Page 141 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association
CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD
The association continues to flourish, with good attendance at meetings and events. This is due to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at both branch and association level, and I thank all those faithful souls who achieve so much, without fuss and with great dedication.
An important date in our year’s calendar was the commemoration of the outbreak
of World War 1, which took place at
the Mercian Grove, National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) on the 14th of September 2014. There was a strong attendance, together with wives and families, with
a brief ceremony of commemoration
at our Memorial; the centerpiece of the day. The service was led by Major , a
lay reader and an ex Mercian Volunteers officer. We all joined in remembering
those many Volunteers of 100 years ago who eagerly answered the call to arms
but perished in the successful battle to preserve our freedom (and that of Europe). The Association then marched past their President (Brig Woolnough, CBE a former Regular CO) to our Regimental March (Under the Two-headed Eagle), played
by the Tenbury Wells Town Band, hired
for the day in the impossibility of finding a Service Band. Though civilian, they entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the day and went on to serenade Members at the picnic lunch with several military selections as well as all the Regimental Marches
of antecedent units in the new Mercian Regiment. The Band was originally formed by a member of the Worcestershire & Sherwood Forester Band who had become the Town policeman. Sadly, he later died from cancer but the band continued. Every year members of the WFRA band return
to play with the Band at a concert in his memory. Again a small team organised
this excellent event and my thanks go to that group, but I choose to mention only WO2 Reg Dicks, whose generous donation
made sure that such enjoyable music was available.
At a lower level, all Branches have continued their monthly meetings, mostly with very good attendance from members and all have run (or shared in) charitable events, with some four-figure donations resulting. The Association was also represented by Standards and members
at a variety of Mercian Regimental events and one anonymous Branch continues to win Shooting Matches (widely believed to be run by that same Branch). As a result, the Association is regularly in the local news and so helps to keep both Armed Services and Veterans in the public eye. Sadly it has
An important date in our year’s calendar was the commemoration of the outbreak of World War 1
been impossible to meet all the requests for attendance at the numerous parades and other activities related to the First and Second World Wars commemorations.
By common consent, 2015 is to be a quiet year, though there will be an informal picnic for members and families at the
NMA in September. One hundred years ago, this was the year that most TA units saw action for the first time, sadly with significant losses. However, the great
battle of the Somme in 1916 will again be commemorated with an Association Service of Remembrance and family picnic at the Association Memorial in the Mercian Grove at the NMA, as the Nation relives that very costly victory. If any other of the Regimental Associations & veterans wish to join us (and several did in 2014), they will of course be most welcome.
Major Ian Strongman (Rtd) leads the Service
Our seven branches at Burton on
Trent, Kidderminster, Nottingham Stockport, Rugeley and District, Walsall and Wolverhampton continue to prosper, providing welfare support and a social life for their members. Their range of activities from golf days through social evenings to clay pigeon shooting and canal cruises attracts a large following. Nevertheless
the objectives of the Association are not forgotten. The Association continues to give help to members if needed. We are very grateful for the support from the Royal British Legion and the other Services Charities. Branches are always welcoming new members and there is a full meetings programme. Membership is open to all ranks who have served with the Mercian Volunteers or its predecessor or successor units and current, serving members of
the Mercian Regiment, whether regular or territorial.
The Annual General Meeting was held in March at the Lea Hall Social Club, Rugeley by kind permission of the committee, hosted by The Rugeley Branch. The meeting was well attended. The Branch looked after us extremely well, as always and we thank them for their hospitality.
The Eagle Dining Club held its Annual Dinner in May at Lucas House, Birmingham University. There was a good attendance, as always and the story telling went on well into the night. We are indebted to the small Committee led by Major Laurence Chell and the Staff at Lucas house for the excellent evening.
Members of the Stockport Branches of MVRA, The Cheshire Regiment Association and 207 Field Hospital on their sponsored walk.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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