PlayTA celebrates 100 years of service
Published: Saturday, 21 June 2008, 5:31PM
The Territorial Army (TA) has celebrated its centenary with a spectacular pageant in central London.
Thousands of active and retired reservists flocked to Horse Guards Parade and the Mall.
The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Earl of Wessex joined around 6,000 spectators for the show, featuring dramatic re-enactments from the force's history.
The event comes in the week that three TA personnel were killed with a colleague in an explosion during operations in the Middle East.
SAS reservists Corporal Sean Robert Reeve, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Paul Stout died on Tuesday along with regular soldier Corporal Sarah Bryant - the first British woman to be killed on active service in Afghanistan.
Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt, a guest at the event, said he "saluted" every TA man and woman, adding: "Nearly 15,000 territorials have served in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside the regular Army since the start of the current campaigns."
He added: "And it is a sombre thought that in that time, 11 Territorial Army soldiers have lost their lives.
"As Chief of the General Staff I continue to applaud the exploits of the TA with great admiration and pride."
The Prince is due to host a reception at St James' Palace for 1,000 TA personnel after receiving their salute.
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