BBC News | UK | Flood hero soldiers honoured

The people of York have paid tribute to soldiers who helped in flood relief efforts by awarding them the Freedom of the City.

More than 200 soldiers from 2 Signal Regiment, based at Imphal Barracks, York, played a vital role in the sandbagging operation to stop flood waters spreading in October and November.

They boosted a civil emergency operation launched after the River Ouse burst its banks and flooded parts of York.

Lord Mayor Shan Braund presented the Freedom scroll to Lieutenant Colonel Ian Cameron-Mowat in a ceremony on Saturday.

The soldiers marched through the city with the scroll to exercise their Freedom for the first time.

The army helped in York's sandbagging operation after floods
The army reinforced York's flood defences

Lieutenant Colonel Cameron-Mowat said: "The Freedom of the City of York is a great honour for the regiment and one which we will be proud of forever.

"The city has been good to the regiment over the years and in return we have been proud to help with charity work and, more recently, to play a part in the flood relief effort."

The regiment has recently undertaken several tours in the Balkans and the Falkland Islands.


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