Freedom of the City Parade 25 April 2014 |
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We invite you to make a special note in your diary and join us on Friday 25 April 2014 from 12:00 - 13:00 for the 4 Special Forces Regiment's Freedom of the City Parade in Langebaan!
A little background about the Freedom of the City March
FREEDOM OF ENTRY TO A CITY OR TOWN
After a regiment or unit has been granted the freedom of entry to a city or town, the right of the freedom of entry to the city or town should be exercised at least once in two years. The exercising of the freedom of entry to a city or town entails a march through the city or town along a route predetermined by the city council and the officer commanding the regiment or unit.
The ceremony entails a parade, which usually takes place in front of the city/town hall or any other suitable place, followed by a luncheon or function hosted by the mayor, on conclusion of the parade.
4 Special Forces Regiment received their Freedom of the City on the 27th of September 2003
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The custom of granting the “privilege of the city” to a regiment, so that its troops may march through the city concerned with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed, has a long history. Drums were used to draw attention and flags were flown to announce a call-up for the King of England’s service. In the early days, the troops were allowed to carry spears, later to march with fixed bayonets.
The special rights controlling the entry of armed forces within the boundaries of London were gradually established over a long period. In 1327 King Edward III determined that no citizen could be compelled to go and fight a war outside the city and in 1647 Cromwell’s Parliament promulgated an ordinance to the effect that neither the “Trained Bands” nor the citizens of London were obliged to leave the city for military service.
After the Restoration in 1660, Charles II reaffirmed the ancient rights, which had been honoured by all the Kings before him. But when the Great Fire of London broke out in 1666 and the King wanted his guards to come to the city’s assistance, the Mayor of London refused to give his consent and the military was powerless. The following day the Mayor succumbed to pressure and a regiment was allowed to help combat the fire.
In December 1769 a detachment of guards, having suppressed an uprising at Spitalfields, marched through the centre of London “making warlike appearances, which raised in the minds of peaceable citizens the idea of a town garrisoned by regular troops”. The Mayor objected to the War Secretary who undertook to ensure that the city and its Chief Magistrate would not be insulted in this way again.
In 1842 the rights of the city were again violated, but the representatives of the law maintained that on common law grounds the Mayor and the citizens were entitled to lock the city gates against the King’s troops.
When a detachment of troops wished to cross the city boundaries, they required the Mayor’s permission. No regiment had the unrestricted right to march through the city of London. Some regiments had the privilege of being allowed to pass through the city in a certain manner, once they had been allowed to enter. The Mayor always had to be informed of their desire to cross the boundaries.
In South Africa the custom of tribute being paid to a defence force unit by a government institution can be traced back to the year 1879. After the Zulu War in Natal, the units that had taken part in the war were thanked by means of a Legislative Council resolution. In August 1879 the city of Durban received the “Durban Mounted Rifles” with an impressive display of rejoicing. A few days after the unit’s return some of its members were invited to a dinner by the Mayor. After the Bambata uprising in1906 a resolution was adopted by the Natal Parliament on 31 July of the year, expressing the Council’s gratitude for the troops’ prompt response to the call-up and for the courage and perseverance displayed by all ranks.
In July 1915, after the South West Africa campaign, the Johannesburg City Council sent a certificate to the “Rand Light Infantry” to welcome the unit back to Johannesburg and to congratulate them on their joint effort under the leadership of General Louis Botha. This tribute to a regiment may be regarded as the origin of the South African tradition of conferring the freedom of entry into a city on a defence force unit.
In 1935 the Langenhoven Regiment was entertained by the City Council of Robertson and allowed to march through the town streets. On this occasion the freedom of Robertson was informally conferred on the unit. A defence force order authorising the acceptance of the freedom of a city or town by a defence force unit was eventually issued in 1966.
Thus the awarding of the freedom of entry into a city or town to a regiment or a military unit, is a tradition that dated back to feudal times. Today it symbolises the confidence of the civilian population in the regiment or unit and confers on it the right and privilege of bearing arms while marching through the city or town.
Where the civic authorities of a city or town have formally granted a unit or regiment the freedom of entry into such a city or town in appreciation of services rendered, or for any other reason whatsoever, this action by the civic authorities should be greatly appreciated and the privileges exercised in the spirit of the tradition.
THE SCROLL:
An illuminated scroll is usually prepared by the city council or town council and after it has been read by the town clerk in two official languages, it is presented to the officer commanding the unit or regiment on parade. The scroll should be prominently displayed in the unit or regiment.
Regiments or units may accept the freedom of entry to more than one city or town. Likewise a city or town may award the freedom of entry to more than one regiment or unit. In the latter case the freedom of entry to the city or town should be awarded on separate occasions. It may, however, take place simultaneously.
The first regiment to be granted the freedom of entry to Pretoria was the Pretoria Regiment. The ceremony took place on 1 July 1963.
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