On Saturday 9 March, the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Hyman, will confer the honour of Freedom of Entry to the City of York on 34 Field Hospital, who are based at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall.

The parade will form in Duncombe Place ready for the arrival of the Lord Mayor and civic party at 11am.

The Lord Mayor will welcome the soldiers and all the spectators, and will say a few words about the Field Hospital before the Deputy Town Clerk Ian Floyd reads from the freedom scroll, which describes the honour given to the unit.

Following a review of the parade by the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York, 34 Field Hospital will exercise their right of freedom of entry for the first time, and will parade through the city centre with the right, privilege, honour and distinction to march through the streets on all ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, colours flying and bands playing.

The parade will be led through the city centre by the Commanding Officer of 34 Field Hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Jaish Mahan.

The parade will step off from Duncombe Place, and go down Blake Street, Davygate, Parliament Street, High Ousegate, Spurriergate, Coney Street and to St Helen’s Square, where it will pass the front of the Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor and civic party will take the salute. The parade will then continue across St Helen’s Square, and return to Duncombe Place via Blake Street.

The Lord Mayor of York said: “I’m delighted to preside over the award of this honour on 34 Field Hospital who have worked tirelessly to make York proud since the regiment was formed in 1996.”

Road closures will be in place along the route of the parade between 7am and 12.30pm.