Gheluvelt Commemoration Ceremony 31st October 2014
ON PARADE
The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire
Lt Col P Holcroft LVO OBE
Parade Commander
Lt Col M C P Ellwood MBE
Parade Regimental Sergeant Major
WO1 (RSM) R Page
COLOUR PARTIES
1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment
Queens Colour Regimental Colour
Lt P Anderson Lt S Randell
Csgt J Dickinson WO2 E Vezza Csgt G Clements
4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment
Queens Colour Regimental Colour
Lt L Watts 2Lt S Moulding
Csgt M Walker WO2 P Harding Csgt S Coulson
THE GUARDS
No 1 Guard No 2 Guard
Maj H Porteous Maj W Blackhurst
BAND OF THE ROYAL LOGISTICS CORPS
Bandmaster – WO1 S O`Neill
REGIMENTAL MASCOT OF THE MERCIAN REGIMENT
Pte Derby XXX
Standards of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association and the Royal British Legion
The Royal Navy - Army - Air Force Cadet Forces
ORDER OF CEREMONY
March On Colours and Guards (Spectators Stand)
The Ceremony will begin with a commemorative firing by 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery of a 105mm light gun
The Regimental Marches
Welcome by Major (Retired) R H Fox
President Worcester Branch WFRA
Address by Colonel D R Sneath MA TD DL
Reprentative Colonel The Mercian Regiment
Unveiling by Mrs Julia Brotherton
Major Hankey`s Granddaughter
Dedication of Regimental Stone
Bishop Christopher Mayfield
My apologies for any mistakes with names/titles / rank and not being able to remember some that I should. For corrections / alterations please contact through 'Feedback' page (17).
Prices for photos on page 14 (prices for photos and disc)
 1 L>, Phil Banks RBL, Allan Poyner and Charlie Harding Worcester Branch Members |
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 2 on duty the youngest cadet on right |
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 3 Pte Derby XXX with Ram Major Cpl Thornton and Ram Orderely Pte Seager. Derby is a Swaledale Ram from the Duke of Devonshires flock at Chatsworth. |
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 4 Soldiers of The Mercian Regiment form up near the Sons of Rest pavillion. |
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 5 Present Arms as the Regimental Colours pass. |
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 6 The Armed Forces Community Covenant display in the large marquee. |
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 7 SSAFA Sailors Soldiers Air Force Association |
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 8 Remember the fallen |
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 9 The Western Front Association |
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 10 The Mercian Museum (Worcestershire) shop. |
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 11 The Mercian Museum (Worcestershire) display of photos of Victoria Cross recipients. |
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 12 The Pilgrim Bandits, Caring for Forces Amputees. |
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 13 Friends of Gheluvelt with their embroidery and 'Poppy Wall' with attached names of the fallen. |
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 14 214 Battery (Worcestershire), Royal Artillery. With drone on display |
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 15 The Mercian Regiment |
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 16 Global Cannon Owners Club |
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 17 |
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 18 The Royal British Legion. |
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 19 The TS Worcester Sea cadets |
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 20 Age UK |
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 21 L> Martin Stringfellow, re-enactors outside the World War 100 project bell tent |
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 22 The Blue Roof |
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 23 The memorial Stone ready for unveiling |
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 24 L>, Pte Dolman, Pte Wilson. |
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 25 L>, 'Mini' Cooper, ? , Dave Plant, Bill Chambers & Ernie, Dennis Wright |
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 26 R <, Alan Fish, Allan Poyner, Arthur Turner, 'Mini' Cooper. |
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 27 R<, John Walters, Alan Fish. Allan Poyner, Arthur Turner, 'Mini' Cooper. |
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 28 On epv John Cornes behind from left, Graham Yapp, Brian Hewlett, Colin Perry, John Hewlett |
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 29 front L>, Tony Grubb, ?, Val Easterlow Charlie Harding, Martin Stringfellow. |
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 30 With Wreath, Peter Dunn |
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 31 L> Canon Paul Tongue (Worcester Branch Padre).at Back,Canon Stuart Currie St Stephens Church/Parish. Bishop Christopher Mayfield, Harry Massam (Worcester Branch Chairman) |
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 32 Front Right, Laurence Gardner |
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 33 Harry Massam Chairman, talks to Mike Layland,former Mayor Worcester and Freeman of City. |
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 34 Mayors of Worcestershire and Consorts, Regimental Guests. |
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 35 L >, Dr Adrian Gregson WW100 project. Former Mayor Worcester Pat Agar and Dave Carney, Consort. Lt Col Rtd John Reynolds . |
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 36 Deputy Colonel The Mercian Regiment, D R Sneath MA TD DL. |
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 37 |
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 38 Haig Homes Resident, with Shiela Brice Worcester Branch Steward. |
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 39 L>, Deputy Colenel The Mercian Regiment D Sneath MA TD DL, ADC Captain Shergold. |
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 40 L>, Worcester MP Robin Walker and Harry Massam peruse the programme for the Ceremony. |
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 41 Maurice Smith,Worcester Branch Secretary. Marshal for Standard Bearers, gives the Bearers last minute instructions. |
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 42 Haig Homes Residents and Guests. |
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 43 nearest seated Ron, Kidderminster Branch |
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 44 L >,Lt Col John Reynolds ex Normandy Landings Veteran, Robin Walker MP, Patrick Baert and Sabine Vanderhaeghen, representing the Mayor of Zonnebeke, Belgium. |
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 45 The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Worcester talks with Sabine Vanderhaeghen. |
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 46 Some of the Ladies of Worcester Branch. |
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 47 The Band of The Royal Logistics Corp, march on to the Ceremony area. |
