Page 137 - Mercian Eagle 2013

WORD FROM THE BRANCHES
BIRKENHEAD BRANCH by Peter Jackson
Our notes for the Eagle always start with The Mons Day Parade Service and Lunch of the year before last, mainly because the Editor’s deadline falls at about the time of the Service.
The unfortunate absence of the Band seems to have discouraged attendance generally and there were fewer marchers than previously both from our Branch
and from others. On the positive side, the weather was pleasant and over lunch we had a chance to chat to some of the young soldiers from the 1 MERCIAN Detachment.
Once again we must thank the Stockport Branch for their hard work and excellent organisation of the East
Cheshire Reunion on
the Boat Museum) and the other at the Cheshire Regiment Copse in Whitby Park, close to Stanney Lane TA Centre and,
as we always do, a number of us went along to support them. That we do so has nothing to do with the outstanding buffet spread which they put on afterwards!
Without doubt, the most important
event of the year has been the Mons Day Parade and Laying Up of the Colours which took place in Chester in early September. We were privileged to parade behind the 1st and 4th Battalions of the Mercian Regiment to march to Chester Cathedral. There seemed to be a lot packed into
the service, with the rededication of the Cheshire Regiment post-WW2 Memorial
to hang up her ladle and spend more time with her grandchildren. This news made it necessary to carry out a review of our dining programme because Sandra will be a hard act to follow. We will be continuing to hold our Branch Dinner as usual but as to the caterers? Watch this space!
Both our Christmas Lunch and Christmas Draw were well supported, with our good friend Henry Dodds winning his usual
quota (the majority) of prizes, much to the amusement of the rest of us.
The weather in January got the better of us and the AGM had to be postponed until warmer times. When it was finally held at the beginning of May, it was such a success that it was proposed and agreed that future AGMs would be held in May. With regard to the election of the committee, there were no surprises and they were all re-elected, unopposed.
Over the Easter period, Mrs Nancy Bly knitted numerous Easter Chicks, which
she then sold. She raised a whopping £157. Mr John Harrison also went to
work and persuaded a trade union branch to donate £500 in support of the Blind Veterans. These two members are a shining example to us all and deserve our heartfelt congratulations for their determined effort to help our wounded ex-servicemen.
The summer has been tinged with much sadness, following the deaths of three of our stalwart members: Henry Dodds BEM who put in an extraordinary amount of effort for the good of the branch through the years and finally lost his valiant fight against cancer, also Mrs Joyce Jenkins and Alice Sproston. They will all be missed for their cheerfulness and support.
Sunday 8th September was a big day for us with the annual
27th October. This was well attended and once again the evening was enhanced by the playing of the Bollington Brass Band who included some of our Regimental Music in their repertoire.
Once again we must thank the Stockport Branch for their hard work and excellent organisation
after some names had been added to it, as well as the ceremony to Lay up the Colours. Canon Humphries, who gave the sermon kept us on our toes by brandishing a bayonet which had been found on the battlefield in the village of Audregnies
On Remembrance
Sunday, 11th November, the Branch Standard, accompanied by Branch members joined the RBL, other Veterans and the local MERCIAN-affiliated ACF detachment in a march to the War Memorial at Port Sunlight for wreath-laying and Act
of Remembrance, followed by a service
at Christ Church. On a bright and crisp morning there was a very impressive turn-out from the local residents. After
the parade, CRA members and the
ACF detachment attended a simple commemoration at Port Sunlight Museum, the focal point being the silver statue in honour of some the men of Port Sunlight who lost their lives in the Great War, many of whom belonged to the 13th Battalion. Messrs Guntrip and Radford represented the Branch at the Remembrance Service in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.
The AGM was a quiet affair and as we elect our branch officers to serve for periods of 2 years, there were no changes to report.
A quiet spring led us to the Presentation of Colours to the Mercian Regiment in Worcester, and due to the timings and the need for a very early start, there were only a few of us, but we enjoyed the parade and we all had lumps in our throats at that poignant moment when the Colours of
the Cheshire Regiment were marched off parade. A couple of weeks later, we stood proudly on the streets of Birkenhead to welcome the 1st Battalion back home after their tour of duty in Afghanistan. There was a great turnout from local people
and a large number of Mums, Dads and neighbours turning out to see their soldiers.
Every year, our friends at Ellesmere Port Branch hold two memorial services, one in the National Waterways Museum (formerly
whilst he preached. After the service, the 1st Battalion took their weapons back and marched through the streets of Chester. Some of our members were disappointed at not being able to join in with them to salute the Lord Mayor as is the custom on Mons Day, but nevertheless joined in the clapping and cheering as they stood and watched. The soldiers and CRA were then invited into the Town Hall where the Lord Mayor had laid on tea, coffee, wine and beer to welcome them (and to wash down the bacon barms she had provided too). Following this we went
back to the Castle for lunch, during which
a certain lady of the branch, when asked to draw the first prize ticket for the Mons Day draw, dipped deeply into the drum and pulled out her own!
The soldiers and CRA were then invited into the Town Hall where the Lord Mayor had laid on tea
Mons Day service and also the Laying Up of the 22nd’s Colours. It was for many, the final chapter in the life of
the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment and therefore members of the CRA came from far and wide to witness it. We
CHESTER BRANCH by John Fairbanks
After a quiet summer, the 2012 Mons Day Reunion provided a little action. Having spent a large part of the morning, prior
to the Cathedral service, waiting to be reviewed by the Mayor of Chester, (who failed to appear), we were of some interest to a passing posse of camera-wielding Japanese tourists and other curious spectators. After a thought provoking Sermon from The Dean of Chester, it was a pleasure to partake of a truly excellent meal in the company of many old friends and comrades.
We had the unwanted and totally unexpected news that our wonderful caterer, Mrs Sandra Slater, has decided
marched to the Cathedral together with the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), who were probably marching through Chester for the final time with that title and were surprised that we managed to keep up with them – all that Pearson Trophy running through the years obviously paid off! A good service, followed by the Homecoming March of the Battalion was rounded off by a reception by the Lord Mayor before returning to the Regimental Club for some refreshment.
ELLESMERE PORT BRANCH
by Gordon Kipps
The end of 2012 was very busy for members of the branch; we were present
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