Soldiers are staging a homecoming parade through Battersea next week in recognition of their ties to the area.

The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR) will march along Northcote Road through to St John's Hill next Thursday.

Two hundred officers, who recently served in Afghanistan, are to set off from Northcote Library, in Northcote Road, Battersea at 12pm.

They will proceed along Northcote Road, into St John's Road and St John's Hill, ending at the headquarters of the London Regiment Territorial Army unit opposite Clapham Junction station.

 

The regiment, who were awarded the Freedom of the Borough in 2011, will be accompanied by the band of the Prince of Wales Division.

Wandsworth's links to 2RTR date back to 1917 when men of the 13th Wandsworth Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, provided support to tank units in the Battle of Cambrai.

The 7th (TA) Battalion East Surrey Regiment, 23rd London Regiment, an infantry unit based at Clapham Junction, were formed into two tank battalions of the Royal Tank Regiment regiment - the 42nd Battalion (42RTR) and the 48th Battalion (48RTR).

They played a leading role in the fighting which forced the surrender of all Axis forces in North Africa.

The 48RTR battle colours are now preserved at St Mary's Church in Battersea.

After World War II both units formed to create 2RTR, with the regiment continuing to actively recruit officers and men from Wandsworth.

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: "I am quite sure that many local people will wish to line the parade, wave flags and salute the safe return of these troops from service overseas.

"We are immensely proud to be associated with this regiment.

"Our decision to award it the Freedom of the Borough in 2011 was our way of paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices that have been made over many years by the soldiers who have served in this famous local army unit."

Temporary road closures on the roads that feed onto the route will be closed from 11.50am until the parade ends.

Parking bays along Northcote Road will be suspended from 6am to 1pm.