Page 21 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Homecoming Parades Officer Commanding HQ Company – Maj RA Goodwin
After a quick dust off on return from Afghanistan I picked up the reigns as the OC Rear Operations Group (ROG) from
Maj Barney Barnbrook.
Once settled into the
chair along with my
other duties on the
ROG I was tasked
with organising the
homecomings for the
Battalion. Individual
company homecoming
parties were arranged
in the HUB Dine. Here
all our soldiers were
met by their families
and loved ones as they got of the bus on return to Marne Barracks. Also a Battalion ‘all ranks party’ took place with free food, beer, entertainment and a bus full of page 3 Sun girls.
Over the period 08-11 Nov 10 the Battalion forward mounted to Nesscliff Training Camp so that we could take part
in a number of homecoming parades in
the County of Cheshire. The Battalion marched through Hyde, Macclesfield, Crewe, Northwich, Ellesmere Port, Birkenhead, Stockport, Congleton and Chester. A special mention must go to Maj (Retd) Eddie Pickering for his help with the planning and execution, of this extremely busy week. The turnout at all the towns was fantastic and appreciated by all ranks in the Battalion. We were caught off guard and never realised how big the crowds were going to be as we marched through the county. The applause and genuine appreciation as we marched through our local towns in Cheshire is something that we as a Battalion will never forget. The Battalions medals were presented in Congleton, the little town with a big heart. The good people of Congleton laid on a Battalion Party after the parade that evening and again caught the Battalion by complete surprise. Free Mercian Pride beer, food
and fantastic entertainment for all, neatly tucked away in a huge barn complex. Our homecoming parades week quite fittingly ended on the 11 Nov at Chester Cathedral where the Battalion Memorial Service was held and 12 candles were lit and placed in the Regimental chapel in memory of our fallen heroes.
A few members of the Battalion were invited to Sandringham House on the 24 Nov 10 to be presented with their medals along with some of our injured soldiers.
Also our bereaved families attended and the NOK was presented with the Elizabeth Cross. Altogether 240 personnel attended.
some well deserved Christmas leave was the 4 Mechanised Brigade Memorial and Thanksgiving service which was held in York Minster. 1 MERCIAN provided a small contingent of 50 soldiers who represented the Battalion at the service along with injured soldiers and families of our fallen. Again, HRH the Prince of Wales was in attendance.
To all the good people of Cheshire
who are reading this, 1 MERCIAN are extremely grateful for the way you have supported your local county soldiers. If it was fundraising, making up welfare parcels, laying on activities for our injured soldiers, or supporting us on our homecoming parades, we could have asked for no more from you. Many thanks from all ranks the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Cheshire).
HRH the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall looked after everybody extremely well that day. After a very short parade and presentations we moved into Sandringham House and had lunch.
A real honour and a privilege for all involved to be invited into their home. Their warmth
and genuine concern was evident to all who were present on that day.
The last major event before going on
The applause and genuine appreciation as we marched through our local towns in Cheshire is something that we as a Battalion will never forget
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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