Page 140 - Mercian Eagle 2014

Chesterfield Branch
by John Johnson Chairman.
Chesterfield Branch has again had an interesting year so far in 2014, which has seen a steady rise in our membership.
We are always looking to have new members to come and join us, whether they were ex Sherwood Foresters, Worcestershire WOOFERS and lately The Mercian Regiment family who would wish to maintain a connection with the Regiments and those who have something in common. We have members from all
of those mentioned and from some other ex units and will also gladly welcome any service personnel who have served with other Regiments and who do not have an association in Chesterfield
We have a web page please visit it and leave any comments and questions that you may have about our branch. www. chesterfieldbranchwfra.co.uk
We again attended our Robinson Memorial weekend in April where we went to Sutton-on-Sea to pay our respects to Martin Robinson who was killed in 1972 in NI. This was started over forty years ago when some old friends of Martin visited his resting place and we have seen an increase in the numbers attending. We must also pay thanks to The Royal British Legion Branch in Mablethorpe who, on hearing what we were doing, asked if they could come and pay their respects as well. They have now included the weekend into their schedule of events and we have made some new friends and contacts. We thank the Parson, Peter Liley and the congregation for their continuing support.
In July we attended Staveley Veterans Armed Forces weekend where we had a stand and the service was taken by our Padre, The Reverend Father Kevin Ball. We are already committed to next year as we have members on the Planning Committee.
On August 3rd we attended a service in Calow Parish Church,
a district of Chesterfield, to mark the start of the Great War (WW1) which started on 4th August 1914. It was again taken by our Padre as this is his parish. It must have been the first time a motor cycle has been used in front of the altar. It belonged to an ex-soldier who was a member of the Royal British Legion Riders Club and who had ridden the bike to Afghanistan and back along with other place that British soldiers have served.
Our Annual “ALMA” dinner will be held on 27th September where we are privileged to have the mother of Sergeant Craig Brelsford, who was killed in Afghanistan, as our Guest of Honour,
We will also be hosting a Games Night in October between ourselves and both Mansfield and Worksop branches. It is anticipated that a few falling down sherbets will be sunk.
A Service of Remembrance will be hosted by Chesterfield on Tuesday 11th November at Crich where wreaths will be laid to remember those who served and died for the United Kingdom.
Finally we would like to wish every member of all our Regiments past, present and future a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New year for 2015 and best wishes wherever you are.
STAND FIRM STRIKE HARD
138
The Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters Regimental Association
by Maj Bob Prophet
Having been asked by the President of the Association to come out of retirement and take on the post of temporary Secretary
of the Regimental Association while RHQ Nottingham re-establishes itself, I have been reminded of the enthusiasm of Branch Members and their wives who are tireless
in their desire to ensure that Branches do not fade away. The Regimental Association has always been the backbone of any Regiment and Corps of the British Army and WFRA is no exception. It is not a drinking club (although the odd pint does pass the lips of a few...) but an organisation of mutual friendship, support and welfare. Old memories are aired and exchanged
but, most importantly, Branch Members look after their own and see them through sickness, loneliness and old age. Inevitably, members are ageing and young blood is much needed in order to keep these very important Association Branches flourishing.
Many believe that only soldiers can or should join the Regimental Association. Not true. Whilst the rank divide is respected, officers should join and support their local Branch: after all, we were all in it together. A number of officers are already members of different Branches (yes, I do belong to my local Branch!) and their support is always much appreciated by the other members: don’t be shy!
I hope that younger members of the Regiment – both serving and retired,
regular, reserve and cadet – will support
the Regimental Associations by joining the local Branch now so that they will continue to have an active Association in the future. By doing so, they will continue to remain friends with a worthwhile and solid bunch of regimental comrades. If ever the Association fades, serving soldiers will lose a faithful group of colleagues who understand very well the hardships which the modern
soldier endures. The following Branch notes indicate perfectly how active the WFRA Branches are. Please support them.
Coventry Branch
by Bob Prophet
Coventry Branch is now reduced to five members of whom one is bed-ridden. To calculate their combined ages would take a battery of calculators but they are still loyal to the Regiment in which they served so proudly. The other members meet up every few weeks
at The Nursery Tavern and reminisce; needless to say, their Branch activities are few but the Branch still exists. Peter Jones has been the Branch Secretary for an impressive 64 years and has carried the Branch Standard for over half of them.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE