THE highest civic honour that can be bestowed upon the Royal Navy was exercised in Barry last weekend, with the HMS Cambria exercising their right to march with arms in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The honour stems from medieval times when fortresses were necessary to protect inhabitants from attack. Groups of armed men and women were refused entry to a city or town unless citizens were confident they meant no harm and granting freedom became a mark of trust.

The Freedom of the Vale of Glamorgan was awarded to HMS Cambria in 2012 so they mustered a Marching Platoon and the Band of the Royal Marines, Plymouth to ceremoniously march through the town centre.

The parade started in Kings Square, where the guard commander invited the Vale mayor, Councillor Stuart Egan and Sir Brooke Boothby, deputy Lord lieutenant of South Glamorgan, to inspect the Marching Platoon.

An address then followed from Cllr Egan and Commander Steve Fry, commanding officer at HMS Cambria, offering thanks for the mutual continued support.

Father Ben Andrews, the padre at HMS Cambria, led a service before the parade left Kings Square.

Crowds lined the route along Holton Road, as the Band of the Royal Marines, Plymouth led the parade towards the Civic Offices, where they saluted officials on the dais.

The parade then gathered on the forecourt of the Civic Offices, before Cllr Anthony Powell, the Vale council’s armed forces champion, and Cdre Jamie Miller CBE, gave speeches.

The Armed Forces Day Flag was then raised, before renditions of the Welsh National Anthem and National Anthem.

Cllr Egan said: “It is pleasing to see so many people turning out to celebrate HMS Cambria’s freedom of the Vale of Glamorgan. We are proud of our relationship with them and to have the opportunity to thank them for their service.”