Page 87 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Just one example of medals from our collection whose history has been digitised. Medals belonged to RSM Frank Leonard Stoton MSM.
Regimental Secretary (Nottingham) about RHQ and the important work that they do. They also had a tour of the museum gallery given by the Curator and included a chance for them to handle the medals of WOI (RSM) Marc Giles CGC.
We had quite a busy summer period, with two students who were on placement with us from the University of Nottingham. Calvin & James undertook three-week placements in which they were tasked with scanning
several tasks and contributed to our medals database project. Even more impressive, as he does not have full sight in both eyes and is registered as blind.
Donations: We have had several interesting donations. The first of those is the archive of CSM Harry Heath of 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters. Harry enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters
in 1922 and was promoted up to CSM by 1935. He was involved in organizing
The new display in soldiers stories in connection with the fall of Tobruk and the capture of El Alamin
The uniform was the first cadet uniform for the museum. John went onto to join the regulars when old enough and served with the Foresters in Germany and Malaya as a National Serviceman. His archive included photographs, his Merit Award whilst in the Cadets and paperwork regarding his service as a National Serviceman. An interesting donation to mention is that of A Coy Flag WFR. Thanks to the anonymous donor
who sent it in to us. Its donation is much appreciated as we are every trying to grow the section of our collection relating to the WFR. If you have anything you wish to donate please get in touch with us. And finally, we have recently received the medals of Pte Richard Welcher (4569) of the 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters. Pte Welcher served with 2nd Battalion in Tirah, where Henry Pennell was awarded the VC. Pte Welcher served in Boer War as well and reached the age of 101.
At the end of November, it was announced that the Trust that ran Nottingham Castle went into receivership. The Trustees met with the Council and were assured for the safe keeping of our gallery with a message being relaying in various forms, to the wider regimental family. It is hoped that the Council will be able to re- open the Castle (and our gallery) sometime in 2023.
in archival documents, which have never been digitized before. This
is for the preservation of the documents
We had quite a busy summer period, with two students who were on placement with us from the University of Nottingham
the main Regimental Reunion in 1939. Harry remained with the 1st Battalion throughout
the Second World War and discharged in 1945 after the end of the war. Harry passed away in 1962. Amongst the huge archive donated to us, were photographs of the reunion, his time
but also so that one
day we can provide
greater public access
to these documents
through our website.
We also welcomed
Andy Stowell, a Navy
Veteran, who was part of a program called Waterloo Uncovered. Waterloo Uncovered is an independent charity which works with veterans from all of the services either on archaeological digs of the Waterloo site and offer structured, accredited courses. Andy volunteered for the placement and as we were his nearest military museum, we were approached to host Andy, who travelled every week from Mansfield. He helped with
in Bermuda with the Foresters, details of his award of MBE and his service history. The MBE was awarded for his role in organizing the reunion in Bordon. Another interesting donation was in relation to Cadet and later soldier, Drum Major John Leslie Brown. Nottinghamshire Cadets were only formed in 1946 and Drum Major Brown was one of those first intakes of Cadets. We now have his uniform and archive in the collection.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
85