Around 250 soldiers will take part in the parade, including the Minden Band of the Queen's Division and the Corps of Drum of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The battalion's current UK base is in Hounslow but the regiment has historic links with Salford, receiving the Freedom of the City honour in 1974.
The city's schools will be organising trips to line the streets and the Council will be handing out flags to wave. Many Salford families have sons and daughters with careers in the army and this is a chance to salute their bravery, no matter what people might think of the actual war.
"We are delighted that Salford is hosting the parade as it will give people the chance to see the soldiers and welcome them home" says Lieutenant Colonel Mike Glover, North West region Regimental Secretary of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers "but also for the soldiers to be able to express their appreciation for the kind well-wishes and messages of support that have been sent to them while fighting in difficult conditions in Helmand Province."
The battalion served in Afghanistan as part of a larger British formation called 19 Light Brigade. On their arrival back in the UK, Brigadier Tim Radford, Commander of 19 Light Brigade, said: "I expect that 19 Light Brigade's tour will be remembered for the hardest fight the British Army has encountered in Helmand province. But to selectively remember the sacrifice without the progress would be to forget the reason that so many laid down their lives."
For more information on the parade, including information on road closures go to www.salford.gov.uk/homecomingparade.
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