Under the Local Government Act 1972, we are allowed to grant the Freedom of the City to those who deserve the honour. We choose to honour military units with a close connection to the city.

The honour grants the military unit freedom 'to march through the streets of the city with bayonets fixed, drums beating and Colours flying'.

The following organisations have been granted Freedom of the City and exercise their rights regularly:

Military units granted the Freedom of the City of Exeter

Organisation	Granted
The Royal Marines	Apr 1977
243 (Wessex) Multi-role Medical Regiment (formerly 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital – originally granted in 2002)	Jan 2024
The Rifles (formerly The Devonshire & Dorset Regiment – originally granted in 1953)	Jun 2007
The Coldstream Guards	Jul 2011
Royal Air Force Station, Brize Norton	Jul 2013
HMS Defender, Royal Navy	Mar 2014

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