Page 69 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

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room for us to share their stand outside the Market Hall. A great collaboration that saw us all speaking to interested parties across a wide range of ages throughout the day.
Stockport County and the
Armed Forces Covenant
Saturday 29th July 2023 saw Stockport Branch in attendance at Edgeley Park to witness Stockport County FC signing the Armed Forces’ Covenant. In addition to being present at the signing ceremony, standard bearers from the branch formed part of the guard of honour for the clubs to take to the field.
Audregnies 2023
On Sunday, 21st August, Steve Whaite, the Branch Treasurer, attended the memorial service in Audregnies where 1st Battalion served with honour during the retreat from Mons. The memorial reads:
“Dedicated to the 25 officers and 925 men of the 1st Battalion, The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment who stood firm on this field before an overwhelming enemy on the 24th August 1914.
At the end of the battle, only 7 officers and 200 men answered the roll call.
Their heroism saved the British 5th Division from disaster.”
CRA at NMA
The weather held fine on Sunday 3rd September 2023 for the blessing of the new CRA Standard and the laying up of the old.
Meeanee Reunion & Meeanee ‘Across the Pond’: MRA Stockport 2023
A good number of Branch members were in attendance. This was followed by a Service of Remembrance in the copse planted for those members of The 22nd lost in Northern Ireland.
Shotgun Shoot
Eleven members and guest were assembled on 1st October 2023 under the tutelage of our friendly BSAC coach, Paul.
East Cheshire Reunion
Stockport Branch again hosted the 76th East Cheshire Reunion, held on the last Saturday evening in October at St. Julien Barracks, Stockport. One of the major events of the CRA, it has stood the test of time, being held contiguously every year since 1948. The reunion commemorates the landing in France of the 7th Bn, The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the first TA infantry battalion in theatre at the commencement of WWII.
Bollington Brass Band were once
again on hand to provide the musical accompaniment for the evening. “Cook House Call drew everyone’s attention to the matter in hand and memories were stirred
75th East Cheshire Reunion: MRA Stockport 2022
on hearing again some of our Regimental Calls prior to “The Roast Beef of Old England”.
Derek Sykes marched on the Standard to the strains of the Cheshire Regiment Quick Mark “Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie”. This was followed by the Act of Remembrance which included the roll of those gone to higher formation.
Maj Ron Goodwin MBE, our Presiding Officer, made a short speech welcoming Lord and Lady Evans of Rainow. The next speaker was Maj Will Rose, OC B Coy
4 MERCIAN, who gave an update on both the 1st and 4th Battalions of The Mercian Regiment.
The Loyal Greetings to HM The King
and HRH Prince of Wales were read before proposing toasts to “The King”, “The Colonel in Chief”, and “The Regiment”, which in turn received the very familiar responses of “The King”, “The Earl of Chester”, and “The 22nd”.
To the delight of all present, The Cheshire Constabulary Corps of Drums marched on and delivered a display of drumming that was very well received, this year they added to their repertoire by doing a black light display as well.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Remembrance Sunday: MRA Stockport 2022