The first foundations for a new garrison in Colchester have been cut by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.
The minister got behind the controls of a digger yesterday to dig out part of the trench for the senior non-commissioned officers' mess.
And the Red Devils - the freefall display team of the Parachute Regiment - dropped in to deliver an engraved commemorative spade which was presented to the minister.
Town based soldiers from 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, fired a salute to mark the occasion.
The ceremony marks the start of the building of a new garrison which is likely to be completed in 2008 and marks the end of four years' work designing and planning the £2 billion army base.
Published Friday July 2, 2004
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