025 - 184 - In 1987 Ordnance Depot Antwerp was uniquely honoured by the people of Herentals (20 miles east of An ...

In 1987 Ordnance Depot Antwerp was uniquely honoured by the people of Herentals (20 miles east of Antwerp) when they granted the Unit the Freedom of the Town. In January 1991 it was announced that the Depot and Its associated Storage Sites at Broechem, Het Loo and Olen would close on 31 March 1991. One of the first instructions given by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant A T J Stone RAOC was that Ordnance Depot Antwerp would mark the Depot closure with a Final Freedom Parade that the people of Herentals would always remember. On Thursday 19 September 1991 Ordnance Depot Antwerp marched through the streets of Herentals with fixed bayonets and swords drawn. Supported by the Staff Band of the RAOC, the unit inspected in the Grote Markt Herentals (Market Square) by Major General D F E Botting CBE Director General Ordnance Services and the Burgemeester (Mayor) of Herentals De Heer C A de Peuter. Following the inspection and farewell speeches by Major General Botting and the Burgemeester, watched by a crowd of over one thousand townspeople and invited guests the Depot led by the CO under the watchful eye of the RSM WO1 S T Walford RAOC marched past, the Salute was taken by the DGOS and the Burgemeester.