The double-headed eagle flew over the National Memorial Arboretum again on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the formation of Mercian Volunteers and the dedication of the stone memorial. This sees the completion of the Mercian Grove which began with the planting of the four trees in 2004.
This was a joyous occasion that was witnessed by a large gathering of over 300 hundred ex-Mercians, their families and friends. The Memorial was unveiled by the Association President, Brigadier HA Woolnough CBE who was assisted by the Chairman Colonel AB Griffiths CBE, TD, DL, JP. The Reverend Prebendary RD Cheadle MBE,TD led the service of dedication. Among the guests were the Mayor & Mayoress of Lichfield, the Regimental Secretary of the Mercian Regiment, the Project Officer of the Mercian Regiment and the Chief Executive of the National Memorial Arboretum. The weather could not have been kinder; it was a beautiful English Summer's day!
The Warwickshire Volunteer Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers provided the music for the dedication, the reception and the march past.
The stone was taken from a local quarry and the carving was executed by well-known West Midlands sculptor, Andy de Comyn, who has already created a number of sculptures in the Arboretum.
The Warwickshire Volunteer Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers provided the music for the dedication, the reception and the march past.
The stone was taken from a local quarry and the carving was executed by well-known West Midlands sculptor, Andy de Comyn, who has already created a number of sculptures in the Arboretum.
Brigadier HA Woolnough CBE speaking to the members,
supported by Colonel AB Griffiths CBE, TD, JP, DL &
Reverend Prebendary RD Cheadle MBE, TD
supported by Colonel AB Griffiths CBE, TD, JP, DL &
Reverend Prebendary RD Cheadle MBE, TD
The Mercian Grove would not have happened without the generosity and hard work of ex-Mercians, donations from other related organisations and a substantial grant from the Awards for All programme of the National Lottery. Not forgetting the goodwill, support and encouragement from the staff of the Arboretum.
A big thank you to everyone for such an enjoyable and memorable day, meeting old friends, embellishing the stories, but still worth telling. Mercian Volunteers may have passed into history, but the family is still very much alive.
A big thank you to everyone for such an enjoyable and memorable day, meeting old friends, embellishing the stories, but still worth telling. Mercian Volunteers may have passed into history, but the family is still very much alive.
The march past led by the Rugeley Branch Standard carried by George Falls, Parade Marshall RSM Tommy Falls.
