Page 109 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Left to right = Dr. Martin Levermore M.B.E Deputy Lieutenant, Mark Rayson, Helen Rayson M.B.E, Cncllr Phil Bateman M.B.E, Cncllr Greg Brackenridge, Mayoress Elaine Hadley-Howell, His Worship the Mayor Cncllr Phil Page, Barry Gotheridge Branch Standard Bearer, WO2 Greg Hedges with Colour Sergeant Watchman V, Vice-Lord Lieutenant Dr Beverley Lindsay O.B.E OD, Peter Clarke Branch President,
Chris Whitehouse, acting Branch Secretary, Cncllr Mary Page, Steve Yates, Branch Chairman
Mayor of Wolverhampton unveils the Silent Soldier with Barry Gotheridge, Branch Standard Bearer
the ‘old guys’ decided it was “now or never” and at 81 years old they probably wouldn’t get another chance, so they too joined the veterans march. Well done Peter Clarke and Gordon Partridge.
In the city centre, we were honoured that the Mayor came along to unveil the “Silent Soldier” statue that we sponsored to be placed in St Peter’s memorial gardens. This is the place that the “Penn Court Recruits”, 1st/6th South Staffords, were given a civic send off in 1915. Out of all men standing there, only 6 managed to go all through the war.
These are just a few of the events throughout a busy year for the Wolverhampton branch and we hope that the next one will be just as fulfilling for all our veterans.
AFD events attended by the Range team in Featherstone and Hednesford.
in Wolverhampton and is now becoming one of the main events in the City. It was attended by 152 members and families and started off with a wonderful display by the Mercian Corps of Drums. This was followed after dinner by a live band, encouraging
August once again saw the range deployed to the Military History Weekend at Cannock Chase, together with Hednesford Branch, where a couple of the young guns camped overnight and
the 81-year-old Vice
President, Gordon
Partridge, decided he
needed to keep an eye
on them and camped
out with them. Needless
to say, he has since
declared “Never Again,
my days under canvas
are well and truly over!”
It seems you’re never too old to learn.
The next major event for the branch was the Annual Black-Tie dinner in October, which was held at the Pavilion
everyone to let their hair down and enjoy dancing the rest of the evening away.
November of
course is given over to remembrance events, both locally, and as has become the norm, in London. Several of the branch ‘young guns’
joined the ten thousand veterans in London to march past the cenotaph in memory of the fallen. As this year was the hundred- year anniversary of the end of WW1, two of
...encouraging everyone to let their hair down and enjoy dancing the rest of the evening away.
Stafford Branch Notes
Stafford branch had a very good year and held several events. Due to the weather being excellent, the events drew good crowds and visitors to the Branch stand. You really cannot miss a Staffordshire Regimental stand. Bright yellow. The public in Stafford continue to support us whenever we are out and about. The main events were as follows:
Armed Forces Day Stafford
We were in situ and set up for 0900hrs and had the airsoft pistol range set up with our Branch stand next door. The weather was good and thanks to Mick Ashmore and
Ed Henney for running the range. ‘Open the box’ was won by a lady who was just passing and much badgering from the
members saw her buy a key, then win the £20.00 in the box. This was then broadcast by Stafford FM radio. A big thank you to all for attendance on the day. Finishing and packing up at 1600hrs the day was a great success.
Shell Island Camping trip 2018
The annual camping trip was held in July prior to the school holidays and was well attended this year with attendances from the Mercian Regiment and other branch members. Friday lunchtime saw the camp set up in quick and all tents erected in
good time before we all settled down to some banter and a few beers. Fancy dress came out on the Saturday night and this year’s theme was cowboys and Indians. Food aplenty, beer and spirits aplenty, good behaviour all went
toward a cracking weekend. It was good to meet up with old mates and make some new pals. Stafford Branch holds this event every year and it is open to all to come along. The next event is 12th to 14th July 2019.
Fancy dress came out on the Saturday night and this year’s theme was cowboys and Indians....
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