THE pipes and drums of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ceremonial unit are preparing to leave for the City of Arnhem, in Holland, later this week to take part in the 65th anniversary commemorations of Operation Market Garden - part of the W

THE pipes and drums of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ceremonial unit are preparing to leave for the City of Arnhem, in Holland, later this week to take part in the 65th anniversary commemorations of Operation Market Garden - part of the WW2 allied plans for the liberation of Holland from Nazi Germany in 1944.

The unit under the command of Drum Major Ian Washburn and with additional support from the City of Exeter Pipe Band, Kernow Pipes and Drums and the North Devon Pipers will travel to Arnhem on Thursday September 17.

Over a three day period they will be taking part in a number of veterans parades culminating on Sunday September 20 with a service at the veterans' cemetery in Oosterbeek and a march past on the Waal Bridge in Nijmegen in front of HRH Prince Phillip and HRH Queen Beatrix.

Peter Sandel from the ceremonial unit said: "The unit from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service consider it an honour and a privilege to be invited to this special event which commemorates the fallen allied soldiers from the WW2 conflict, especially at a time when we have our present day servicemen engaged in conflicts overseas and away from their families and friends.