THEY have been proudly parading through Bicester for more than 70 years.

But yesterday the town’s 23 Pioneer Regiment, which served most recently in Afghanistan, said the final goodbye at St David’s Barracks to mark its disbandment.

The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, presided over the event at the Graven Hill base.

Soldiers and the military band marched around Parade Square before being addressed by the Duke, who is the patron of the Royal Pionoeers Corps Association.

  • Our top stories

Two ceremonial axes – used instead of regimental colours – and the red and green flag were handed over to serving soldiers from the Royal Logistics Corp.

Major Will Steel, 40, has been a member of the regiment for 17 years.

He said: “It has been an incredibly emotional day.”

The major, who is second in command of the battalion, co-led the parade. Friends, family, veterans and primary schoolchildren from Five Acres Primary School, Ambrosden, came out to show support for the soldiers.

Sarah Casey, 38, was there to support her husband Paul, 41. He has served in the regiment for more than 18 years.

She said: “It is an important day to remember the regiment for what they were and for what they have done over the last few years. We are very proud, it is a sad day.”

The couple will be some of the last people on the base to leave next August when the new regiments take over, the 1 Close Support Regiment and the 21 Signals Squadron.

Laura Aspinall, 30, was at the event yesterday to support her husband WO2 Rob Aspinall who has been in the regiment for 17 years.

The mother-of-one, who lives in the base’s married quarters in Ambrosden, said: “We are all really proud.”

Speaking about her time on the base, she said: “It has been really good and I have made some fantastic friends.”

Wearing full dress uniform, the Duke of Gloucester praised the work of the regiment and encouraged families to “cultivate the friendships” they had made over the years. He ended his speech saying: “Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer.”

Andreya Teasdale, 17, spent 12 years living on the base as her dad, Pete, was a corporal in the regiment for 22 years.

The Horton-cum-Studley resident said: “The regiment has been part of my life and they are like an extended family, which is why I have come along to show support.

The barracks have been home to 23 Pioneer Regiment, part of the Royal Logistics Corp, since 1941.

On July 27 they paraded though Bicester to bid farewell to the residents.

  • As part of his trip, the Duke also visited Oxford Technologies LTD in Abingdon and CABI in Wallingford

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.