OLD soldiers from The Lincolns have been out in force to raise cash for today’s heroes coming home from Afghanistan.
The 2nd Battalion Royal Anglians have the honorary title “The Poachers” as they recruit from counties including Lincolnshire and are natural successors to The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment, which amalgamated with another in 1961.
Ken Willows, one of the last of The Lincolns, chairs Spalding branch of The Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Association and he and fellow members had a market stall tombola in Spalding and raised £239.
The money will go to the Royal Anglians’ benevolent fund to help injured soldiers and their families.
Mr Willows said the battalion is currently returning from Afghanistan and Cyprus and will be stationed at Cottesmore.
He said: “After their leave, they will be taking up some serious training and next year they will possibly be going to Afghanistan and Cyprus again.”
The Lincolns will be joined by civic heads from around the county and top brass from The Royal Anglian Regiment on October 6 when a £25,000 memorial to The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment is unveiled on the site of the old Sobraon Barracks in Lincoln.
Members of Spalding branch of The Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Association will travel to the ceremony in a coach paid for by Coun Angela Newton.
Coun Newton organised a mass donation from 16 district councillors to give a £1,000 boost to the veterans’ fundraising.
Mr Willows said Spalding branch raised about £4,000 for the memorial thanks to the public’s generosity, including donations given at supermarket collections.