Page 106 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

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1 MERCIAN V at Kidderminster and the colours of the 7th Battalion are laid up at
St Mary’s. After a short Service and an address by our President; Brigadier H B Woolough CBE we marched off to the Regimental March; ‘Under the double headed eagle’. A few tears were shed as we left the Shrubbery lawn to return to the centre where afternoon tea was served and to be met by families and friends. It was
an excellent family’s day renewing older friendships, some more than sixty years old.
This wonderful day could not have been achieved without the help, support and hard work of many people, led by Graham Bird and Brian Turvey, Mr and Mrs Ephrains,
the owners of the Shrubbery for allowing us the opportunity to use the facilities
once again, the many people who gave financial and practical support; in particular Major Andy Williams, Ted Rowley and his key rings! C/Sgt John Berrows and Mrs Berrows, The caretaker of the Centre, WO2 Keith Newman for his patience in getting everyone in the right place at the right time and the multitude of others who helped by attending the occasion.
The Association Annual General Meeting was held at the Shrubbery, Kidderminster, in March hosted by the Kidderminster Branch with all Branches being represented. Later in the year Lt Col Brian Clarke handed
over the role of Regimental Secretary to
Lt Col Tony Angel after many years in the post, Brian and Debbie have now moved
to Christchurch to live. The Association wish them a long and happy retirement
and thank them for their support over the years. Brian Joined B Company in the late 1960’s and served with the Battalion as
a Company Commander and Second in Command before moving to Birmingham
Kidderminster
The Branch continues to have a very
busy programme throughout the year. Besides the normal monthly meetings the Branch has attended the service of the stone laying in Stourbridge for Lt E Felx Baxter VC and at Coseley for Pte Thomas Barratt VC; The Burma Star Association Parade at Evesham to remember the 7th Battalion at Kohima; Parades in Worcester to remember the battles of Passendeale, the Somme, Gheluvelt and the service at 4 Rivers Church, Far Forest in Memory of Captain G.R.Wallace 1/7th Worcestershire Regiment TF. The Standard and Bearer
Kidderminster BBQ – Resting after their labours! Jim Dudley, Brian Turvey, the ‘President’ and Graham Bird
The Drumhead service held in front of the Shrubbery, which was the original Drill Hall
as second in Command University OTC. His last TAVR appointment was as CO of the West Midland Training Team. He then joined the Hereford and Worcester ACF as Deputy Commandant before finally retiring. The Association presented Col Clarke with an engraved glass bowl at the September Picnic at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Armed Forces Day
The Branches were out in force to commemorate Armed Forces Day. Stockport held their Annual Dinner and attended the Plaza Festival
of Remembrance in Stockport. Wolverhampton paraded their Standard in the Mander Centre as part of the City of Wolverhampton event, Rugeley paraded at the National Memorial Arboretum, Kidderminster and Walsall Branches again joined together to mount a display and stall at Himley Hall as part of the Dudley celebrations. This annual event is very popular and we were able to raise over £400 for Association Funds, thanks to the
hard work before, and on the day. Philip and Jane Fairbrace work so hard to make this day so successful and without Pete Hall’s gazebo we would be often cold and wet! The list of helpers is so long to mention everybody. It really is a Team effort and for this we say a big ‘Thank you!’ Branches also attended many Civic flag raising events in the respective towns.
Remembrance Day
The Association’s Remembrance commemorations began at the National Memorial Arboretum on November 8th with a short service at the Mercian Grove led by Lt Col Tony Angel, when wreaths were laid before moving to RHQ for our Executive Committee. The Branches attended their local services on November 11th and Remembrance Sunday. Many members were involved with selling poppies as part of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Members attended the Regimental Day at Crich in July.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Kidderminster Golfers Graham Bird, Phil Gardner, Brian Turvey, Gordon Maycroft and Vic Bozward