Essex’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets were proud to attend the official unveiling of the new Airborne Soldier Statue in Colchester on Friday 31st July.
The life-size bronze statue marks 25 years of the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade being based at Merville Barracks in Colchester, and honours airborne forces personnel past and present.
The cadets accompanied His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst at the ceremony, which was also attended by serving personnel, veterans, civic dignitaries and the public.
The Lord-Lieutenant appoints her own cadets from the Sea and Royal Marine Cadets, Army Cadets, Royal Air Force Cadets and the St John Ambulance Cadets. These cadets escort the Lord Lieutenant during her visits to their establishments and on her other official duties.
The Airborne Soldier Statue honours Colchester’s strong military heritage and the service of airborne forces. The statue depicts a soldier in full parachute kit, ready to jump into action. It was made possible thanks to fundraising activities and donations from serving soldiers, veterans and the public. The statue is located on Flagstaff Road in Colchester, between Merville Barracks and the city centre.
