Page 114 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

The Visit of the Canadian Grenadier Guards to Kidderminster
On September 1st Lt. Col Vince Gucciardo, CD, Sgt J ohn Petrou, and Cpl Matthew Gallacio representing the Regiment and Steve Burgess representing the CGG Association, departed for England to attend a very special ceremony. The town of Kidderminster and Wyre Forest District Council were naming 4 streets after four
Victoria Cross recipients born in the area. One was for John Francis Young VC.
The main ceremony took place at Saint Mary’s and All Saints Church in front of the Angel of Peace Statue where an engraved paving stone had been embedded at
the foot of the statue. The Mayor of Kidderminster and the Chairman of Wyre
Forest District attended. The Canadian Embassy and High Commission were represented, as well as a high number of local veterans lead by the leadership of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association who coordinated the efforts of everyone involved to make this day a memorable one indeed.
Visit of the Canadian Grenadier Guards to Kidderminster for the unveiling of a Plague
to Pte Young who was born in Kidderminster but who was awarded the Victoria Cross whist serving with Canadian Grenadier Guards
The presentation of the Commendation by C/St S Burgess Rtd to Lt Col K H Jeavons TD, president of the Kidderminster Branch of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association, with Lt Col V Cucciardo CD, Commanding Officer of the CGG
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Chairman’s Notes
The Mercian Volunteers continue to flourish, and the reports record how much activity has been on offer. As in previous years, money has been raised for charity, to the delight and pleasure of the many members who participated.
soldiers settle into civilian life and look for former friends.
Looking forward to 2019, this is the eightieth anniversary of the start of the Second World War: Association attention will now switch to the many areas of battle where Territorial troops were involved, mainly in Europe but also in the Middle East and the Far East. Several MVRA members served alongside World War 2 veterans, so the link to the past will be strong.
However, 2018 is the centenary year
of the end of World War 1 and around
150 MERCIAN Volunteers (with other antecedent’s members joining in) assembled to march past the MVRA Memorial Grove
in memory of their
predecessors. They
were led by the
Regimental mascot
with music, provided
by the Tenbury Wells
Town Band, which
also serenaded the
subsequent “picnic” with
further excellent music
ending the day with the
regimental marches including our Regimental March ‘Under the Two-headed Eagle’.
Several of our Branches have reported visits by former Mercian Regiment personnel but more out of curiosity than any real interest for membership: they have of course been advised to visit MRA branches where these are reasonably close – for now not often the case. Some of our Branches share meetings and indeed membership with CRA, MRA, SRA and WRA Branches. Hopefully in the next few years interest in MRA will start to increase as former regular
Members of the Association at the Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting unfortunately had to be cancelled due to snow and re convened at a later date. It was held once again at ‘Rock Steady Eddies’ in Walsall by kind permission of
the proprietors who
provided an excellent lunch for the members. The meeting gives
members of the Association an opportunity to meet and discuss the affairs of the Association and plan for the future.
The members of the association are involved with many activities, both civic and regimental. The list is too long to include in the present publication. Care of members remains a high priority, it may be limited financial help, advice, visits when members are ill or just a chat on the telephone.
The Stockport branch held their visit to Belgium in the spring, followed by their
The members of the association are involved with many activities, both civic and regimental.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
The Parade of Standards at Crich
walking tour in Bavarian; fitting their Charity walks in between. Neither has the social side been ignored. The Wolverhampton and the Nottingham Branch have helped by the respective Companies in 4 MERCIAN, for which we are very grateful. Rugeley are closing involved with the local community and the Royal British Legion besides the branch activities.