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The Mercian Family Newsletter The Mercian Family Issue 5: November 2014 Newsletter The Heart of England’s Infantry News Regimental News – On Remembrance Sunday, it was the 96th anniversary of the guns falling silent on the western front after over four years of war. From 1919 until 1945, Armistice Day observance was always on 11 November itself. It was then moved to Remembrance Sunday. Since 1995 it has become normal to hold ceremonies on both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Remembrance Sunday is held to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. 100 years ago today, thousands of soldiers from all antecedent regiments of The Mercian Regiment were fighting on the western front. The Battle of Nonne Bosschen had just started, involving the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment and 2nd South Staffords. This was the last major German attack on the British lines during the first battle of Ypres. Other battalions of The Sherwood Foresters, The Cheshire Regiment, The Worcestershire Regiment and The Staffords were fighting all along the western front. During the two minutes of silence, we remember all soldiers who have been killed in war, whether in the Great War, the 2nd World War or those wars and conflicts since 1945. We also remember those 32 soldiers who have been killed in action since the formation of The Mercian Regiment in 2007. Regimentally, battalions have been involved in over 70 events since Sunday. Images and further information on these will follow in December’s newsletter. 1 MERCIAN – Soldiers from 1 MERCIAN took part in the Army’s most arduous competition during October. The Cambrian Patrol is a British Army challenge that has been taking place since 1948. It involves patrolling over 50 kilometres in the Brecon Beacons and carrying over 30 kilograms of fighting equipment. Over 90 teams from around the world entered the competition this year, with six failing to complete it. No teams were awarded a gold standard medal, and only five teams received a silver medal of which the MERCIAN team was one. The battalion was also rewarded by Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellwood for its hard work since formation. Instead of soldiers attending one of their fitness sessions, they were offered a brew as part of the SSAFA (Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association) ‘Big Brew Up’ – a charity which supports servicemen and their families. In a busy month, on the 31st October, 1 MERCIAN soldiers took part in the centenary commemoration for the Battle of Gheluvelt. Further information on this follows later in the newsletter. 2 MERCIAN – At the beginning of October, 2 MERCIAN completed its hand over as the lead infantry battalion for its six month Operation TOSCA deployment in Cyprus. Over 40 soldiers from 4 MERCIAN (Reserve) have also deployed. Togeth er the battalions have been patrolling the Buffer Zone known as the ‘Green Line,’ keeping a watchful eye over the opposing Greek and Turkish Forces. The Regular and Reserve partnership is being conducted by the Mercian Regiment as part of its new Army 2020 structure. On shores closer to home, 2 MERCIAN soldiers were called in to drive ambulances during public sector strikes. In total, 20 military personnel from 2 MERCIAN deployed to Greater Manchester to support local civil authorities. Before deployment, the soldiers were trained with this delivered by the ambulance service. It consisted of nine ambulances with specialist trainers to teach different lessons. 4 MERCIAN – Alongside deploying on Op TOSCA, elements of 4 MERCIAN completed their annual two week training exercise on the Salisbury Plain Training Area during early October. Alongside 2 MERCIAN, 11 soldiers from the Mortar Cadre - whose civilian roles range from statistician to electrician - practiced firing live 81mm mortar rounds at targets. The senior members of the platoon have also honed their skills with individual weapons, improving their speed and accuracy. The Band Of The MERCIAN Regiment – In September, The Band of the MERCIAN Regiment played in Chester to commemorate Mons Day, marching the Regiment up the hill from Chester Castle to the Cathedral, and again after the service. In early November, the band played ahead of the Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City FC at The Molineux. This was part of Remembrance commemorations for the West Midlands club. In a busy week for the band, on Remembrance Sunday it led the parade of Uniformed Service Personnel at Birmingham's Central Remembrance Service. As Birmingham marked the two minute silence, and the last post echoed around the square, band members were amazed how quiet such a large crowd of people could be. Cadets – Derbyshire ACF (Army Cadet Force) took over Derby City Centre for the afternoon in late September to celebrate its annual Cadet Parade. Cadets marched from the Assembly Rooms, through the city centre and entered The Cathedral of All Saints. The service was led by County Padres Major Peter Swales, Major