Page 133 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Dudley Branch
Congratulations to our long-serving Secretary, Gordon Willetts, 89, on his award of a certificate from the mayor for his service to the local community. He
is also vice-chairman of the local British Legion branch, and an active participant in all military and many civic events in the Metropolitan District. One of the highlights of his service to the community was to chair the committee which raised the
funds for, and had built, the Dudley War Memorial. Since it was built, attendance at Remembrance services has greatly increased. Over 2000 people attended the 2014 service, and 94 wreaths were laid. It is also extensively used by local school children as part of their studies on Remembrance.
Gordon was called up in 1944, and after training at Norton Barracks, served
as a signaller with the 7th Battalion in India during the turbulent period in the run up
to the Partition of India in 1947, including three months quelling the Calcutta riots.
In March 1947, when territorial units were stood down, he was posted to the Somerset Light Infantry which was the last British battalion to leave India. He was discharged in the rank of Corporal in 1948.
Dudley War Memorial Gordon Willetts, Secretary Dudley Branch
Kidderminster Peter Dunn, Secretary
The branch has had a very busy and productive year. In matters WFRA, our AGM in March saw a new Chairman elected. We look forward to working with Edward ‘Chalky’ White and thank his predecessor, David Jones, for all his hard work and support.
Late last year, we supported
2 MERCIAN in their Freedom Parade through the town, and were pleased to
be given centre stage at the Saluting
Dias. This year, the Regimental Stone
in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester saw us
attend several ceremonies; the first, in
May, commemorating the evacuation
from Dunkirk in 1940 and honouring 7 Worcestershire Regiment (TA) and 8 Worcestershire Regiment (TA) Veterans. We remembered, also, Operation Dynamo and the Wormhoudt Massacre by the Germans of 90 men from assorted units, including at least six men of D Coy, 8 Worcestershire Regiment who were already Prisoners of War.
On 1 June, members of the branch attended the Ceremony in Gheluvelt Park at the Regimental Stone to commemorate the Glorious First of June 1794, when soldiers of the Regiment fought as Marines aboard HM Ships. For this, the regiment was awarded the Naval Crown insignia.
Later in the month, it was the WFRA Reunion where many members attended and had an enjoyable day.
In August, a road-naming ceremony was held in Rowley Regis in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, to honour 1 WFR Officer, Captain Sean Nolan, KIA in Afghanistan. His former batman and current branch member, Will Clarke, was honoured to carry our Branch Standard at the naming of Sean Nolan Close.
It was the WFRA Reunion where many members attended and had an enjoyable day
Other events we have attended include the ceremony of the installation of an engraved Commemorative Stone for Capt Jotham VC of Kidderminster, a Service of Remembrance at the Holocaust Stone for all who died in Nazi concentration camps, the Armed Forces Day Civic Ceremony at Stourport, and the Closing Ceremony of the Severn Valley Railway 1940s weekend.
At the Annual Commemorative
Parade of Veterans and Members of
the Burma Star Association at their
National Memorial, we laid wreaths on
the Regimental Commemorative Stone.
The widow of a member of the founding committee of the Memorial (Mrs Joan Greenow) was present by invitation of Lt Col Hyde (Burma Star Association Organiser). Her late husband, George Greenow, of Kidderminster, had been a surviving medical orderly in 7 Worcestershire Regiment in
the Burma Campaign, and had visited
the 2nd Division Memorial in Kohima War Cemetery shortly after its inauguration:
this had caused him to vow that he would honour the Epitaph when he returned home.
We also attended the raising of the Red Ensign to commemorate and honour the Seamen of the Merchant Navy Fleet, who bore such a great part in WWII Atlantic and Arctic Oceans’ convoys.
Sadly during the year, we also said final farewells to branch members Sam Carter and Barry Hill.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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