Page 93 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

CENOTAPH
Mike Huntriss
Remembrance Weekend has always been
a special occasion. Saturday evening watching the Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall with a tear in the eye respecting those who have gone before. Hoping for good weather on the Sunday with thin crisp autumn sunshine and leaves falling. Chester Cathedral with the crowds
in St Werburgh Street, two minutes silence and a march past the Lord Mayor on saluting dais at the Town Hall then raising a glass in the Regimental Club and home for a late lunch.
It was only when I reached Trafalgar Square at 09:15 AM that I realised the size of the operation - over 10,000 veterans and other organisations parading. There was a “bit of a queue” getting onto Horse Guards Parade as everyone had an entry barcode and needed to produce photo ID. Out of the crowds, I heard the familiar gruff tones of Trevor Taylor. I pretended I hadn’t heard but he had me in his sights – no escape. Turns out he was an old hand at the parade and soon had me sorted out.
Although I had been warned there
was quite a lot of hanging around, I had expected well organised ranks with Guards drill sergeants putting us through our paces as a warm up before we were allowed onto Whitehall for the main event. The 22nd contingent formed up, in reality had a great chat and catch up.
After the wreath laying by the Royal Family, Politicians, Senior Military Officers and representatives of the Commonwealth we could hear the thudding of a base drum and knew it would soon be time to step off. During the wait I met several soldiers and officers from the Staffords and Worcester Foresters who I last saw at the Depot in 1970! Am I the only one not to have aged?
Tony Twiss gave “22nd Quick March” and we were off. We mainly stayed in step hoping we would appear on TV with a BBC commentary – sadly not this year. “22nd Eye’s left” at the Cenotaph, band playing, swagging to the music, still in step, “eyes front”, crowds cheering, back toward Horse Guards, “22nd Eyes Right” for Prince William then halt and fall out.
CATHEDRAL BENCHES
Early this year we were contacted, through Maj Gen (Ret’d) Keith Skempton, by Chester Cathedral who informed us that the benches originally donated 22 years ago
were at the end of their life and would need to be removed. The timing of 22 years could not have been more fitting, but it is fair to say there are quite a lot of benches still in service at the cathedral which were donated by CRA Branches at the same time and are still going strong.
Following discussions with the cathedral they very kindly agreed to allow the replacement of 2 benches originally donated by branches which are no longer active with donations from branches formed since the originals were put in place, South Wirral Branch and Halton Branch very quickly agreed to donate £400.00 each. It was also agreed that Nantwich Branch would replace the bench they had originally donated
22 years before and again they donated £400.00. The fourth bench was replaced with one in memory of Brigadier Mike Dauncey DSO DL with the £400.00 donated by the CRA itself.
The next time you are at the cathedral have a look around the benches and see which branches have donated plus of course the one for our own Brigadier Dauncey.
CHESHIRE REGIMENT
ASSOCIATION GOLF SOCIETY
The Cheshire Regiment Association
Golf Society came together with twenty members and four guests to play its long- awaited away event, which included the Gone But Not Forgotten (GBNF) Trophy.
The event was held at Shrigley Hall Hotel, Macclesfield, from 7th to 9th June 22, playing three rounds of golf.
Day 1 – Due to an error in planning by the organiser (Ian Owen) travelling back from Portugal, Day 1 saw 19 players arrive and play. After registering with the society, the captain, (John Eedle) and having refuelled with a bite to eat, buggies and clubs were prepared and ready to start play at 1200 hrs. The course was in fantastic condition and the greens were everyone’s nemesis and tough to crack and the scores proved that, but an enjoyable day was had by all and being in the company of fellow 22nd
the banter was nonstop. After checking in and time in the bar, dinner was served with sandbags being pulled up and lanterns swung which continued through to the early hours by some.
Day 2 – With the five extra players now arrived, I took the reins for the remainder of the event from John. We were all eager to get out and play golf; John Walkman especially. The weather was kind with a couple of showers but nothing that would spoil the spectacular views across into Derbyshire, the City of Manchester and of the course itself.
Day 3 – Prior to Dinner, the society gathered in the courtyard where John Eedle gave a speech about all those that have Gone But Not Forgotten and raised a glass of Port to our past comrades. During dinner of day 2, prizes for Nearest the pin and Longest Drive for day 1 & 2 were presented: Day 1 Nearest pin, Mal Lipton, Day 2 Tony Black and Ian Wooley. Day 1 Longest drive, Wayne Brooks, Day 2 Ian Owen x 2.
Once all the formalities were completed, it was back to enjoying the evening of liquid refreshments well into the early hours.
MAJOR EDDIE PICKERING MBE
After 40 years of working in different roles in the Cheshire Regiment, this year Major Eddie Pickering handed over the one that he did for the longest time, that of CRA Secretary.
On graduation as a Bandmaster, he
was told that he had been nominated to be Bandmaster of the Cheshire Regiment. There was just a little matter of an interview with the Commanding Officer to get through, to finalise matters. After telling his life story first to the CO then the 2IC and finally, the RSM, he returned to Kneller Hall confident that as the CO had given him a set of clear instructions for the future, he had got the job, so was looking forward
to joining at the end of February to go to Ballykelly. Shortly afterwards, at Kneller Hall, a senior General was visiting, and he was introduced to him as the Bandmaster designate for the Cheshire Regiment. He
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