Page 78 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

local Armed Forces Day event which was very well attended. This led us to meet a gentleman whose father served with the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters in Norway. Benjamin Hind became a prisoner of
war but escaped, taking 9 months to get back to Britain. His son, Chris, has since attended a Branch meeting with notes and photographs of his father’s, in order that Benjamin’s story can be shared with people who have a connection to the regiment in which he served. We shall continue to work with Chris to piece together more of his father’s story.
In September, the Branch attended the unveiling of the commonwealth headstone for 39606 Cpl Thomas Highton which took place at Manton Cemetery in Worksop. It was interesting to hear how a local resident was moved to ensure that Thomas’s grave would be appropriately marked and to be part of this commemoration.
On a less formal note, there are “Weekend bimbles” and the occasional “Smoker”. The walks are generally an opportunity for members, families and four- legged friends to ‘catch up and have a chat.’ We’re not opposed to wrapping up warm, but we do try to avoid the more inclement weather these days. A smoker may need more time, in terms of recovery though, it can get messy when Branch members will meet up with friends socially and start to reminisce...
And finally, at our last Branch meeting of 2023, a presentation was made to our former Branch Secretary, Mark Butcher. Mark handed over the role of Secretary earlier this year in order to concentrate on other activities. Mark was presented with an engraved bottle of port in a wooden presentation box and a certificate of appreciation for his services to the branch as Secretary over a period of 10 years. During this time Mark played a vital role in keeping the Regimental name visible and
relevant and ensuring branch membership remained healthy and strong. Thank you Mark for your dedication and outstanding service.
The Renovation of the
Gheluvelt Memorial
In the aftermath of World War I a memorial to the extraordinary counter attack launched by 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment on 31st October 1914 was erected by a private individual in Gheluvelt village.
The Memorial has been a site of pilgrimage ever since. However, over the years it has suffered a degree of wear and tear from the elements and it was noted that it was in need of restoration. It was decided that this was an opportunity to both repair and also renovate the memorial to give a greater insight into the Regiment’s involvement across all theatres of action
in the Great War and to add the names
of the fallen from the battle itself. The funding was provided by the Mercian
The Renovation of the Gheluvelt Memorial
Regiment Charity and the Worcestershire Ambassadors with great assistance
and endorsement from the City Fathers during the Worcestershire World War 100 Commemorations. The actual work was carried out by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) during the pandemic and the renovated memorial had never been officially unveiled because of Covid. Accordingly the Mayor of Worcester Councillor Adrian Gregson, contacted the Leader of Zonnebecke Council in Belgium, within whose area the village of Gheluvelt lies, to see if they could stage a joint unveiling ceremony.
This took place on 24th March 2023.
It was excellently supported by the local Belgium dignitaries, CWGC staff and a group representing the Worcestershire Ambassadors. The Mercian Regiment was represented by a team from 1st Battalion based in Bulford and their chaplain, The Reverend Daniel Njuguna CF, who blessed the new memorial.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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