Proud residents young and old filled the streets as the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Thorney Island marched into St Peter's Square led by a HVM Stormer vehicle on St George's Day itself (April 23).

It was part of week-long celebrations with talks, exhibitions and a festival market of arts, crafts and food held to round off the week on Sunday (April 26) in the South Street car park.

Each member of the regiment, 15 Korean war veterans and Chelsea pensioners were given a red rose to mark the battle of the Imjin River in the Korean war, which is also remembered on April 23 every year.

More than 2,000 people turned out for the event in a red and white clad St Peter's Square.

Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray helped organise the celebrations.
"It's absolutely amazing," he said. "The number of people has been brilliant. We had many more people than we thought.

"I think it struck a cord with people. People have shown their pride in the military in public and there were people crying, tears rolling down their cheeks.

"The people of Emsworth have always been proud of our association with the military but this is the first time we have had tanks rolling up and down the street."

Lieutenant Corporal Mike Kelly said: "Today's parade was an absolutely wonderful parade. It supports and secures the links 47 Regiment has with Emsworth.

"The majority of soldiers are from the local area, it just secures our link with that community.

"We have had the opportunity over the last 12 months to have soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan on parade in Chichester and on Thorney Island.

"This was an additional one with St George's Day which was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate that as well as Imjin day, which is a celebration of the battle of Imjin with old soldiers and the current soldiers from the 25170 battery which is the Imjin battery."

To see a video of the St George's Day celebrations click here.

Pupils from all the Emsworth's primary schools, and Glenwood school were involved in the day by singing a song as the regiment stood to attention.

They also got the chance to look inside the HVM Stormer vehicle which led the parade into the square.

Donations made at the parade and at a last night at the proms event held on Saturday at St James Church raised more than £2,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

Cllr Gibb-Gray added: "We have celebrated all the good things about England, music, and food and remembering past heroes so to speak and it has been a very joyous occasion.

"We hope to take the very best elements out of what we have done this time and replicate them in future years."