Association Newsletters. 2.
If you are not in receipt of the WFRA ENewsletter and have internet connection,please contact
RHQ Mercian Nottingham (newsletter@stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk ) and we will send you the ENews update.
THE WORCESTERSHIRE AND SHERWOOD FORESTERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION
Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
President: Brig P Dennis.
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19 July 2024 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 15 Issue 30
FUNERAL DETAILS The funeral of Graham ‘Ted’ Johnson, who died on 7 July will take place on Tuesday 30 July 2024 at 1130 hours at Lea Fields Crematorium, Gainsborough Road, Lea, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5PL.
The family have requested no flowers and donations can be made on the day to St Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln.
The wake will be held at Thonock Park Golf Club, The Belt Road, Thonock, Gainsborough,, Lincolnshire DN21 1PZ. All members of the Regimental Family are invited to both the funeral and the wake. Standard Bearers are requested.
001 FRIENDS OF THE MERCIAN REGIMENT - WORCESTERSHIRE
A Talk By / Audience with WW2/Cold War Veteran Bill Wheeler
Bill Wheeler joined the Royal Air Force on the 28 August 1943 as an aircraft apprentice training to be an electrician. This was the beginning of a career with the service that saw Bill posted to Pakistan for 2 years, followed by 9 months of air crew training in Canada. Qualifying as a navigator, Bill was posted to Germany for 2½ years. He served on V Force bomber squadrons for 5 years during the Cold War, when he and his colleagues were on short notice standby in the event of a nuclear attack, sometimes as short as 15 minutes to be airborne.
On Saturday 20 July 2024 Bill will be giving a talk on his varied and interesting career with the RAF and what it was like to live with the very real, ever-present threat of nuclear war and his experiences of flying as one of the crew members on V bombers. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and have a chat with Bill at the end. Venue: Alvechurch Village Hall, 10 Bear Hill, Alvechurch B48 7JX – there is a free car park close to the hall.
Time: 13.30 for 14.00 start Cost: £5.00 – inc.ludes light refreshments. Booking is advisable, payment can be made on the door. Contact Sandra Taylor: friendsoftheworcesters@gmail.com
002 FEMALE VETERANS ALLIANCE
Following on from the success of our previous two workshops held in Caerphilly in June 2022 and Wrexham in October 2023, our next workshop will be held at the Village Hotel, Swansea on 26 September 2024 from 0900hrs until 1600hrs.
We are really keen to get as many female veterans together to chat about any challenges you faced during Service, transition and integration back into civilian life. We are also equally as keen to hear about any positive experiences you had during these times. We will be focusing on these 6 key themes:
🔸 Community and relationships. 🔸 Employment, education and skills. 🔸 Finance and debt. 🔸 Health and wellbeing. 🔸 Making a home in civilian society. 🔸 Veterans and the law. This project is being led by two female veterans and this workshop is a space where we can come together for you to be seen and to be heard.
As a collective, we have the power to drive positive change. Is this something you would like to get involved in? This is the final workshop we will be delivering in Wales, so come and connect with fellow female veterans, share experiences, and gain valuable insights! As we will be collating the findings from this workshop and publishing the commentary and recommendations, due to limited spaces and to ensure we have accurate data, please note that this workshop is open to female veterans that did not attend the previous workshops in June 2022 or October 2023.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Don't miss this opportunity to network and learn from each other. Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP!
To book you free tickets click here.
003 ROOT CAUSE PROJECT
Welcome to the Root Cause Project FREE Veteran Session happening at Hakeford Wood! Join us on Sat Aug 31st 2024 at 10:00hrs until 14:00hrs for a special event designed for veterans. This in-person session will provide a safe space for veterans to connect, share experiences, and learn valuable tools for managing stress and improving well-being. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with fellow veterans and gain valuable insights. See you there! Open to all armed forces veterans our sessions are designed to allow veterans to rest and reflect using the restorative force of nature. From sitting around a fire with a warm wet, chatting with fellow veterans, to participating in woodcraft, woodland management, or wild cooking, we're all about building a community of support.
Our project is designed to be a mental health safety net for veterans, there is no requirement to talk to us however our veteran team has experience in offering mental health support and it's there if you want it.
