Welcome parade for 6,000 soldiers

The brigade has been based in Germany since 1968

More than 300 troops have led a special parade at an Army garrison in North Yorkshire to mark the largest return of a brigade from overseas for 40 years.

About 6,000 servicemen and women in the 4th Mechanized Brigade have moved from their barracks in Osnabruck to Catterick Garrison near Richmond.

After months of moving, the soldiers - who returned from Iraq earlier this year - held the homecoming parade.

The brigade was based in Germany for 27 years but the barracks have now closed.

'Coming home'

More than �330m has been spent on expanding Catterick Garrison with an extra 2,000 bed spaces for single soldiers, new facilities for officers and a new sports centre.

Brigadier Julian Free, Commander of 4th Mechanized Brigade, said: "The brigade is sad to have left Onsabruck Garrison, where we forged close links with the local community and many many many friends, but we are excited to be arriving in Catterick.

"For many soldiers, the move to Catterick will genuinely feel like coming home.

"We look forward to enjoying life in the beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire and building strong links with the community."

The brigade was formed during World War II.

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