Page 126 - Mercian Eagle 2014

124 THE MERCIAN EAGLE
The Cheshire Regiment Association
BIRKENHEAD BRANCH
Our January Branch AGM provided few surprises. The Branch remains solvent
if not wealthy. The Committee remains unchanged except that Ken Guntrip BEM, who has faithfully kept the Branch minutes, has decided to retire.
Ken was a Drummer in the 1st Battalion and was in the front rank of the massed Bands and Drums of the Regiment at
the 1957 Colour Presentation. His colour service was followed by an exceptionally long time with the TA in the RASC,
later RCT. (Ken’s BEM was presented
in Liverpool on the day the Toxteth
Riots erupted in July 1981, although no connection has been established). Ken and Bett will continue as always to be staunch supporters of the Branch and the CRA.
Recently a proposed Branch event had to be abandoned because of insufficient support, although only 10 people were required to make it viable. Other Branches report similar problems and dwindling membership. One solution may be to try to organise more joint ventures – closer liaison between neighbouring Branches perhaps?
On a happy note, the annual bowls challenge match against Stockport Branch has been revived, with the home fixture
at The Lever Club , Port Sunlight and the return at The Friendship Inn, Romiley, Stockport. So far no other Branch has taken up Birkenhead’s bowls challenge.
It should appeal to those Branches within travelling distance of Wirral and would make a pleasant day out for players and spectators.
In July, we said goodbye to George Ford at St Paul’s Church in Childer Thornton. George was a regular attender at Birkenhead Branch meetings and
Ray Hogan Chairman and Standard Bearer, Birkenhead Branch
functions as well as at Ellesmere Port Branch. He joined the RASC in 1938 and served throughout WW2 and on into the 1950s. Many will remember him too from his TA service in our 4th Battalion. We were heartened by the attendance
of a detachment from 2 MERCIAN at the service. Support from the Regiment is wholeheartedly appreciated by all CRA members.
Three members took part in the Pilgrimage to mark the Centenary of the Battle of Mons. The Branch Standard
was valiantly paraded by our Chairman, Ray, on each appropriate occasion. It was particularly moving for us to look out over the battlefield a hundred years to the day after the Regiment’s famous stand. Also, to use (without apology) a usually overworked description, it was genuinely heart-warming to enjoy the hospitality of the people of Audregnies and district. They had gone
out of their way to make us welcome and clearly cherish the 100-year bond between the Regiment and their village. A memorable and well-organised event.
Peter Jackson
RegimentalAssociation