Page 101 - Mercian Eagle 2014

Alderman Mme Sabine Vanderhaeghe and M Patrick Baert alongside the wreaths of poppies
Battlefield Tours
Meanwhile, in Belgium, two separate, private events were taking place in the Gheluvelt area: Maj John Cotterill led a small party of officers and soldiers of the Regiment along the route taken by the Battalion 100 years before. Starting in Polygon Wood, they traced the line of advance to the Château, to which the current owner had kindly given them access, and then on to the village of Gheluvelt. This tour was conducted very professionally by Maj Cotterill, a very knowledgeable founder-member of the Guild of Battlefield Tour Guides. In the evening, the party attended the ceremony at The
with A Company at Gheluvelt. Pte Morris died during the battle and it is assumed that his remains were not recovered as his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate; his father was John Morris of Newtown Road, Malvern. A number of individuals then laid their wreaths and planted crosses before the Colours and Standards were marched off. The formalities over, the visitors and hundreds of members of the public moved to another area of the park to visit the many stands and stalls – The Mercian Regiment, the Regimental Museum, Friends of the Museum, SSAFA, RBL, Age UK, Worcester Sea Cadets, Hive and Discover History (WWI tent), 187 Squadron ATC (Worcester), West Midlands Police, 214 Battery RA, Western Front Association, Worcestershire C/C Armed Forces Covenant, Remember the Fallen and the RBL Tenbury Wells Choir who entertained visitors with a medley of wartime songs.
There is no doubt that the hours of planning and hard work put in by Major Dick Fox, Branch President, Harry Massam, Branch Chairman, and the many members and their wives of Worcester Branch WFRA were well worth the effort: the day achieved its twin purposes of commemorating The Worcestershire Regiment and of celebrating and commemorating the Centenary of The Battle of Gheluvelt.
Menin Gate where a wreath was laid to commemorate the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion who died and were injured at Gheluvelt [see separate report].
Another trip, with a slightly different itinerary, was arranged by Mick Leeming, Standard Bearer of Worcester Branch WFRA, who, again at his own expense, followed the course of the battle with his small party before they, too, attended the ceremony at The Menin Gate.
Dinner to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt
As recent cuts in the MOD budget and local authority expenditure have taken their toll on the regimental museum in Worcester, it was realised that it would be necessary to raise money in order to keep the museum afloat in the long term.
of the History of War at Oxford University and Fellow of All Souls since 2002, serves on CDS’s Strategic Advisory Panel and on the UK Defence Academy Advisory Board; he is also a specialist
Looking ahead, it was decided by the Museum Trustees to combine fund-raising with an event to commemorate the Centenary of The Battle of Gheluvelt and so the idea of a Dinner in
Invitations were sent out and applications to buy tickets rolled in.
adviser to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on National Security Strategy. It promised to be an interesting evening.
The Chairman booked The Guildhall, chose a very enterprising menu as close as possible to the meal which the 2nd Battalion ate 100 years ago (but a little more appetising!), a seating plan was made, menus were printed and drink was acquired. A quartet from The Band of The
The Guildhall, Worcester, was born. Invitations
were sent out and applications to buy tickets
rolled in. The prospect of a good meal in an
amazing venue was only part of the attraction:
the Chairman of Trustees, Lt Col Mark Jackson, called upon a school friend, Professor Sir Hew Strachan, to speak after Dinner and even more applications rolled in. Sir Hew, Chichele Professor
Royal Logistic Corps was booked, Pte Derby XXX was invited to greet guests and The Colours of the 1st Battalion were displayed, courtesy of the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Mark Ellwood. Guests
(Back Row): Lt Col Mark Jackson, Brig Andrew Williams; (Front Row): Lord Lieutenant, Sir Hew Strachan
Mrs Anne Howse, Maj Chris Howse, Maj Roger Richards
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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