Lunch is provided and session activities are published on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rootcauseproject
We have outdoor wear available if the elements are against us and transport is available from Barnstaple. (Please email us to book a lift rootcauseproject@outlook.com)!
Location: Hakeford Wood, Barnstaple, Devon EX32
Please click here to book your free tickets
004 REMEMBRANCE DAY 2024
There are still 11 places left if you would like to march at this years Remembrance Parade in London. If you would like to go all I require is.
Full Name. Regimental number. Address. D.O.B. Place of birth. Email. Dates served. Regiment served. Next of Kin. Full name. Relationship. Email. Phone number
The eligibility criteria is as follows:
Ex-service personnel from the UK and the Commonwealth who have served the Crown. Retired emergency services personnel from the UK and Commonwealth who have served the Crown. Partners or first-generation family members of those who served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces and have died.
This only includes the following:
Wives, husbands, partners or civil partners. Siblings. Parents. Children
Those marching on behalf of their organisations that have historically played a significant role in times of conflict, supporting the Armed Forces community or who are key organisations in Remembrance. A carer of a veteran requiring wheelchair assistance Please contact Neil Howard for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/neil.howard.587
005 HISTORY - THE CODE BREAKING COMPUTER THAT HELPED WIN WWII
GCHQ has released never before seen images of Colossus, the UK's secret code breaking computer that has been credited with helping the Allies win World War Two. The intelligence agency is publishing them to mark the 80th anniversary of the device's invention.
The photographs shed new light on the genesis and workings of Colossus, which is considered by many to be the first digital computer and it’s existence was kept largely secret until the early 2000’s.
The pictures are a reminder of the creativity and ingenuity required to keep the country safe. Technological innovation has always been at the centre of the work at GCHQ, and Colossus is a perfect example of how the staff who work there keep us at the forefront of new technology even though they can't talk about it.
The first Colossus began operating from Bletchley Park, the home of the UK's codebreakers, in early 1944. By the end of the war there were 10 computers helping to decipher the Nazi messages. Fitted with 2,500 valves and standing at more than 2 metres tall, Colossus required a team of skilled operators and technicians to run and maintain it. Many of them were members of the Women's Royal Naval Service and one of the new images shows them working on the machine.
Keeping the Colossus computers working was a big task and blueprints of its inner workings have also been made public for the first time, along with a letter referring to rather alarming German instructions intercepted by Colossus, as well as an audio clip of the machine at work.
By the end of the war, 63 million characters of high grade German messages had been decrypted by the 550 people working on the computers.
One of its notable successes was helping the Allies know that Hitler had swallowed the bait that the D Day landings in June 1944 would be at Calais rather than Normandy. Many historians think the computers shortened the war and saved many lives.
Despite its huge impact, engineers and codebreakers who had worked on the Colossus programme were sworn to secrecy and the existence of this vital piece of machinery was kept from the history books for almost six decades. Colossus wasn't formally acknowledged by the UK intelligence services until the 2000's. After the war eight of the 10 computers were destroyed.
The engineer who designed it, Tommy Flowers, was ordered to hand over all documentation on the machinery to GCHQ. The attempts to keep it secret were so successful that Bill Marshall, a former GCHQ engineer who worked on Colossus in the 1960s, had no idea about its wartime role.
He said he was now "very proud to have been involved with Colossus even in just a small way." Andrew Herbert, chairman of trustees at the National Museum of Computing, which is based at Bletchley Park, said the release of the images was another opportunity to celebrate the lasting impact Colossus had had.
"From a technical perspective, Colossus was an important precursor of the modern electronic digital computer," he said. "Many of those who used Colossus at Bletchley Park went on to become important pioneers and leaders of British computing in the decades following the war, often leading the world in their work", he added.
courtesy of The National Museum of Computing.
