Page 147 - Mercian Eagle 2014

Pershore Carnival. Cyril`s kit display. L to R: Mick Pershore WWI Commemoration. Pershore Carnival Leeming, Maurice Smith, Cyril Davis Worcester Branch Standards. L
to R: Alan Fish, Mick Leeming
another volley of shots and Reveille. The Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph were given by Branch Secretary, Maurice Smith. At the end of the parade, we were all invited for drinks with 214 Bty.
On Saturday 9th, members went to Worcester Cathedral
at the invitation of the Mayor of Worcester for a Civic Service commemorating the start of WWI. On Friday 15th, the Branch and Standards were at Evesham for the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan): this was a short Burma Star Service organised by Evesham RBL and a wreath was laid by Branch Chairman, Harry Massam. Maurice Smith, Branch Secretary, declaimed the Kohima Epitaph. After the Service, RBL provided tea and light refreshment
at a local café. On Saturday 16th, we helped to celebrate Worcester Artillery Day, held in recognition of 150 years’ presence of the Artillery in the City. The day started with a Service in the Cathedral. The parade through the City to the Pitchcroft Racecourse Arena was led by CO 104 Regt RA in a vehicle followed by the Royal Artillery Band, 214 Bty RA, Cadets and Veterans with vehicles and guns from both WWI and WW2. Veterans were treated to a lunch in the Grandstand. There were WWI displays, the Welsh Horse Team and many more things military for people to see. A parachute jump into the arena was given by the RAF Falcons Display team and, in the evening, dignitaries were invited to the ceremony of Beating Retreat
by the RA Band with added music, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture accompanied by the guns of 104 Regt RA.
On Sunday 17th, Branch Standards and Bugle were invited
to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, for the re- Dedication of a restored Roll of Honour and a Blessing and Dedication of a new Roll of Honour of cricketers who fell in both World Wars. Stourport High School and 6th Form Centre were involved in the restoration work through Sandra Taylor and her ‘Remember the Fallen’ project (www.rememberthefallen.com) as agreed with Assistant Principal, Ceri Owens. Dennis Simpson, who oversaw the work with the woodwork master, and five students
who carried out the restoration during their breaks/leisure study
time at school. On Tuesday 26th, a short Ceremony was held at
the Worcestershire Regiment Memorial Stone in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester, on the 70th Anniversary of the crossing of the River Seine. The Ceremony was held on the same day as one in the town of Vernon, France, who hold their ceremonies at different sites in and around Vernon commemorated the crossing. They remember the sacrifices of the French Resistance and of the men of 43rd Wessex Div, of which 1 WORC R was part; the Division’s Units were the first Allied soldiers to cross the Seine in 1944. Barry Freeman, a member of Kidderminster Branch, was on parade, having crossed the Seine with the Worcesters: he commented how good it was to have a memorial in the Park to the men of The Worcestershire Regiment. It was also the 70th Anniversary of the Battle at Kohima in Burma and 2nd and 7th Battalions The Worcestershire Regiment, who fought in Burma against the Japanese, were remembered. The 1st Battalion was remembered for their Service during the Malaya Emergency in the early 1950s.
Forthcoming events in September are the Dedication of a War Memorial in Flyford Flavell on Saturday 6th. We are invited to a
Pensax and Stockton. Worcester Branch Standards lowered at unveiling
Pensax and Stockton. Worcester Branch Standards lead the way
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