Page 148 - Mercian Eagle 2014

Gheluvelt Park 26th August; Barry Freeman, WWII Vernon Veteran on the right
Dedication of a plaque in memory of Harry Whitwell 9 WORC R
who died of wounds following the successful attempt to capture Baghdad from the Turks in 1917. Harry has had no memorial in this country and, after 5 years waiting, his great nephew, Paul Nash, with help from Sandra Taylor (Remember the Fallen), has arranged a Dedication Ceremony in the presence of the Mayor of Stourbridge. This will be held at 1100 hours on Saturday 13th September at
the Civic War Memorial in Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge, where
a plaque bearing Harry’s name will be unveiled. On Sunday 14th
we are off on a picnic! Mercian Volunteers Kidderminster Branch
are holding a Service and March Past at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas to honour those TA soldiers who never came back. Tenbury Town Band will be there and visitors are invited to bring their own food.
Gheluvelt Park Worcestershire Regiment Memorial Stone
We are now fast approaching the Centenary of the Battle of Gheluvelt, Belgium, on 31st October 1914 when 2nd Battalion
The Worcestershire Regiment counter-attacked and halted the breakthrough by the Germans thus preventing their reaching the Channel Ports. The official unveiling and Dedication of the Memorial Stone will take place in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester, on the Centenary of the Battle, Friday 31st October 2014. The stone, provided by this Branch, is inscribed:
‘In Memory of All Ranks of the Worcestershire Regiment who Served their Country at Home and Overseas’
We are delighted that Mrs Julia Brotherton, granddaughter of Major E Hankey, who commanded the Battalion on the day, has agreed to unveil the Stone. The Regimental Colours of at least one Battalion and Soldiers from all three Battalions of the
Tenbury Wells. Richard Fox Branch President, Harry Massam Branch Chairman talk backpacks
Tenbury Wells, Cyril Davis, practices drill withh WW1 re-enactors
WFRA Reunion. L to R: Lt Col Paul Gilby, CO 2 MERCIAN, Lt Col John Reynolds MC, Harry Massam, Branch Chairman
Worcester County CC. Branch members with Stourport High School who restored the wooden plaque
146 THE MERCIAN EAGLE