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12 July 2024 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 15 Issue 29
OBITUARY
24795405 WOII (CSM) Graham ‘Ted’ Johnson It is with great sadness that we inform you that 24795405 WOII (CSM) Graham ‘Ted’ Johnson, of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire died on 7 July 2024 aged 55. Ted was born in BMH Hannover and lived in Retford prior to joining the 1st Bn WFR on 20 Jan 1987. He served in various locations throughout the world with the Regiment and then with the 2nd Bn, The Mercian Regiment, upon amalgamation. He also served with the RRT at Chilwell. Ted was awarded a Mention in Despatches in 2002 for gallantry. He was also awarded the UN Medal Cyprus, GSM NI (including oak leave), the NATO former Yugoslavia 2nd numeral, the NATO Medal with Clasp Former Yugoslavia, the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan with clasp, the Accumulated Service Medal and the LS&GC. Ted was discharged from the Army on 27 Mar 2011. He then worked as an Operations Manager in Iraq and for Lincolnshire Police in the Control Room. He leaves behind, his wife Emma and their daughter Aimee and his older daughter Bryce, step-sons Matthew & Joshua and grandchild, Scarlett . Messages of condolence can be sent to Emma at Elj5405@yahoo.co.uk
001 CRICH PILGRIMAGE 2024
On Sunday 7 July we held the 101st Pilgrimage to honour the fallen of the Sherwood Foresters , the Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters and The Mercian Regiment.
The Bishop of Repton led the service and was supported by clergy from the Catholic Church , Crich Parish and the Padres of 1 and 4 Mercian . The Colonel of the Regiment’s representative, Brig Andy Cox MBE, gave a moving Address and informed the crowds that the regimental mascot was to be promoted.
The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire led the Civic parade of dignitaries from our recruiting area of Mercia. The Mercian band played beautifully throughout .
Also on parade were the Mercian cadets from Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire (who assisted throughout the day) , the Standard Bearers and the Colour Parties from both 1 and 4 Mercian .
Throughout the weekend, soldiers of 1 and 4 Mercian and RHQ helped set up the Pilgrimage and thanks go to them as well as many others, for their assistance in ensuring that the tradition from 1923 continues and our fallen are never forgotten.
The Pilgrimage ended with the well deserved promotion of LCpl Derby XXXII to full Cpl
002 FRIENDS OF THE MERCIAN REGIMENT - WORCESTERSHIRE
A Talk By / Audience with WW2/Cold War Veteran Bill Wheeler
Bill Wheeler joined the Royal Air Force on the 28 August 1943 as an aircraft apprentice training to be an electrician. This was the beginning of a career with the service that saw Bill posted to Pakistan for 2 years, followed by 9 months of air crew training in Canada. Qualifying as a navigator, Bill was posted to Germany for 2½ years. He served on V Force bomber squadrons for 5 years during the Cold War, when he and his colleagues were on short notice standby in the event of a nuclear attack, sometimes as short as 15 minutes to be airborne.
On Saturday 20 July 2024 Bill will be giving a talk on his varied and interesting career with the RAF and what it was like to live with the very real, ever-present threat of nuclear war and his experiences of flying as one of the crew members on V bombers. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and have a chat with Bill at the end.Venue: Alvechurch Village Hall, 10 Bear Hill, Alvechurch B48 7JX – there is a free car park close to the hall.
Time: 13.30 for 14.00 start Cost: £5.00 – inc.ludes light refreshments.
Booking is advisable, payment can be made on the door.
Contact Sandra Taylor: friendsoftheworcesters@gmail.com
003 REMEMBRANCE DAY 2024
There are still 11 places left if you would like to march at this years Remembrance Parade in London.
If you would like to go all I require is.
Full Name . Regimental number. Address. D.O.B. Place of birth
Email. Dates served. Regiment served. Next of Kin. Full name. Relationship
Email. Phone number.
The eligibility criteria is as follows:
Ex-service personnel from the UK and the Commonwealth who have served the Crown.
Retired emergency services personnel from the UK and Commonwealth who have served the Crown.
Partners or first-generation family members of those who served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces and have died.
This only includes the following:
Wives, husbands, partners or civil partners. Siblings. Parents. Children
Those marching on behalf of their organisations that have historically played a significant role in times of conflict, supporting the Armed Forces community or who are key organisations in Remembrance.
A carer of a veteran requiring wheelchair assistance
Please contact Neil Howard for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/neil.howard.587
004 GHELUVELT GARDENING CLUB
You are invited to the Gheluvelt Gardening Club, which will take place on the 2nd Monday of every month going forward.
If anybody has any task or ideas they would like to put forward please drop me an email or phone call ahead of the session.
When: Second Monday of every month at 11:00 am. (The next one is on Monday the 13th)
Where: Gheluvelt Park (Sons of Rest Building)
All are welcome to join the incredible park keeper at Gheluvelt park for gardening activities.
Activities available to take part in our as follows;
Weeding • Leaf collection • Planting • Pruning • Litter-picking • Cleaning
Contact Nathan for more info: Nathan.Gunnell@worcester.gov.uk
005 OSWESTRY HOSPITAL VETERANS CLINIC
Trouble with knees and things......... Did you know........
As a veteran, you can ask for a referral to a specialist Orthopaedic clinic at The Robert Jones & Edith Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY107AG. There is a specific Veterans Clinic run by Lt Col Carl Meyer, an Army Reserve consultant surgeon who also works with 202 Field Ambulance and Reserve Hospital. A friend applied for a referral on 16 March, this year, and on 3rd May, a week ago, had a hip replacement, a total of just over 6 weeks. Lt Col Meyers specialises in hips and knees. If you don't mind a few days away from family, He can assure you it's more like an hotel than a hospital, and the foods really good. Having a long wait ahead of you at your local GP and hospital, this might be the way to go to achieve a much quicker result.
What is it?
A service for military veterans to have their hip or knee arthritis assessed and, if appropriate, have joint replacement surgery and is led by Lt Col Carl Meyer, Military Consultant Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgeon at Oswestry’s specialist orthopaedic hospital. Lt Col Meyer is an Army Reserve officer who has been on three tours to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. He is an Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon with 16 Medical Regiment, 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital.
Who is it for?
Anyone who has been in regular military service, including national service.
Where is it?
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH), Oswestry, Shropshire SY107AG ,and is a centre of orthopaedic excellence specialising in lower limb replacement surgery.
When is it?
Outpatient clinics are held fortnightly at RJAH. (Normally on a Wednesday)
How do I obtain an NHS referral?
Through your GP - Ask to be referred to the VETERANS’ HIP & KNEE SURGERY SERVICE at Oswestry - And ask your GP to make a named referral to Lt Col Meyer�
Contact information Email:
rebecca.ann.jones@rjah.nhs.uk Fax: 01691 404067 Tel: 01691 404344
Your records at your GP needs to be annotated with the NHS issued codes for military/veterans, take photocopies of your red discharge book, because he will ask for proof that you're a veteran.
Military medical codes
13J1. Military veteran
13JY. History relating to Military Service
13qo. History relating to Army Service
13q1. History relating to RN Service
13q2. History relating to RAF Service
13q3. Served in the Armed Forces
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05 July 2024 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 15 Issue 28
001 MILITARY APP - MERCIAN CONNECT
A message from RHQ Mercian regarding joining Mercian Connect on the Military App
A webpage has been published on The Mercian Regiment website which contains links to all of the current Association pages on Mercian Connect.
This should make it easier for members to find and join their association group pages if they haven’t joined them already, rather than relying on the search feature. Once members have joined their desired association groups(s), they’ll be easy to access via the “My Groups” dropdown on the app.
https://mercianregiment.co.uk/app-association-groups
This app is a one stop shop for all information that falls under the regimental umbrella including Regimental updates and association and branch news and as the app grows so does information that may be of interest to others such as veterans groups.
If anyone is unsure of anything please feel free to contact Sam on sam.phillips@mercianregiment.co.uk
002 CRICH PILGRIMAGE 2024
Members of the Regimental Family are invited to join The Mercian Regiment on Sunday 7 July, at Crich for the annual Pilgrimage.
Parking costs £2 per car (cash) with all proceeds going to the site.
The gate will be open at noon. Due to setting up, please do not arrive earlier or queue up and block the village. The gate will be closed at 1430 hours in preparation for the Pilgrimage and Service which is expected to commence at 1500 hours. The event will close at 1700 hours.
Hospitality this year, is brought to us by the Crich Stand Tea-Room who will be offering traditional tea-room fayre as well as prosecco! And the Lincoln Green Brewery (run by an ex woofer) will be selling Sherwood Forester beer as well as lagers, ciders, wine and spirits. They will also be providing a fast-food outlet selling burgers and hot dogs. And there will be the ice-cream van. There are various stands on site including RHQ, the museums, an Association tent and an Associations Artisans tent. There will also be some stalls selling WFR items and military themed goods.
Please note that whilst some will be accepting cards, the signal on the site is unreliable and it is advised to bring cash.
If any individual or branch wishes to lay a wreath, they are asked to assemble at the grassed area to the left of the path, near the drystone wall, by no later than 1445 hours. The Civic Dignitaries are due on site by 1450 hours and after they have lined up, please join on the end of the procession and find a suitable place to stand, once you reach the Tower. You will be called forward when it is time to lay a wreath. Wreaths can be pre-ordered, at a cost of £20, by contacting the Assistant Regimental Secretary cindy.clark247@mod.gov.uk
003 DERBY BRANCH MEETING
The next meeting of the Derby Branch WFRA is on Friday 5 July. Venue is the Allestree Social Club, 39 Cornhill, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2FS. Meeting starts at 1945hrs and the dress is casual. All are welcome.
004 REMEMBER THE FALLEN
Sandra Taylor has another list of books that have been donated to raise funds in support of her website www.rememberthefallen.co.uk
Below is a list, all are available for a reasonable donation, She is happy to explore the cost of postage if required. Included are the titles and authors but please email Sandra if you have any questions or are interested in buying any of the books:
rememberthefallen.co.uk@gmail.com
Those of you who have mailing lists for groups and associations, Sandra would be really grateful if you would forward her email and the list.
Thank you.
June 2024 Book List
D-Day – all hardback unless otherwise stated.
Cross Channel Attack - Gordon Harrison 519 pages.
The D- Day Encyclopedia 665 pages.
D-Day, The Battle for Normandy - Antony Beevor 592 pages.
Normandy ’44 - James Holland 649 pages.
Six Armies in Normandy – John Keegan 365 pages.
Voices From Normandy - Jonathan Bastable (paperback) 298 pages.
Miscellaneous War Related Books
Images of War Special Tiger I & Tiger II – Anthony Tucker-Jones (paperback) 175 pages.
Cap of Honour 300 Years of the Gloucestershire Regiment – David Scott Daniel 446 pages.
German Army Handbook 1939-1945 – James Lucas 216 pages.
Britain’s Final Defence, Arming the Home Guard 1940-1944 – Dale Clarke 287 pages.
Bloody April, Slaughter in the Skies over Arras, 1917 – Peter Hart 381 pages.
Britain’s Army in the 20th Century – Field Marshall Lord Carver 550 pages.
Decisive Battles of the Western World, From the defeat of the Spanish Armada to Waterloo – J.F.C. Fuller 561 pages.
War Walks from Agincourt to Normandy – Richard Holmes 224 pages.
Waterloo Letters – edited by Major-General H.T. Siborne 415 pages.
Charging Against Napoleon, Diaries & Letters of Three Hussars – Eric Hunt 290 pages.
Fifty Amazing Stories of the Great War 767 pages.
The Great War, Unseen Archives – Robert Hamilton 463 pages.
Mapping The Second World War – Peter Chasseaud 303 pages.
War, the Camera’s Battlefield View of Man’s Most Terrible Adventure, from the First Photographer in the Crimea to Vietnam.
Victory in Europe From D-Day to V-E Day – Max Hastings 192 pages.
Moscow 1941, The Frozen Offensive – Janusz Piekalkiewicz 287 pages.
The Civil War, An Illustrated History of the War Between the States (paperback) 425 pages.
The Faces of WW1 – Max Arthur 287 pages.
Veterans, The Last Survivors of the Great War – Richard Van Emden 208 pages.
The History of WW1 in Photographs, 100th Anniversary – Daily Mail 256 pages.
World War 1 – H.P. Willmott (paperback) 335 pages.
World War 1 Day by Day – Ian Westwell 192 pages.
I Was There, The Human Story of the Great War Volume, 2 & 3 1-496, 497 – 1016, 1017 - 1536.
005 VETERANS SUPPORT
The following are available to support veterans and their families who may be experiencing mental health difficulties;
Forcesline Tel: 0800 731 4880 (between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday)
Forces in the Community Tel 0115 922 0320 https://www.forces.org.uk/
Combat Stress (24 hours)
Veterans and their families; Tel: 0800 138 1619
Serving personnel and their families; Tel: 0800 323 4444
Samaritans (24 hours); Tel: 116 123
Safe Harbour 07799 671 979 janeager06@yahoo.co.uk
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28 June 2024 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 15 Issue 27
https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/
Funeral Details The funeral of Derek "Chippy" Wood will take place at 14.30hrs on Tuesday 16 July 2024 at the Wyre Forest Crematorium, Minster Rd, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8DE.
Flowers do not need to sent however donations to the Kemp Wyre Forest Hospice on behalf of Derek "Chippy" Wood using their homepage.
https://donate.kemphospice.org.uk/
001 MERCIAN CONNECT
Dear Regimental Family member,
You may have already heard of the exciting news for the future of our Regimental family that we will be launching MERCIAN Connect on 1st July 2024.
MERCIAN Connect is a digital community platform for Serving Personnel (Regular & Reservists), Veterans, Cadet Adult Volunteers and Partners & Families. It will transform the way we can communicate, connect and engage across the entire Regimental family and our antecedent Regiments, with peer support and in-person connection at its core.
The platform combines Groups, Events, Pinboard, Messaging & Chat, Notifications and Search & Connect functions and will be available to download in the App & Google Play Stores as well as accessible by website access for your home computer, laptop or tablet.
"The Mercian Regiment has, since its inception, been a bastion of camaraderie and a cohesive, close knit, family Regiment. With the introduction of Mercian Connect, we are poised to elevate that bond and strengthen it into the future.
Mercian Connect has been developed to serve as a cohesive platform, uniting our Regimental Family; veterans, families, the currently serving members of The Mercian Regiment and its antecedent regiments. This comprehensive application is dedicated to enhancing communication and ensuring you are well-informed about all activities and developments within The Regiment.
When you download the app and connect for the first time, you will discover a multitude of groups tailored to specific interests. Whether your inclination is to remain apprised of the latest news from The Regiment, follow Regimental sports, or engage with our Regimental museums, Mercian Connect provides a group that caters to your preferences. Furthermore, the application includes specialized groups focused on wellbeing and mental health, as well as news and entertainment, among other interests.
The primary objective of Mercian Connect is clear: to provide a platform that keeps our regimental family well-informed, connected, and supported. By joining the groups that align with your interests, you will gain access to invaluable resources that were previously unattainable through traditional communication channels.
I encourage all members of The Mercian Regiment family to download Mercian Connect at your earliest convenience, if you haven’t already, so that we may strengthen our communications with you, our Regimental family."
Lieutenant General Sir Ian Cave KCB
Stand Firm, Strike Hard
On 1st July you will receive all the information on how to download the app. Until then, please do not try to register. Please pass on this news to your branches, units and friends from the Regiment.
Thank you from the
MERCIAN Connect Team
002 CRICH PILGRIMAGE 2024
Members of the Regimental Family are invited to join The Mercian Regiment on Sunday 7 July, at Crich for the annual Pilgrimage.
Parking costs £2 per car (cash) with all proceeds going to the site.
The gate will be open at noon. Due to setting up, please do not arrive earlier or queue up and block the village. The gate will be closed at 1430 hours in preparation for the Pilgrimage and Service which is expected to commence at 1500 hours. The event will close at 1700 hours.
Hospitality this year, is brought to us by the Crich Stand Tea-Room who will be offering traditional tea-room fayre as well as prosecco! And the Lincoln Green Brewery (run by an ex woofer) will be selling Sherwood Forester beer as well as lagers, ciders, wine and spirits. They will also be providing a fast-food outlet selling burgers and hot dogs. And there will be the ice-cream van. There are various stands on site including RHQ, the museums, an Association tent and an Associations Artisans tent. There will also be some stalls selling WFR items and military themed goods.
Please note that whilst some will be accepting cards, the signal on the site is unreliable and it is advised to bring cash.
If any individual or branch wishes to lay a wreath, they are asked to assemble at the grassed area to the left of the path, near the drystone wall, by no later than 1445 hours. The Civic Dignitaries are due on site by 1450 hours and after they have lined up, please join on the end of the procession and find a suitable place to stand, once you reach the Tower. You will be called forward when it is time to lay a wreath. Wreaths can be pre-ordered, at a cost of £20, by contacting the Assistant Regimental Secretary cindy.clark247@mod.gov.uk
003 FRIENDS OF THE MERCIAN REGIMENT MUSEUM - WORCESTERSHIRE
Saturday 6 July 2024 From Sandhurst to Strensham by Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter pilot Ian Cameron
13.30 for 14.00 start. Ian will be talking about his career, initially serving in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps for 10 years, followed by 10 years flying helicopters on and off the oil rigs up to the current time where he now works as a pilot for the Midlands Air Ambulance based at Strensham, ensuring doctors and critical care paramedics reach the scene of an incident as rapidly and safely as possible and the patient reaches the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible.
Saturday 20 July 2024
A Talk By / Audience with WW2 / Cold War Veteran Bill Wheeler
Bill Wheeler joined the Royal Air Force on the 28 August 1943 as an aircraft apprentice training to be an electrician. This was the beginning of a career with the service that saw Bill posted to Pakistan for 2 years, followed by 9 months of air crew training in Canada. Qualifying as a navigator, Bill was posted to Germany for 2½ years. He served on V Force bomber squadrons for 5 years during the Cold War, when he and his colleagues were on short notice standby in the event of a nuclear attack, sometimes as short as 15 minutes to be airborne.
On Saturday 20 July 2024 Bill will be giving a talk on his varied and interesting career with the RAF and what it was like to live with the very real, ever-present threat of nuclear war and his experiences of flying as one of the crew members on V bombers. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and have a chat with Bill at the end.
Venue: Alvechurch Village Hall, 10 Bear Hill, Alvechurch B48 7JX – there is a free car park close to the hall.
Time: 13.30 for 14.00 start
Cost: £5.00 – includes light refreshments
Booking is advisable, payment can be made on the door.
Contact Sandra Taylor: friendsoftheworcesters@gmail.com
004 LONG EATON & WEST NOTTS BRANCH
Long Eaton and West Notts Branch are holding their monthly social meeting on Wednesday 3 July at 19.30hrs at The Last Post, 6A Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1AA Casual dress, all are welcome to attend.
005 ARMED FORCES WEEKEND - WORKSOP
006 FREEDOM OF ENTRY PARADE - STAPLEFORD TOWN CENTRE SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2024
The Mayor of Broxtowe has sent the following invitation to RHQ
I am delighted to invite you to join me to show your support for our Armed Forces as soldiers from Royal Engineers Works Groups exercise their Freedom of the Borough at a military parade through Stapleford Town Centre on Saturday 29 June 2024 at 11.00am. Please line the streets of Stapleford from 10.30am ready for an 11.00am parade.
Please note there will be no formal reception or reserved seating during the parade
007 VETERAN'S IN RECOVERY MEETING
Change Grow Live UK Ltd is a national recovery service for people with drug and alcohol misuse.
Staff members involved in armed forces personnel’s care , volunteers, current and former patients will meet together to share their experience of veterans/AF personnel recovering from substance misuse and design the future of our service.
Thursday 4 July 2024 09.00hrs until 18.00hrs.
For more information please call or email
Tel: 01158 960 798
Email: veteransupportworkinggroup@cgl.org.uk
008 DERBY BRANCH MEETING
The next meeting of the Derby Branch WFRA is on Friday 5 July. Venue is the Allestree Social Club, 39 Cornhill, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2FS. Meeting starts at 1945hrs and the dress is casual. All are welcome.
.............................................................
VETERANS SUPPORT
The following are available to support veterans and their families who may be experiencing mental health difficulties;
Forcesline Tel: 0800 731 4880 (between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday)
Combat Stress (24 hours)
Veterans and their families; Tel: 0800 138 1619
Serving personnel and their families; Tel: 0800 323 4444
Samaritans (24 hours); Tel: 116 123
Safe Harbour 07799 671 979 janeager06@yahoo.co.uk
M A DACK
for Executive Committee
