force with their families even though it was Father’s Day. The Service of Dedication of the Standards and the Memorial Bench set the mood for the coming together of the Regimental family for a Service of Remembrance. The setting could not have been better. We were delighted to have with us as guests Brig Sharpe, Colonel of The Regiment, The Director of the National Memorial Arboretum, Col Ashworth, Regimental Secretary, and Mrs Ashworth, Maj Woodcroft, QM 4 MERCIAN, and Mrs Woodcroft, Capt Stewart 3 MERCIAN and WO1 (RSM) and Mrs Whittock 4 MERCIAN. The members of The Cheshire, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters and Staffordshire Regiments Associations helped to make the day a truly Mercian day.
We are indebted to many people including the staff of the National Memorial Arboretum who gave us unlimited support and advice. Without the grant from the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ fund, we would have found it very difficult to organise the day. The Band of The Mercian Regiment, by kind permission of the Commanding Officer the 4th Battalion, helped to give the day that unique military flavour. The Staffordshire Cadets again very kindly gave us administrative support and, last but not least, our Padre, The Reverend Prebendary Bob Cheadle who has been with us since our formation in 1967, provided heavenly links. To everyone involved a very big thank you.
Some members travelled considerable distances to be present. There was a point when the parable of the loaves and little fishes came vividly to mind. Would we be able to feed everyone? Should we have had a bigger marquee? It was wonderful to see so many members both Regular and Volunteer together once again. We may have grown older but we could still recognise one another. The playing of “Under the Double-Headed Eagle” still brings out the pride and swagger in the march past. Thank you all once again for being there to make it such a unique occasion.
Supper Evening in October. Again, this was very well attended by fellow Mercians from Walsall, Wolverhampton, Lichfield, Tamworth, Rugeley, Kidderminster and Nottingham Branches.
Laying a Wreath at the Association Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas November 2009
Burton on Trent
It has been a very full year for the Burton Branch. We have been fully committed to provide welfare boxes for the Burton Members of the Normandy Company of 4 MERCIAN whilst they were in Afghanistan. Members of the Branch Committee, with staff of Sainsbury’s in Burton, were guests of the Mayor of Burton, Councillor Geoff Morrison, at a Reception in the Mayor’s Parlour at Burton Town Hall for the launch and handover of the Comfort Boxes to Capt Chris Hymas, PSAO of F Company. A personal letter from the Mayor was included in each box conveying the thanks and best wishes from the local Community and all those involved in the fund raising. On their return from Afghanistan, members of F Company attended an Association meeting to thank the members for their support.
The Branch made a donation in memory of the late Harry Coburn (one time CSM at Burton) towards a new narrow boat for Northampton Sailability of which Harry was Chairman and an avid supporter. The fund reached its target of around £16,000 and a new boat has been purchased and named “Harry Coburn”. On 18th April, Mary, his widow, and their sons, Nathan and Mathew, were present when the boat was launched at Pitsford Reservoir, thus fulfilling Harry’s long-held dream. Concerns have been expressed at the lack of funding being suffered by the local Army Cadet Force. The Branch decided to send a donation of £100 to help them. Members of the Branch paraded with other Branches at the ANZAC Memorial day at Cannock. This was followed by a Reception at the Royal British Legion, Brereton. It is intended to parade again in 2010.
The standards being blessed by the Association Padre, The Reverend Prebendary Bob Cheadle MBE TD
March past of the newly dedicated Standards followed by the members
148 October 2010
Members and friends of the Branch enjoyed a very rewarding visit to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and St George’s Church in Whittington Barracks and one of the highlights of the year was the Dedication of Branch Standards at The National Memorial Arboretum in June. An excellent turnout from the Branch joined the 3rd Battalion on their Freedom March through Burton followed by a wonderful Reception at the Town Hall, hosted by the Mayor, Councillor Geoff Morrison. The Branch is supporting the newly-formed 4th Battalion Corps of Drums at Burton. Burton was the home of the Drums of 6th Battalion The North Staffs and 1st Battalion The Mercian Volunteers. Any members who are interested in this venture are asked to contact Lt Col D G Bridges at Burton. The Branch held the Annual Curry
The Branch Standard has been very active during the year, attending many ceremonies in support of both the Association and the Regiment thanks to the Standard bearers. A small number of the Members have unfortunately experienced poor health and we wish them a speedy recovery. Malcolm Bowers, who, for many years, was the Regimental Dog handler, has retired. We thank him for all the years he has represented the Regiment and we hope that his health will improve so that he can enjoy his retirement to the full. The Branch is appreciative of the help and support given by the team at F Company 4 MERCIAN. All ex-Mercian Volunteers are welcome to our meetings and activities.
Burton on Trent Branch with friends at St George’s Chapel, Lichfield]
Kidderminster
The Branch has been very active during the year. The main emphasis has been supporting the troops in Afghanistan - in particular our own Regiment. The campaign was spearheaded by the Chairman, Graham Bird, Colin Casewell, Martin Southall and Trevor Newman with the involvement of Branch Members. Local firms and organisations were contacted and were very generous. As always, the people of Kidderminster backed the appeal and donations were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals. A charity night of “pure northern soul” music was held at the D, D, S & S Social Club in Bromsgrove. The Band and the Club gave their services free so that all the takings went to the fund to provide welfare boxes for the Kidderminster members of Normandy Company 4 MERCIAN during their deployment. On their safe return, the Branch held a presentation evening for the members, together with their wives, partners and girlfriends at the Shrubbery. Among the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Kidderminster and Lin and Rachael from “Frontline Support”. Each member was presented with an inscribed tankard to commemorate the deployment. Interestingly, the TA Centre now displays two commemorative boards, one of which lists the names of the Volunteers who went to South Africa and the other of which lists the names of the more recent deployments to Bosnia and Afghanistan. The Branch would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project.
The Branch helped to launch the Poppy Appeal at the Merryhill Shopping Centre, Brierley
The Mercian Eagle
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