THE British Army will walk side by side with Sikhs in Derby as they join the annual Vaisakhi procession for the first time.Soldiers will be among the estimated 12,000 people taking to the streets as part of the procession through Pear Tree.
They are taking part in the traditional religious occasion to mark the ties between the Army and the Sikh community.
Councillor Ranjit Banwait helped to arrange the Army's involvement after being approached by representatives from the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, based in Princes Street, Derby.
He said: "I was in the local Territorial Army for a short period to get a taste of Army life, so when I was contacted by Gurpal Singh from the temple, asking me if I could pass on an invite to my contacts in the British Army, I was delighted to do so.
"There's an historic link between Sikhs and the British Army going back a long time. Sikhs fought bravely, not only in places like North Africa and Italy in the Second World War with the British 8th Army, but also in the terrible conditions of the trenches of the First World Ward in France, serving alongside British comrades.
"Having the Army at the parade will help celebrate old friendships and forge new ones."
The parade will be held on April 19. It starts at 2pm from the Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, in Stanhope Street, and continue through the city, passing by the other Sikh Gurdwara in Derby and back to Stanhope Street by 4.30pm.
Mr Singh said he was pleased the Army would be joining in.
"It is really to honour the 300-year relationship we have with the British Army," he said.
"This is the first time it has happened. The Army will also be setting up displays in the Sikh Heritage Centre in Princes Street to tell people about the contributions ethnic minorities have made to the Army."
Vaisakhi is the holiest festival in the Sikh calendar as it commemorates the birth of the Sikh Nation.
Major Mel Pears said around 30 soldiers, including a colonel and three majors, would be taking part in the parade.
He said: "When we got the invite we really, really wanted to take part in this. It is all part of our engagement with the Sikh community, taking part in their events and them taking part in ours and being in the British Army."