Page 99 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

WFR50
On February 28, 1970, the Worcestershire Regiment and the Sherwood Foresters Regiment amalgamated and, thus forming The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Also known as the WFR and the Woofers, the amalgamation parade took place in Bulford in the presence of the Colonel in Chief, HRH The Princess Royal. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, three WFR50 events were held:
Mablethorpe:
Johno Johnson
Chesterfield Branch proposed their WFR 50th Anniversary celebrations, that was open to any past “Woofers” and “Mercians” and our Antecedent Regiments, would be held on
29 February at the Eagle Hotel, Mablethorpe. There was a lot of action behind the scenes, leading
up to the event and thanks to the members in Mablethorpe, who did the buffet as well as providing the link between the branch and the hotel. Gale force winds and lashing rain didn’t deter members attending with many travelling from the Midlands. The Town Crier of Mablethorpe, Dave Sumner, who is the last surviving member of the TVs, Black and White minstrel show opened the event with his usual gusto, and a piece about our Regiments. It was the start of a very busy event. The entertainment was provided by ex-Woofer, Smudge Smith, and there was also a raffle and an auction which enabled us to donate £300.00 to some charities. The feed-back is that those that who attended really enjoyed the night and were glad they had travelled to be a part of the WFR50 Event.
WFR50 Officers’ Lunch:
Major Bob Prophet
Planning for an officers’ lunch started almost two years ago with a blank piece
of paper, a number of out-of-date lists and 37 years’ worth of the regimental journal. Major Chris Howse and Major Bob Prophet formed the small team with Colonel Jonny Hackett dragged in to be the arbiter,
judge, mentor and final word. We met in Nottingham on a number of occasions to throw ideas around and select a date and format: a buffet lunch was chosen as the easiest for officers, their wives and partners to attend and the date of Saturday 29 February 2020 was selected, being the closest date to the original formation day at Bulford, Saturday 28th February 1970. Also, we agreed to include all former officers of WFR – Regular, Reserve and Cadets.
We wanted a venue that was geographically central to the regiment’s recruiting areas and the National Conference Centre, Solihull, proved to be an ideal choice. Tracing former officers
took a considerable amount of time but, from an early response to an “Expressions of Interest” survey, we were heartened to receive 190 responses. We deliberated long and hard over the possibility of organising
a central, All Ranks function. However, while former officers’ records were flimsy at best and without access to official records, attempting to contact the thousands of
Mrs Sue Martin, Ram Major Cpl Thornton, Pte Derby, Ram Orderly Pte Holmes, Lt Col Richard Martin and his son, Dr Alastair Martin almost on the red carpet at the entrance to NCC
soldiers who had served in the regiment since 1970 appeared to be an impossible task. It was therefore decided to pass this project to Association branches to organise with their respective members.
Having plucked up the courage to
go ahead, a calling letter was issued. Responses were worryingly slow initially and, despite insuring against bad weather cancellations, we could not have foreseen the dramatic flooding in January or the looming spectre of the Coronavirus. After Christmas, responses improved rapidly and, with 10 days to go, we were able to close the books at 151 mouths to feed
– our minimum contract number! On a cold and windy but sunny day, Pte Derby XXXII greeted guests as they arrived at the entrance.
Over drinks, Jonny Hackett addressed guests and proposed a loyal toast to
Her Majesty, having read Her Majesty’s response to our message of loyal greetings. The venue proved to be ideal, the food
was deemed to be superb, the service impeccable and the level of noise was indicative of officers making up for many years of separation. We were delighted at the response and were very pleased to have brought so many officers together again after so many years.
Worcester:
Nigel Fish
The Worcester Branch Committee became the Worcester WFR50 Committee; consisting of Mark Jackson, Allan Poyner, Libby Massam, John Walters, Nick Tyler, Rudi Heaume and Nigel Fish who came together to organise an evening of celebrations on the 28 February. Barbourne Ex Services Club Worcester was decorated with flags, banners, photos, the WFR Drums and other memorabilia from the WFR era leaving us all in WFR heaven! On the night, in attendance was Pte Derby XXXII and his handlers and the Worcestershire Area Standard was marched into the sound of the Regimental march followed by the Worcester Branch Standards. The Last Post and Reveille was played by
Worcester Branch member Mick Leeming. After a short address by Worcester Branch President Lt Col (Retd) Mark Jackson OBE, the bar was opened. Despite the encroaching flood waters, around 140 people attended with former
WFR members travelling from as far as Essex, South Wales and Warminster as well as Worcestershire and the West Midlands. Much fun and reminiscing was had along with a Pig Roast and a raffle.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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