Page 133 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Walsall and Bloxwich Branch
On the whole the Branch has had a great 12 months with membership up. A few key events that we think need mentioning are the Annual Reunion 2011, where one of
our outstanding members, Mr Mac Croft received the Colonel’s Award from Brigadier A. P Williams O.B.E. for hard work and dedication as a museum volunteer, working on the 2011 Reunion Committee as well as being part of the Friends of the Regiment. It came as a complete shock to Mr F. R Croft, so well done Mac from all Branch members, you deserve it.
Friday 14th October 2011, the Branch held the Annual Branch Dinner at Olde Wryly Hall Great Wryly, where we were joined by Brigadier A. P Williams O.B.E
and the Branch President Lt Colonel R Spiby on his first formal meeting since being appointed president two years
ago! Both guests enjoyed the evening,
with special comments coming from the Brigadier, addressing not just North, South Staffords and Staffords, but also Cheshires, Worcesters, 4 Mercian T.A past and present, but also widows of past members
enjoying each other’s company, all in one happy family.
Mr Steven Doran, the Branch Chairman, would like to thank CSgt Shanahan and his recruiting team for joining him and the secretary Andy Stokes for a fund raising event at the Nest Pub in Chadsmoor. The pub raised £509.00 for “Help the Heroes” as well as selling 3 Mercian Staffords
members this year; they were the late Ted George aged 93 and the late Danny Holmes; our thoughts go out to their families.
At the present time, members are looking forward to going to Bedworth for the 11/11 Remembrance Parade. A big thank you to Mr Sid Sheppard and Mr Mac Croft for making this possible. We are also
As with all new Branches, Stafford Branch has made its identity felt with the much talked about Branch tie; to clarify a point, it is not because we are all Wolverhampton Wanderer supporters, but after some research and discussion, it shows that our Regiments have previously used these colours. When Regiments wore red tunics, they were identified by their flashings. The 38th and 80th foot wore yellow flashings and the 64th and 98th foot wore black flashings.
As we are the ‘Newbie’s’, the Branch thought that we would show a bit of imagination and bring the Association into the present by an up-to-date Branch and Regimental tie. At the two reunions we
have attended, the tie has met with some discussion and at times debate about
the Regiment being forgotten. Let me dispel this rumour and assure association members that we have not forgotten that the tie shows the Regimental badge, this being our Branch ID.
This is the third year of our Branch
and we continue to sustain a steady membership and the monthly meetings are well attended. We have held two successful Annual Association Dinner Dances, which have been well attended; our guest of honour has been the Right Honourable Mr Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford. Our thanks must go to the local businesses of Stafford, for their assistance and we look forward to
their continued support.
Since our inauguration we have completed
two Arnhem tours and both have been
well attended by the Branch and honorary members. The Arnhem tour begins with the customary pick-up at 0600 hours at Stafford station, followed by a pick-up at South Mimms, then onward to Dover for the ferry crossing. This year saw the trip extended by a day as we visited the Menin Gate en route to Arnhem. If you want to be humbled, then this is the place to lay a wreath. We did not expect so many people to be there and we were surprised at the number that came to the ceremony. The Union flag and the Branch Standard Bearers took up position and the Chairman took up his position ready for the
wrist bands for the Battalion. At this point our thoughts go out to the family of the late
Pte Gareth Bellingham who was killed in Afghanistan; the Branch Standard and members attended the funeral at Newcastle-On-Lyme.
we are also looking forward to a trip to one of the major breweries on a men’s only trip
looking forward to the Battalions Kape tour and also a trip to one of the major breweries on a men’s only trip. Members would like to wish Mrs Jean Noakes a special recovery and get well soon wishes, after suffering a stroke.
A big thank you to Lt Adrian Cartwright C coy 3 Mercian Staffords, for writing back to us whilst serving out in Afghanistan; a Pelsall lad who is tying the knot later this year; our congratulations to you and your partner from all members.
The Branch also lost two of its own
“Terry don’t panic, the raffle is not doomed”. I would like to thank all members, friends
and widows for supporting us through difficult times, without you there wouldn’t be a Branch, so thank you all.
Andy Stokes, Secretary for the Branch
West Bromwich Branch
Again a very quite year for the Branch and we are still carrying on with all our meetings being very well attended with what few members we have.
by the Council. This is the church where the Branch hold its Annual Remembrance Day Service. The re-dedication of the
Our Standard Bearer Roland Roberts has
been very active in parading the Branch
Standard at various locations around the area
again, Armed Forces Day, Anzac Day and
numinous funeral parades of Second World
War Veterans and British Legion members.
With great sadness we have to report the
passing of one of our members, Hal Marson,
who was a North Stafford and Palestine
Veteran who passed away in August. Hal was a long standing member of the Branch who very rarely missed a Branch meeting. He will be greatly missed by all.
During the course of the year, two of our members, Roland Roberts and Stan Barklam, along with other local ex-servicemen and Councillor Olwen Jones have been instrumental in getting the War Memorial at the local church of St James Hill Top refurbished
monument took place on the 9th October 2011 and was conducted by the Bishop of Lichfield the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill; also in attendance was the Deputy Mayor of West Bromwich and our MP Adrian Bailey.
The Branch held a social evening on
the 18th June 2011 and our guest artists were “The Elderlys”, two gentlemen who entertained members and guests with a selection of music from the fifties and sixties.
It was such a very enjoyable evening that we shall be having a repeat performance from them again on the 19th November 2011. Our Annual Dinner was again held at “Dovecote Restaurant“Hill Top West Bromwich on the 7th October 2011; again another enjoyable evening with a message of good will from Her Majesty the Queen, which was read out by the Secretary.
Bill Lowe, Secretary
Hal was a long standing member of the Branch who very rarely missed a branch meeting
(The Prince of Wales) Stafford Branch
Branch meetings held at the chambers, Victoria Square, Stafford.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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