Page 59 - Mercian Eagle 2013

for our summer function. WO2 Cox stepped into the fold and began planning the event using a German Beer Fest theme. After much hard work by him and his team the mess was transformed and full of rustic German fixtures and fittings. The night
was kicked off with every member of the mess and their guests being presented
with an authentic German Stein filled with the tipple of their choice. The level of fancy dress was, as always, whole-heartedly embraced by all members including some interesting “thinking out of the box”. CSgt Fitzgerald made a convincing WW2 German officer, while CSgt Catherwood made an
appearance as German favourite David Hasselhoff in his Mitch Buchanan character: this gave him an ideal opportunity to show off his newly discovered “OP Massive” muscles. After a mess photograph outside the Officers Mess we all went inside and were entertained by a traditional Oompah band. Later in the evening after an amazing meal laid on by the Catering department, the CO and a chosen few were selected
by the band to participate in a Strength/ dance display with full steiners. Sgt Cotterill took this opportunity to show off his break dancing moves which resulted in him falling flat on his face, breaking both steiners and
subsequently being casevaced by the CO. The blood was quickly mopped up, Sgt Cotrill was patched up with several Mr Man plasters and after a brief counselling session carried on. The night came to a successful conclusion after a champagne breakfast.
We now look forward as a mess to the opportunities that Kenya presents and beyond that the Christmas function prior to Christmas leave. The mess remains strong and focused with a real family feel; hopefully we can take this forward to Chester to following the Regiments’ move from three to two battalions.
The Laying up of the Colours of The 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment
“No more fitting place could be found to deposit these emblems of duty and service than the House of God
Where praise and prayer is made.”
And so we gathered in the House of God, serving soldiers and officers along with their families; veterans and their families; friends and supporters of the battalion – indeed
our whole regimental family to lay up our Colours and to offer prayer and praise. If the truth be known, after the excesses of The Presentation of New Colours the previous day not to mention the delayed effect of spending too much time in ‘Bamboo’ and other Worcester night spots, there were a few delicate souls amidst the precincts of The Cathedral Church of Christ and The Blessed Virgin Mary; but we were all there looking polished and resplendent.
It is true that it would have been hard
to find a more fitting place than Worcester Cathedral to lay up our Colours. Apart
from the obvious geographical connection affirming our still relevant antecedence; the setting of the Cathedral is awe inspiring. Worcester Cathedral has been a place of prayer and worship for fourteen centuries and the impressive building promotes a remarkably dignified and spiritually luminous atmosphere. If it is not too indecent a remark to make, Worcester Cathedral really does has have the ‘wow’ factor.
This sense of splendour and awe is of course enhanced and maintained by the cathedral staff and our thanks go to them
for accommodating the battalion and our requests. The Dean and Chapter were immensely welcoming and generous. The support of the Precentor, Canon David Stanton, in particular, was outstanding. His tolerance and confidence in allowing us to shape the service was most gracious. Many people have commented on the beauty
of the music included in the service and
we remain indebted to the Organist and Director of Music, Dr Peter Nardone, and his team for all that they contributed to the occasion. I still smile when I think of the organist playing the Regimental March at the end of the service. ‘The Mercian and Under the Double Eagle’ played as it was with such feeling and energy certainly made sure that we left the cathedral with a stride in our step.
The Rt Revd John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester held our attention whilst he preached the sermon and spoke warmly
of the connection of the battalion and the diocese. He reminded us of the virtue and cost of service and commitment. His view of the Church is that it exists to serve others, and indeed the battalion was served well on that day.
A particular high point of the service was when the Colours were taken from the nave to their final resting place in the Chapel of St George. During this hugely symbolic action the Choir sang John Ireland’s anthem, ‘Greater love hath no man than this’. I think it is fair to say that many people reached
for their handkerchiefs at this point. A
great deal has happened in the life of the battalion over the last 19 years since these Colours were dedicated. As the Colours were carried off with all due ceremony and dignity our thoughts were many and varied; yet all of us reflected on those with whom we have served, fought alongside, lived and sadly lost.
We leave our Old Colours in the safe keeping of the beautiful and ancient Cathedral at Worcester, however those we love and have loved will remain with us always.
The Revd Stephen J H Dunwoody CF Regimental Chaplain
The 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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