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 48 |
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 49 |
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 50 Pte Derby XXX and Handlers. |
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 51 No. 1 Guard for the Colours. |
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 52 |
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 53 The Queens and Regimental Colours of the 1st Battalion and 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment. |
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 54 The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Lt Col P Holcroft LVO OBE and Deputy Colonel The Mercian Regiment Col D Sneath MA TD DL. Inspect Pte Derby XXX and Handlers with Parade Commander LT Col MCP Ellwood MBE. |
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 56 |
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 55 In Bowler hat Mjr Rtd Richard Fox, President Worcester Branch, Mayor of Worcester Alan Amos and officer The Mercian Regt. |
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56 Nearest Standard Bearer, John Walters Worcester Branch. |
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 57 Lord Lt P Holcroft inspects 1st Guard |
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 58 Mayor Alan Amos talks with Cpl The Ram Major. |
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 59 Mayor Alan Amos with No 1 Guard. |
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 60 Dignitaries and VIP`s |
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 61 Inspection No. 2 Guard. |
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 62 Mayor Alan Amos with The Colours of 1st and 4th Battalions The Mercian Regiment. |
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 66 |
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 67 Inspections over , return to positions to await the firing of the 105mm light gun by 214 (Worcestershire) Battery RA. |
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 68 Parade Commander Lt Col MCP Ellwood MBE. |
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 69 Mjr Rtd Richard Fox Worcester Branch President and Maurice Smith Worcester Branch Secretary wait for the gun to fire. |
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 70 The 1st and 4th Battalions The Mercian Regiment Colours. |
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 72 The 105mm light gun |
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 73 The gun is prepared. |
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 74 The gun is fired signalling the start of the Ceremony. |
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 75 The Royal Logistics Corps play the Worcestershire Regimental Marches, 'The Royal Windsor' and 'The Lincolnshire Poacher'. |
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 76 |
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 77 Welcome speech by Mjr Rtd Richard Fox, President Worcester Branch WFRA and head of the day`s organising committee |
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 78 From R <, (with sash)WO2 Rtd graham Bird Chairman Kidderminster Branch, Mercian Volunteers. Bishop Christopher mayfield, Canon Paul Tongue. |
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 79 Address from Representative Colonel The Mercian Regiment Lt Col DR Sneath MA TD DL. and invitation to Mrs Julia Brotherton to unveil the Worcestershire Regiment memorial Stone. |
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 80 |
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 81 Mrs Julia Brotherton Grandaughter of Major E Hankey who led the Charge of the 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment at The Battle of Gheluvelt. |
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 85 |
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 86 The Union Flag is ceremoniously folded and marched away. |
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 87 The Representative Colonel and Clergy prepare for the Dedication. |
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 88 Bishop Christopher Mayfield. |
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 89 The Dedication of the Stone. |
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 90 |
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 91 Canon Paul Tongue. He is wearing the robes of Reverend Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, better known to the public as Woodbine Willie, |
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 92 Bishop Christopher Mayfield finishes the Dedication with the sign of the cross. |
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 93 The Bishop and Colonel Read out the Worcestershire Regimental Prayer for all to join in. |
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 94 Mjr Rtd Richard Fox worcester Branch President requests all to remain where they are, whilst the Colours, Guard, Band and Veterans proceed to the Interpretative Feature. |
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 95 The Band reverse order to march the short distance to the feature. |
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 99 |
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 100 The Standards march to the rear of the Feature. |
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 101 The Colours arrive opposite the stone altar. |
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 102 L>, John Walters with the WFRA Area Standard, Alan Fish with The Worcestershire Regiments Standard (Worcesters, Worcs Hussars, Worcs Artillery) |
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 103 Centre, Dave Plant, Worcester Branch member who done the groundwork for Memorial Stone. Right, Mick Salter Kidderminster Branch. |
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 104 WFRA Association and other Regimental Associations members. |
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 105 |
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 106 |
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 107 |
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 108 Maurice Smith discussing the wreath laying procedure with the Lord Lieutenant. |
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 109 L > , Col Rtd Brian Clarke, Patrick Baert, Mjr Rtd Bob Prophet, Sabine Vanderhaeghen. |
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 110 R < < Lord Lieutenant Lt Col PHolcroft LVO OBE, Representative Colonel The Mercian Regiment Lt Col DR Sneath MA TD DL, Mrs Julia Brotherton, Mayor of Worcester Alan Amos, Robin Walker MP, Pam Davey Chairman of Council, Maurice Smith Worcester Branch Secretary Instructing Mayors of Worcestershire on wreath Laying procedure. |
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 111 |
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 112 |
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 113 Canon Paul Tongue (in red) conducting Commemoration service. |
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 114 |
