Page 101 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association
It has been an eventful year, containing highs and lows; with the lighting of the Beacon on Barr Beacon, one of the highest points in the West Midlands in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, and sadly we were
to mourn the Death of the Queen so soon afterwards. In our own Regimental world the amalgamation of the 1st & 2nd Battalions
is to be regretted. The Association is now back into its stride with Branch meetings and other activities taking place.
The summer saw the Branches from Kidderminster and Walsall join together to feature at the Armed Forces Day at Himley Park. The beginning of the day was slow and we wondered if people would stay away because of fear of Covid, but we need not have worried’ The sun began to come out and so did the visitors! We had a very successful day and met many old members of the Regiment. The success of the day
is due to the enthusiasm of the members and their families who come each year to help and encourage people to spend their money on ‘OUR’ stall, besides promoting the Mercian family.
MVRA Walsall Branch Members along with Walsall & Bloxwich SRA Members attended the Wreath laying Ceremony of Remembrance at Barr Beacon War Memorial on 11th November at 11am.
The Memorial was rededicated in 2014 to all Service Personnel who have lost their lives since the First World War.
One of the highest points in the West Midlands, Barr Beacon means ‘a prominent hill used for signals’ and throughout the centuries has been a link in the chain of fires announcing invasions and in later years to celebrate Royal Jubilees, including the
Platinum Jubilee of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
November Remembrance week saw all the Branches committed in some form. Rugeley Branch led by Mr Richard Bates organised the Parade and the service in
the town, Mr Mick Webster, of the Walsall branch read the Citation at the Town’s memorial. Association Members took part in the day of Remembrance, be it carrying the Branch Standard, or laying a wreath.
Nottingham Branch
The Nottingham Branch has been revitalised under the leadership of Mr. Peter Mc Gann and has recently undertaken a tour covering World War 1 Battle sites, Commonwealth and German cemeteries, then finally Waterloo Battlefield.
Their mode of transport was a Mini Cooper belonging to John Goodacre
who we would like to thank for this tour covering France and Belgium. He has done a fantastic job, it could not have been easy for him with 3 pensioners to look after!! Peter, Andy Owen & Cavan Owen, on their final night they met up with ex Private / Officer Cadet Robbie Boyd from D Coy
1 MERCIAN (Nottingham) who now lives
in Brussels, Robbie is the son of the late Major Roy Boyd, OC D Coy, we are going back as far as 1983 when we knew Robbie, his status now as follows: Robbie joined
the Regulars and retired as a Brigadier in December 2021, he originally started in
the Irish Rangers and then commanded 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regiment prior to his retirement from a Staff appointment in NATO, it was a pleasure
to meet with him and they all had a great chat, They plan to meet up again in the near future when he visits Nottingham. Peter took 240 + photos of their tour but was
told that he can only upload 80 so he has hand picked them at present. They visited the following Dunkirk Museum, Dunkirk Memorial, Dunkirk Cemetery, Wormhoudt Massacre Site, Yorkshire Trench & Dug out, Cement House, Tyne Cot, Saint- Julien, Brooding Soldier, Artillery Wood, Hooge Crater & Museum, Hooge Cemetery, Sanctuary Wood, Bedford House, Essex Farm, Irish Memorial, Ypres Memorial, Flanders Field Museum, Menin Gate (Last Post) German Military Cemetery, Black Watch Corner, Australian Commonwealth
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