Page 22 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Exercise Ypres Eagle – Mar 2011 Major K D Taaffe
Exercise Ypres Eagle was a Young Officer and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer educational trip to battlefields
in the Ypres Salient. Despite the challenge presented by a tightening budget, we were pleasantly surprised by our success in convincing HQ 4 Brigade of the value of the trip both
for education purposes and in building trust and teamwork between the recent influx of new Platoon Commanders and Sergeants. To satisfy the budgeteers, the trip was run on a shoe string, staying for only two nights and making use of the extremely well sighted but
basic School Hotel, adjacent to the Menin Gate. Major John Cotterill, a well known military historian and Mercian Officer, readily responded to our call for assistance, agreeing to lead the trip and help facilitate discussion throughout. Major Cotterill
developed an
itinerary that covered
the changing nature
of battle throughout
the First World
War throughout
the Ypres Salient
through exploits
of all antecedent
regiments that make
up the Mercian
Regiment.
Having started at the Menin Gate on the first morning, some with sore heads after too much exposure to Belgian Beer, the trip set off on a whistle stop tour, starting with Ghulevelt to satisfy myself as former 24th/41st Officer, before galloping through a series of battles before finishing study for the
day at Messines. Study over, the day finished with the fitting tribute of the Last Post ceremony, where a wreath was laid in memory of our fallen. The second day provided more of the same, although with accounts of how 5 of the
Mercian VCs were won. The final stand in Zandwoorde provided a fitting end for the trip and an account of the only occasion on which all three antecedent regiments that make up the Mercians;,
4th N Staffords,
15th Cheshire and 15th Forresters, who
fought alongside each other in the same brigade.
Overall, the trip was a great success, achieving its education and teambuilding aims whilst also developing a wider awareness of Mercian Regimental History.
...started at the Menin Gate on the first morning, some with sore heads after too much exposure to Belgian Beer
20
FA Cup Final 2011 By WO2 Jason Jones
Dreaming of scoring the winning goal for the team that you support in the FA cup final is on most young boy’s minds whilst growing up and playing football. This didn’t happen but the next best thing did.
Cpl Mark Ward MC was asked to
be the guest of honour by the English Football Association to the 2011 FA
cup final between Manchester City and Stoke City. He was chosen for the end
of season showpiece for his inspirational leadership and selfless bravery as a section commander in Afghanistan on Op Herrick 12 and fortunately I was
chosen to escort him
during this event.
duty as the guest of honour, he would be presented to both teams on the pitch and handing over the FA cup to the winning captain. Cpl Ward MC being a Man City fan and having the opportunity to get so close up and personal with your hero’s was truly a once in a life time opportunity.
Saturday 15th May 2011 will be a day that Cpl Ward MC will always remember. At 1440hrs he was taken down to the tunnel along with the rest of the presentation
party. Not long after he was escorted on to the Wembley turf to an unbelievable roar
football; Carlos Tevez led his Man City team up the 107 steps of Wembley to collect the first bit of silverware in 35 years. The PM David Cameron first gave the winners their medals before Cpl Ward MC shook Carlos Tevez’s hand, congratulated him and then handed over the FA cup. What a great moment for a life long Man City supporter, one that thousands of people can only dream of but he was going to do. Getting to meet people like Fabio Capello, Sir Trevor Brooking, Stuart Pearce and a number of other Man City legends was icing on the cake.
Cpl Ward MC now joins a long line
of distinguished dignitaries who have presented The FA Cup to the competition winners over the years. Last year The FA’s President Prince William handed the Cup to winners Chelsea and in previous years the Queen, Princess Diana, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Winston Churchill have all had this prestigious role.
To represent The Mercian Regiment, the Army and all the British Forces around the world on operations was a great honour and privilege for both of us.
We arrived at
Wembley stadium at
1130hrs to be met
by Deryn Wright who
was from the FA Media
office. We were taken
to the power corridor
to speak with both the
FA chairman David
Bernstein and the CEO, walking past both Fabio Capello and Stuart Pearce’s offices. Once all the media had taken their pictures and finished interviewing Cpl Ward MC it was time to head back to the hotel but not before I got my hands on the FA cup and got a few souvenir photos for myself.
We had both been told that we would be having lunch with the PM David Cameron, before the game, at the top table in the royal suite and also sitting in the royal box to watch the final, but more importantly Cpl Ward MC was informed that as part of his
it was time to head back to the hotel but not before I got my hands on the FA cup and got a few souvenir photos for myself
to meet both teams. Once he had fulfilled his duty on the pitch he made his way up
to the front row of the Royal Box where he would try and enjoy the game and attempt to show no allegiance to any club as he was sat right next to the Stoke owner Peter Coates.
The atmosphere was electric as both sets of fans were giving their all. When Man City finally scored Cpl Ward MC showed great restraint not to jump up and celebrate with the rest of the fans but just sat there calm and quiet but with a big smile on his face. The final whistle blew and the game was over. However as Man City had won, Cpl Ward MC would be handing over the FA cup to Carlos Tevez the Man City captain.
Cpl Ward MC proudly handed the Stoke players their runners up medals. It was now time for the biggest honour in English
THE MERCIAN EAGLE