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 115 Canon Paul Tongue Reads the names of the 34 men on the Gheluvelt Roll of Honour whilst the band plays Elgars 'Nimrod' . The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire lays the first wreath. |
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 116 |
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 117 Lt Col DR Sneath and Mrs Julia Brotherton. |
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 118 L> Lt Col DR Sneath, Mrs Julia Brotherton, Worcester Mayor Alan Amos, Robin Walker MP. |
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 119 |
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 120 Pam Davey Chairman of Council, Worcestershire County Mayors. |
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 121 |
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 122 L > , ? , Dave Waldron Chairman Worcestershire Royal British Legion, Hazel Gandy (wife of the late Joe Gandy Worc Rgt), ?. |
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 123 L > , ?, Lt Rtd Peter Dunn Secretary Kidderminster Branch WFRA, WO2 Graham Bird Chairman Kidderminster MVRA, Capt Dave Morgan 214 Battery (Worcestershire) RA. |
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 124 |
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124 L > , Sea Cadets Cheif Petty Officer Paul Hormsby, TS Worcester. Major Jeff Hyde Hereford and Worcester ACF, John Johnson Chesterfield Branch WFRA. |
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 125 The Last Post |
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 126 Standards are at the dip for the 2 minute silence |
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 127 Reveille |
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 128 Canon Paul Tongue with the 'Kohima Epitaph'
When you go home, tell them of us and say:
For your tomorrow we gave our today. |
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 131 Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Lt Col P Holcroft, standing next to him is a grandson of Mrs Julia Brotherton. |
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 132 Heads are bowed as the prayers are read out. |
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 134 After Canon Paul Tongue has recited the prayers and Mercian Regimental Prayer, the Bishop Christopher Mayfield closes the prayers with the Blessing. |
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 135 The Colours are lowered for the National Anthem. |
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 137 |
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 138 Parade Commander Lt Col MCP Ellwood MBE asks the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire for permission for the Colours to march off. |
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 139 Standards are lowered in salute as the Colours March Off. |
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 140 |
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 141 Mjr Rtd Richard Fox President Worcester Branch WFRA give a short speech of thanks and invites people to tour the displays. |
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 142 Representative Colonel The Mercian Regiment with the Bishop and Canons. |
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 143 Worcester Branch WFRA Worcestershire Regiments Standard Bearer Alan Fish awaits the dismissal. |
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 144 L > , Representative Colonel The Regiment Lt Col DR Sneath MA TD DL, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Lt Col P Holcroft LVO OBE. |
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 145 Poppy Crosses are placed in the centre of Feature. |
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 146 Centre Col Rtd Mark Jackson talks with Mrs Holcroft. |
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 147 Brigadier PFB Hargrave CBE DL. With Colonel DR Sneath MA. TD. DL. Representative Colonel The Mercian Regiment |
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 148 Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire with Cecil Duckworth CBE and Freeman of the City of Worcester. |
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 149 Alderman Mrs Sabine Vanderhaeghen and Mr Patrick Baert, representing the Mayor of Zonnebeke. Zonnebeke is a Belgian municipality comprising five villages, including Gheluvelt. |
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 150 L >, Mrs Julia Brotherton and Mr Brotherton. |
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 151 L > , Dr Adrian Gregson World war 100 Project, with Mrs Julia Brotherton explaining the items in her grandfather`s ( Major EB Hankey who led the 2nd Worcesters at Gheluvelt) cuttings book. |
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 152 L > , back of Robin walker MP with Mjr Rtd Chris Howse ( whose Great Uncle, William Morris name is on the Roll Of Honour) and Mrs Howse. |
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 155 |
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 156 Mjr Rtd C Howse and Mrs Howse |
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 157 Mjr Rtd C Howse near the name of his great uncle, William Morris. |
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 158 Mr Patrick Baert and Sabine Vanderhaeghen next to the Gheluvelt Roll of Honour. |
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 159 Maurice Smith Worcester Branch Secretary. |
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 160 Mr and Mrs Bagley, Mr John Bagley`s Grandfather John Thomas Bagley 9701 fought at Gheluvelt and survived the War. He was presented with a 50th Anniversary medal which Mr John Bagley is wearing, he is the third generation to be named John. |
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 161 John Bagley`s Grand father`s 50th Anniversary of Gheluvelt Medal.( Two photos from the 50th Anniversary parade can be found on the Old photos of interest page on this site, two Worcester Branch members were on parade that day in 1964) |
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 162 Pte Hall`s name has been missing from the Roll of Honour and has now been added at the bottom of the centre column. |
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 163 Mrs Julia Brotherton next to the Memorial Stone |
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 164 Mrs Brotherton was wearing a Worcestershire Regiment with Naval Crown and Banner 'Sweetheart' badge
on her hat. |
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 165 Tenbury Wells Royal British Legion singers. |
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 166 214 (Worcestershire) Battery 105mm light gun and crew. |
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 167 |
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 168 The Mercian Regiment recruiting stall. |
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 169 The Tenbury Wells Royal British Legion Male Voice Choir. |
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