David Truby and Major Kevin Ball. Readings were given by senior cadets including Cadet Sergeant Fretwell and Cadet Sergeant Tymon. Hereford & Worcester ACF have taken part in WWI Commemorative events throughout the year, including at Gheluvelt Park in Worcester on 31st October. This was to mark the 100 year anniversary of The Battle of Gheluvelt. Staffordshire & West Midlands ACF deployed on its annual camp, with just under 600 Cadets, Officers and Adult Instructors travelling to Warcop Training Area in Cumbria. The cadets aged 13 to 18 years old, took part in a variety of challenging military exercises. They practiced their first aid skills, map and compass reading, rifle shooting and military knowledge, despite torrential rain which threatened to affect the training programme. This year’s 143 (WM) Brigade Military Skills Competition was held at Swynerton Training Camp during October. An opportunity for cadets to bring together all their knowledge, the competition is meant to test the cadets to the limit physically and mentally in a non-stop 48 hours. Staffordshire and West Midlands ACF excelled, with C Company also finishing first in a brigade orienteering competition. Prince Of Wales Division - The Prince of Wales Division completed a week of Adventure Training in Newquay at the start of October. Based at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall, the five day course provided a fantastic opportunity for personnel from across the division to try their hand at surfing and mountain biking. Members of 1 and 2 Mercian, the MERCIAN Regimental Support Team, 1 Royal Irish and 1 Royal Welsh took part. The Adventure Training was led by Lieutenant Colonel Smallbone, providing a welcome morale boost for all involved, and an opportunity to increase the team bond between the different Regiments within the division. Infantry Training School - MERCIAN recruits from 4 Platoon of the Prince of Wales' Division Company fundraised for ABF, The Soldiers Charity in October, raising over £3000 from bag packing, car washing, and the general public’s kind donations. The month ended in superb style, with all of the MERCIAN fundraisers passing out from the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick. They now begin their challenging career within the Regiment. Battle of Gheluvelt Commemorations – Almost 100 soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment paraded through Gheluvelt Park, Worcester on 31st October. They were led by the Commanding Officer of 1 MERCIAN, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellwood, and joined by the regimental mascot Private Derby XXX, the Colours of 1 and 4 MERCIAN, and the Worcester branch of the Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Associations. This was to mark the centenary of the 2nd Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment’s victory against the Germans at the battle of Gheluvelt. On the morning of 31 October 1914 near the small town of Gheluvelt in Belgium, the Germans broke through the Allied defensive line. With an easy route to the Channel ports and 13 German Battalions on the charge, The Worcestershire Regiment’s 2nd Battalion were called to counter attack. Elsewhere across the Allied line, orders were issued to prepare for a general retreat. Already down to half of their capacity due to 10 days of hard battle, against overwhelming odds the 2nd Worcestershire showed immense courage, pushing the Germans back and plugging the gap in the Allied defensive line, saving the Channel ports in the process. The march stopped for the unveiling of a memorial stone to commemorate those from The Worcestershire Regiment who fought and died for their country. It then continued to the park’s First World War memorial sculpture. The names of the 34 soldiers that were killed during the Battle of Gheluvelt were read out, followed by the laying of wreaths, and the playing of the last post and national anthem. In the evening, the Worcester branch hosted a dinner at the Guildhall, High Street for the Regimental family. During this, Professor Hew Strachan of All Souls, Oxford University talked about “The First World War: Commemoration or Celebration?” A new website containing further information on the battle can be found here. Awang Anak Raweng – On the 29th October, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Temminck, Through Life Care Officer for The Mercian Regiment met Mr Awang anak Raweng, who was awarded the George Cross (GC) whilst serving with The 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment in Malaya in 1951. Awang was in the UK after he was invited by the Victoria Cross & George Cross Association, attending a reception at Buckingham Palace where he met Her Majesty, The Queen. Awang has asked that his best wishes are passed on to all our veterans from The Worcestershire Regiment. Part of Awang anak Raweng GC citation is: “Awang anak Raweng GC, an Iban Scout from Sarawak in Borneo, won the George Cross for gallantry as recorded in the London Gazette on 20 November 1951.
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