Page 105 - Mercian Eagle 2016

The Worcestershire and
Sherwood Foresters Regimental
Association (WFRA)
Maj (Retd) Bob Prophet, Acting Secretary
It would be fair to assume that member numbers in the Association would be dwindling as age takes its toll but, surprisingly, numbers are holding steady
– if not increasing. It has been good to welcome a slack handful of new members throughout the year – some still serving in the Regiment. Nevertheless, we have lost
Derby Branch
Alan Derbyshire, Chairman
We start these notes with the sad news
of the loss of three of our long standing members, Derek Sherwood (formally Ewart), Maj (Retd) Desmond Page and Peter Wiltshire. Regrettably, Pete died
six days before our Annual Dinner, but
we knew that despite his absence he wanted us to go ahead with his plans
for a surprise presentation, for which he will long be remembered; providing a Sherwood Foresters Sweetheart Brooch for every lady attending the dinner. As one can imagine, this act of generosity was greatly appreciated by the recipients. This year, we welcomed two new members, Andy Richardson and Leo Warren. Our Standard Bearers, Ivan Gascoigne and Brian Smith, have again attended many parades and they are to be thanked for carrying out their duty so diligently. We have had good attendances at the annual yearly parades; the Chaddesden Schools Remembrance Day Parade and Soldiers’ Corner at Nottingham Road Cemetery. Guests at the Annual Dinner were from
2 MERCIAN - RSM (WO1) Jason Rollins, Cpl Jake Cherry and Cpl Kyle Smith CGC. The Crich Buffet Lunch was attended by 30 members and their ladies where we presented the manager with a Sherwood
Lt Col Lilly’s Memorial Service with Rev Norma Bracewell
a number of prominent members including Major Ken Bowmer, Cliff Housley, Gordon Willetts and Harold Massam, who worked tirelessly to support, promote and publicise their former regiments and we will miss him them. If anyone wishes to join any WFRA branch, details can be obtained from RHQ Nottingham office.
Foresters Battle Honour Print, which will join the other Sherwood Foresters memorabilia on show. We have held a Curry Lunch and a successful Coffee Morning took place in the Mayor’s Parlour at Derby City Council House. A service was organised by Gordon Carran and Mick Doyle on 13th August
to coincide as near as possible to VJ Day
to remember Lt Col H Lilly OBE TD and
the men of the 1/5th Bn The Sherwood Foresters, who served in the Far East during WWII and were POW of the Japanese.
A service was held at Derby Cathedral commemorating the start of the Battle of the Somme with our Chairman presenting the act of remembrance. Col Lilly was with the 1/5th in WWI and was captured and then with the 1/5th in WWII and was again captured! Not very lucky? The Branch Committee remains the same with Alan Derbyshire as Chairman, Ronnie Smith as Secretary, John Pottinger as Treasurer and Gordon Carran as Welfare Officer busy maintaining links with those who have not been well. The support from members and their ladies throughout the past year is much appreciated; without such support there would be no Branch.
Derby Branch Crich lunch with the Sherwood Foresters Battle Honours Print presented by the Branch
Chesterfield Branch
JL Johnson, Chairman
This has been another busy year for the branch; the branch and Standards have been on parade for the placing of Blue Plaques on houses lived in by Sherwood Foresters in Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, a service in Hady Cemetery, Chesterfield,
for Lawrence and Patrick Tighe who died from injuries sustained at the battle of
The Somme, the Battle of the Somme Whistle Parade at the Town Hall, Staveley Armed Forces Veterans’ weekend, a commemoration service at Christ Church, Stonegravels, for Pte Charles Gordon Shaw whose body has been misplaced for the past 100 years and the Remembrance Service on Friday 11th November at
The Crich Memorial. There was also
good attendance at the Martin Robinson weekend, in April, at Sutton on Sea
where respects were duly paid and the commitment to carry on was made as long as members are able to attend to remember all fallen colleagues. Members also travelled to attend the WFRA reunion in Worcester on 4th June meeting old comrades, some had never attended the regimental reunion before and not seen their mates for over 40 years. We also visited the Mablethorpe RBL “Poppies on the Beach” in August, made
a visit to National Arboretum NIVETS Day
in September and hosted a Games Night with other branches including Worksop and Mansfield.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Dudley Branch
Dee Bennett
Gordon Willetts, Secretary of Dudley Branch, celebrated his 90th birthday on 29th August 2016. The branch helped by giving him an early surprise party at The Lodge in Dudley. Twenty two members were able to make it and a wonderful
time was had by all. Much to everyone’s surprise, we all managed to keep the secret and it was very emotional for Gordon as he thought that it was just a routine Branch lunch. Sadly, Gordon passed away in October and is missed by all.
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