Veterans from the 'Glorious Glosters' march through the city
IT has been a famed symbol of the bravery of Gloucestershire men.
And this weekend the reason why our soldiers wear the Back Badge was remembered on the 212th anniversary of the Battle of Alexandria.
Veterans from the 'Glorious Glosters' proudly wore the symbol as they marched through the city on Saturday.
It marked the date when, in 1801, their predecessors, the 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment, fought back to back against the French.
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For their gallantry they were award the unique honour.
Former soldiers from the Gloucestershire Regiment of the British Army took part in an annual service and reunion.
Afterwards, they stepped back into formation to fly their colours as they marched down Southgate Street and gave a salute outside the Guildhall.
Alan Winchester travelled from Plymouth for his second year at the reunion.
The 55-year-old said: "I haven't seen some of them in 25 years so it's great to catch up. It's the first time I have marched through Gloucester as part of the regiment and it felt really good. Once you have been in the regiment you never forget it."
The event was organised by The Regimental Association of
The Rifles and The Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.
Secretary and welfare officer Lawrence Whittle has tracked down 350 veterans over the last three years.
He said: "Sometimes it brings tears to their eyes when they see each other again."
The Gloucestershire Army Cadet band led by the march and Scott McBryde, from the Stroud Valley's branch, was the standard bearer.
He joined the regiment in 1960 and left in 1966, going on to the RAF and then the Ministry of Defence.
The 68-year-old said: "When you talk to people at the reunions it feels like you have never been away.
"The association is a charity so if anyone is in trouble they are always there to help which is good."
The service at St Mary De Crypt was led by Reverend Canon Nikki Arthy and supported by Drybrook Male Voice Choir.
The Back Badge symbol was nearly lost when the Glosters merged into the new 1 Rifles Battalion in 2004, but a campaign led by The Citizen and backed by thousands of readers saved it and it is still proudly worn by The Rifles today.
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