Irish Regiment marks 60 years in Sudbury with city honour

Groups of the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Regiment marched to Tom Davies Square, where Sudbury’s Mayor, Paul Lefebvre, granted them Freedom of the City. This traditional honour grants permission to march through the streets with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating.

“We wanted to honour that and to welcome and to just reiterate, right, the relationship between the regiment and the City of Greater Sudbury and the importance of the value that we place in the men and women that serve and that live in our community,” said Lefebvre.

The parade took place on Sept. 6, one month before the group’s 110th anniversary and 60th year of being stationed in Sudbury.

“It’s traditional, you know, goes back to the War of the Roses back in England and when, you know, armies used to attack castles,” said Lt. Col. Kirk Langdon.

“It goes from like that and we still carry on that tradition today. It’s obviously we’re not attacking castles or anything, but, you know, just to have that support from the city.”

Landon noted that it is important resident know who the regiment are and that we all work together to keep the region and the country safe.

The 2nd Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Canada has received the Freedom of the City twice before, last taking place in 2015, with former mayor Brian Bigger.

“This is the third time and it’s a huge part of showing our regiment, but also vice versa. Our regiment showing the community our commitment to it,” said 2nd Lt. Dave Deloye.

The parade began at the Irish Regiment base on Riverside Drive, escorted by police, the group marched about 1.7 km to city hall, where the lieutenant colonel knocked on the door asking the mayor for permission to march.

Typically, the chief of police is also present at the ceremony; however, as Chief Sara Cunningham is an honorary member of the regiment, she was given special permission and attended the ceremony in her special Irish Regiment colours.

This historical honour also highlights the members who are currently serving or who have served and now call Sudbury home.

“I just really want to highlight, you know, the respect that our community has for our soldiers and the Irish regiment,” said Cunningham. “The history here, in our city right now, we currently have serving members over in Latvia and again, our community should recognize that, you know, our we do have members locally that are willing to go and serve on our behalf.”

After the mayor inspected the parade and he granted the Freedom of the City. The soldiers marched out of Tom Davies Square back to their base with their bayonets again fixed, colours flying and drums beating.

“When we do parade, it is, very strange to see in Sudbury. So people do stop and they take out their phones, which is good,” said Langdon.

“Everybody’s been polite, everybody’s been so supportive of our unit and us … we’re really appreciative of it.”