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Mrs Brotherton unveils the Memorial Stone
Alan Amos, inspected the parade. 214 Battery Royal Artillery fired a blank round from a 105mm gun to signify the start of proceedings
and Major Richard Fox, President of the Worcester Branch WFRA, welcomed the dignitaries and members of the public to Gheluvelt Park. Colonel Sneath outlined the battle and its significance before inviting Mrs Julia Brotherton, granddaughter of Major E B Hankey (who commanded 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment at Gheluvelt), to unveil the stone commemorating the service of All Ranks of The Worcestershire Regiment. Contributions towards the cost of the Malvern Granite stone were made by members of Worcester, Kidderminster and Dudley Branches WFRA and Kidderminster Branch of MVRA. The stone was supplied by the Malvern Hills Conservators and engraved by a local stonemason; it was placed some weeks in advance on a base made from materials donated by a number of local building firms and prepared by Mr Dave Plant, a member of Worcester Branch WFRA. Bishop Christopher Mayfield dedicated and blessed the Stone. This part of the ceremony concluded with the saying of the Regimental Prayer of The Worcestershire Regiment.
Laying of Wreaths
After the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial Stone, the assembled company moved to the Interpretative Feature in the Park where the Worcester Branch Chaplain, Canon Paul Tongue, conducted a Service of Remembrance and Commemoration of the thirty four men of the Regiment who died at The Battle of Gheluvelt. He gave a brief description of the course of the battle and read the roll of honour whilst wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Brotherton, Colonel Sneath, the Chairman of the County Council, county Mayors and other civic dignitaries. After a very moving
Canon Paul Tongue conducts the Service at the Interpretative Feature (Canon Tongue is wearing the original Vestments of Woodbine Willie)
The Bishop dedicates and blesses the Memorial Stone
Mrs Brotherton stands by the Memorial Stone
service, Bishop Christopher Mayfield gave the Blessing and the National Anthem was sung.
Amongst the distinguished guests at the event were Alderman Mme Sabine Vanderhaeghen and M Patrick Baert who represented the Mayor of Zonnebeke, the modern Belgian Municipality which incorporates Gheluvelt. We were honoured, also, that two officers of the Regiment attended the event and laid a wreath: Lt Col Ivan Clarke, grandson of Captain B C Senhouse-Clarke, Adjutant of the Battalion at Gheluvelt who went on to become a Brigadier, and Maj Chris Howse, great nephew of 9555 Pte William Morris, a reservist
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Colonel Sneath, Mrs Brotherton, the Mayor of Worcester and Mr Robin Walker MP contemplate in silence after laying wreaths