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where it will hang outside the entrance to the Conference Room in RHQ. This was originally commissioned by Officers of Mercian Volunteers and shows an orders group on Exercise Keystone 1987, in Germany as part of BAOR, when the 1st Battalion was in its war role as part of
49 Brigade, 2 Div. This is also believed to be the only picture to commemorate the role of a number of TA battalions as part of the war reinforcement for 1 BR Corps: with the turmoil currently within the “Reserve Army” (aka Territorial Army), it is worth remembering that, with a clearly defined and achievable war role, the TA can play its part in supporting the regular army. For a
few who read this foreword, the name of the village of Oberlangenholzhausen might bring a rather smug smile to their faces!
We would wish to place on record the warmest thanks of the Association to Lt Col Richard Spiby, who has recently retired
as Regimental Secretary of the Mercian Regiment after a successful tour of duty. He has been a true ‘friend at court’, always delivering what he has promised and never forgetting the Association amidst many urgent, and rightly demanding tasks from the professional members of the Mercian Regiment. We wish him all good fortune in his new appointment.
The outbreak of World War 1 continues to be remembered and on 14th September 2014, the Mercian Volunteers will recall
that sad event from the perspective of
the Territorial Army. This will be in the Mercian Volunteers Memorial Grove at Alrewas Memorial Arboretum. Our brave predecessors answered the call and many of them gave their lives for we who live today. Mercian Volunteers were fortunate – they were never called to arms. But we, and our successors 4 MERCIAN, stand ready
if the cause is good. ‘May those who fell in the First World War rest in peace!
Regimental Secretary: Lt Col B L Clarke TD. The meeting was hosted by the Wolverhampton Branch and 210 Battery RA who were our neighbours in Wolseley House and who looked after us extremely well. We would like to thank Capt S Hadley PSAO 201 Battery and members of the battery for their support.
On Saturday 17 May Branch members attended a Forces’ Charity night held at the Amery Unionist Club; the magnificent sum of £1400 was raised during the evening. Mr Phillip Fairbrace addressed the Amery Club members in the absence of the Branch Chairman, and Mr Steve Benton from Combat Stress charity gave a short insight on the work of Combat Stress. Our thanks go to Mr Les Harris, Amery Unionist Club Secretary and his hardworking Committee for organising the event. £1000 was donated to Combat Stress and a further £400 was donated to Bike Rides for the Wounded.
Sunday 29 June saw Branch members in conjunction with members from the Kidderminster Branch attend Himley
Hall Armed Forces Day event where our auspicious ‘bring and buy’ specialist Mr Phil Fairbrace, together with Kidderminster Branch members, set up and ran a bring and buy stall. Over £400 was raised on the day for MVRA funds.
On Monday 4 August our Standard and Branch members attended the Centenary parade of WW1 held in Walsall Town. This parade was well attended by Veterans
from all local Military Associations in the Borough and a presentation was made by the Regimental Adjutant of RHQ Mercian to the Mayor of Walsall. Our thanks go to WO2 Harding from 4 MERCIAN who was the Parade Marshall on the date; we hope that his throat has recovered after the local band failed to attend.
Lastly Branch members wish to thank Eddie and Emma Hillback of Rock Steady Eddie’s for their ongoing hospitality in
The Annual General Meeting
Hosted by the Wolverhampton Branch and held at The Army Reserve Centre, [TAC] Wolseley House, Wolverhampton, the Home of Battalion Headquarters of the 1st Battalion for many years on Sunday 2nd March. There was a very good attendance from all Branches. It is our policy to rotate the AGM around the Branches so that all members have an opportunity to attend.
Walsall Branch
Since our last report on Branch activities at the executive meeting held during November, Branch members participated in a Remembrance Service held at
Barr Beacon War Memorial on Friday 8 November, the service was attended by the Mayor of Walsall and other dignitaries plus over three hundred school children from surrounding areas singing hymns and songs to mark the occasion.
Mr Rob Durbin of the Walsall Branch attended the Blakenall unveiling of a plaque at the Peace Tree on the 8 November in Bloxwich. This living peace symbol, a maple tree, is believed to have been the first of
its kind in Britain and several towns across the country followed suit planting trees as memorials to the fallen. A metal plaque will be attached to a new memorial stone which has been set up next to the Peace Tree. The tree was planted on Saturday 19 July
Mr Steve Green, a member of the Walsall Branch at the Annual Bike Ride to the NMA
The Rugeley Branch has kindly offered to host the 2015 AGM. The AGM provides for Branches to report on their activities and renew old friendships besides discussing Association business and ideas. The Association officers for 2015 are President: Brigadier HA Woolnough, CBE Chairman: Lt Col A T Scott MBE, Secretary and Treasurer; Lt Col K H Jeavons TD and
1919 to commemorate the end of the Great War 1914-1918.
On Sunday 10 November Branch members and our Standard Bearer Mr
Mac Powell marched to the Cenotaph in Walsall for the town’s annual Remembrance Service. This was followed by a curry lunch and light entertainment at Rock Steady Eddie’s and copious amounts of beer which rounded off the day quite nicely.
On a sad point, we were informed of the sad death of Mr Alf Cooper who passed away on Christmas Day. Alf was one of the senior members of both the Staffordshire Regimental Association and of the MVRA and he will be sadly missed by all. His funeral took place in Bloxwich on the 10 Jan this year. The church was full to capacity, which was a testament to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The last post
was a recording of Alf playing his bugle as he has done so on many occasions in the borough both at the Cenotaph and past funerals of his comrades.
On Sunday 27 April, Branch members and our Standard attended the Annual Anzac Parade held at the Commonwealth Cemetery on Cannock Chase. The service was attended by military representatives from Australia and New Zealand, the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, local dignitaries from surrounding towns, the Royal British Legion and members of local Military Associations. The parade was led by WO2 Hedges and Watchman (5) Regimental mascot of the Staffordshire Regimental Association and the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE