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THE WORCESTERSHIRE AND SHERWOOD FORESTERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION
Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
President: Brig P Dennis
You can also view the Newsletter in pdf format here (http://www.stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk/index.php/newsletter)
Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
President: Brig P Dennis CBE
01 December 2023 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 14 Issue 54
001 THE MERCIAN REGIMENT WELCOMES THEIR NEW COLONEL IN CHIEF
The Prince of Wales took a ride inside a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle during an attack exercise on Salisbury Plain. The exercise formed part of Prince William's first visit to the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment as their Colonel in Chief. Prince William was appointed to the role by His Majesty The King in August this year, and the visit allowed Prince William to have a first hand introduction to the regiment.
The Prince was briefed on the recent work of the regiment and also about a future deployment to Poland next year and also received a briefing on the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle before being taken out on the vehicle to observe the exercise.
Prince William threw smoke grenades from the Warrior as he joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, during a simulated attack on an enemy position, whilst sitting in the gunner position on the infantry fighting vehicle as he took part in the mock assault as part of a multi vehicle attack on an enemy stronghold within a wooded area, which culminated in troops assaulting the location.
Finally, the Prince met groups of service personnel to hear about their different roles and experiences in the regiment.
"His Royal Highness was in the gunner seat of the vehicle I was travelling in and he also came to sit on orders with myself," Sergeant Kirton said.
"I gave the lads orders for what was going to happen at each point of the operation.
"He was operating weapons systems on the Warrior, and he was also throwing smoke to create a screen for the troops moving through the wood.
"In his new role as colonel-in-chief of the regiment, he will realise what we do as a unit as we are infantry but also using the vehicles.
"The prince was listening to the orders I was giving as I briefed the lads.
"From what I saw, I think he felt very excited when he saw all the smoke and the bangs going off, so hopefully he enjoyed it," added Sgt Kirton, from Worcester.
On the official X, formerly known as Twitter, account of The Prince and Princess of Wales, the meeting was called a "memorable" introduction to the Mercian Regiment. "A memorable hands on introduction to the Mercian Regiment as its Colonel in Chief. A real education 'in the field' and understanding the work of modern infantry in the British Army," the Kensington Royal account said.
Speaking after the visit had finished, Sergeant Mark Kirton, who was the section commander for the troops taking part in the ground assault on the enemy position, said Prince William was "very excited" by the exercise.
"His Royal Highness was in the gunner seat of the vehicle I was travelling in and he also came to sit on orders with myself," Sergeant Kirton said.
"I gave the lads orders for what was going to happen at each point of the operation. He was operating weapons systems on the Warrior, and he was also throwing smoke to create a screen for the troops moving through the wood. In his new role as Colonel in Chief of the regiment, he will realise what we do as a unit as we are infantry but also using the vehicles. The prince was listening to the orders I was giving as I briefed the lads. From what I saw, I think he felt very excited when he saw all the smoke and the bangs going off, so hopefully he enjoyed it," added Sgt Kirton, from Worcester.
Images courtesy of Kensington Palace and BFBS.
002 NOTTINGHAM FOREST ARMED FORCES HEALTH AND WELLBEING HUBS
Monday 4th December, 6:00pm - 7.30pm
Join us for our Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing Hubs at the City Ground. These hubs will run monthly on the first Monday of each month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the City Ground. The sessions are specifically tailored to address the health needs of veterans, providing a space for them to connect, share experiences, and find support within a community that understands their journey.
To book your place follow the link below.
003 DEVELOPING AN ONLINE ASSESSMENT OF PTSD FOR VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Research Aims
To develop and evaluate computer-based visual tests that are sensitive to symptoms of PTSD in UK service veterans.
Participation Details
We are inviting UK service veterans who have completed operational tours to participate in a study at the University of Leicester.
Participants will undertake a series of computer-based visual tasks and questionnaires.
We may also use safe and non-invasive measures of eye movements and electrical activity in the brain (EEG).
Sessions will take up to 4 hours - including breaks.
Optional online questionnaire to reduce time in study session.
You will be paid up to £60.00 to compensate your time and cover travel expenses to travel to the University of Leicester.
Research Team & Funding
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
The study is being run by an experienced team of researchers and a clinical psychologist at the University of Leicester’s School of Psychology & Vision Sciences.
Contact
If you would like to participate or learn more about the study, please see our website or contact Dr Sam Tyler at: Email: slt49@leicester.ac.uk, Tel: 0116 229 7176
004 STEVENSON POSTCARD
A postcode from 2/7 Sherwood Foresters - 1915 Christmas/New Year 1916 from 3222 Pte A Stevenson has been found. If anyone knows any member of the family, so that the postcard can be passed to them, they are asked to contact the Assistant Regimental Secretary cindy.clark247@mod.gov.uk
005 WFRA - DERBY BRANCH
Derby Branch will be holding its final meeting of 2023 on Friday 1 December.
Venue is the Allestree Social Club, 39 Cornhill, Allestree, Derby. DE22 2FS.
Meeting commences at 1945hrs. Dress is casual.
This meeting is the "President's Draw", a long standing tradition, where all attending are cordially invited to bring along a prize.
Members of the Mercian Regiment, antecedent regiments and other arms / corps are welcome.
006 WFRA - LONG EATON & WEST NOTTS BRANCH
Long Eaton and West Notts branch will be holding their last social meeting of 2023 on Wednesday 6 December at The Last Post, 6A Chilwell Road, Beeston Nottingham NG9 1AA.
All are Welcome to attend.
007 WFRA - WORCESTER BRANCH MEETING
The next Worcester Branch meeting will be on Tuesday 12th December 2023.
19:30 for 20:00hrs start in the lounge at Barbourne Ex Services Club, The Moors, Worcester WR1 3ED. Branch membership cards with 2024 meetings dates on will be issued.
There will be mince pies after the meeting. It is also the Annual Presidents Raffle.If you have any donations for the raffle and have the time please wrap your gifts.
If you would like to donate to the Presidents Raffle but will not be able to attend, our Branch President Lt Col (Retd.) Mark Jackson OBE has chosen the Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) our local museum.
To donate please click on the link below for details.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=P4BWDKT9BH4C6&ssrt=1700754159773
008 APPEAL FOR FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN
A British Army veteran and artist who has painted portraits of each and every member of the British Armed Forces who died in Afghanistan has urged families of the war dead to get in touch.
In 2021, Kevin Wills, who served with the Royal Logistic Corps, began the portraits of all 457 who died serving in Afghanistan and has now finished the paintings, but he is trying to find the last family members to send the paintings to.
There is a crowdfunding page that was set up by another veteran to pay for all the portraits.
"Most of them have all gone out, so I think I've got about 140 yet to be framed up and to get sent to the respected families but it's all due to funding. As soon as the funds come in, I'm able to pay for the frames and the delivery costs. I think there's just under 100 portraits that are unclaimed yet, or the family haven't got back to me with an address," he said.
"I can send the portrait on as soon as I can get that framed up and everything. You can see everything on my website as well, which another veteran kindly set up for me."
The website, www.thefallenofafghanistan.co.uk, shows the portraits that are yet to be claimed.
Mr Wills also said the feedback he has received from doing the paintings has been "really good", as well as being "emotional for the families" and himself.
"It's indescribable, the emotions," he said.
"When I've been speaking to the families, they're obviously overjoyed that people are still thinking about them at the end of the day" "That was my main objective of the project, to help everyone remember all of our fallen friends and soldiers.".
009 ATTENTION ALL GAMERS
Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those who served in conflicts over the last 30 years.
If that's you, we'd really appreciate you taking the time to complete our super short questionnaire.
Over the coming months we will be hosting a range of gaming activities for you to get involved in, a few examples are listed below:
Video Podcast starting early 2024 exploring a range of subjects from the world of gaming.
Meet-ups at gaming venues and businesses, think eSports team to games developers
Gaming challenge - 'Green Lid or Dustbin Lid'. Think ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Star Car’ with added Space Invaders and you’ll be in the right ballpark.
If you have any ideas we’d love to hear them. Just include details in the additional info at the bottom of the form.
Better still, if you're interested in getting involved in some capacity please indicate in the additional information box at the bottom of the form.
Please feel free to share with anyone from the armed forces community who's interested in gaming.
Company of Makers are funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Arts Council England and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.
010 ANZIO VETERANS
Are you a Sherwood Forester Veteran who fought at Anzio, or do you know of a man who did? If so, please contact the Assistant Regimental Secretary, along with you contact details, as plans are underway for the 80th anniversary commemorations. cindy.clark247@mod.gov.uk
011 MINISTRY OF TARTAN
The Ministry of Tartan sells many items from scarves and wraps to ties, bow ties and kilts. With donations from sales being made to military charities. Further information can be found at: www.theministryoftartan.co.uk
012 JOB VACANCY
A vacancy has arisen for someone with experience in hospitality & management skills to act as Steward for a private member’s Club lunchtimes and occasional events.
Location Nottingham City Centre.
For more information please contact Contact Sue Bell 07742 138 125.
013 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
M A DACK
for Executive Committee
Social media :-
Mercian Museum (WFR Collection)
Mercian Museum (WFR Collection)
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