A borough-based military intelligence unit, which delivers intelligence support to frontline operations, has been granted Freedom of the Borough.

At last night’s full council, members granted the Freedom to 63 Military Intelligence Company, based at the Army Reserve Centre in Stourbridge.

63 Military Intelligence Company is one of three military intelligence sub-units across the region, which belong to 6 Military Intelligence Battalion and draws a significant number of its recruits from within Dudley borough. It has a contingent of 94 reservists and specialises in training them to become military intelligence analysts to support complex operations. 

Reservists have been deployed to work alongside their regular Army Intelligence Corps colleagues in areas of conflict. Councillor Alan Taylor, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

"As an authority, this is the highest honour we can bestow to deserving candidates and it’s wonderful that members supported the decision to grant Freedom to 63 Military Intelligence Company in unison. 

"We are forever indebted to the efforts of our armed services including reservists who give up their time to support the work of regular personnel. 63 Military Intelligence Company will be presented with their Freedom scroll later this year and will be forever remembered for their contributions.”

Last year, 63 Military Intelligence Company hosted a reception following the unveiling of a statue in Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge honouring an Army intelligence officer.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge unveiled the memorial to Major Frank Foley, an intelligence officer who saved the lives of thousands of Jewish people at the start of the Second World War. Major Louise Smith, Officer Commanding 63 Military Intelligence Company, said:

"We are extremely proud to have this honour bestowed by Dudley Council in recognition of the service provided by our personnel. The company has been based in Stourbridge since April 2014 and has become a familiar face at community and military events in the West Midlands.

"We continue to recruit personnel both from the local community and the wider Midlands area and look forward to celebrating this honour in due course."

63 Military Intelligence Company is the fifth military organisation to be granted Freedom of the Borough since 2000. An event to formally present the Freedom scroll will be organised later this year.