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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)
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/54c3de5368e2/wfra-newsletter-volume-9-issue-41?e=6b18b1db6f)
Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
President: Brig P Dennis
14 JUNE 2019 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 10 Issue 25
OBITUARY
It is with regret that we inform you No. 22587246 Cpl Alfred Nicklin died on 5th June 2019.
He was born in Dudley on 26th July 1933, Alf enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment in 1952 and went on to serve in Mayala with 1st Battalion and was demobbed in 1954.
On leaving the army he worked in the building trade, Villiers Motorbikes. D.M,W, and Simon Engineering.
His outside interest was his love of motorbikes.
His funeral will take place, at Gornal Wood Crematorium, 7 Chase Road, Dudley, West Midlands. DY3 2RL
on Friday 28th June 2019 at 14.10hrs.
Letters of condolence can be sent to his daughter,
Elizabeth Nicklin, 19 Keats Close, The Straits, Dudley, West Midlands DY3. 3EA
Funeral Directors, J. T, Brooks, 68 - 72 Mount Pleasant, Quarry Bank. West Midlands. DY5. 2YS
FUNERAL DETAILS
The funeral of Lt Col Peter Holmes will be held at 14.00hrs on Tuesday 18 June at St Leonards Church, High Street, Bulford, SP4 9DR followed by burial at Bulford Cemetery.
The family would welcome any members of the Regimental Family that knew him to attend the service.
Should you need further information please contact Peter on 07929 722 819.
Letters of condolence may be sent to Mrs Elisabeth Holmes, Hazelhead, Robin Hill Lane, Durrington, Salisbury SP4 8DN
001 THE WW1 TOMMY GUNN BOOK SERIES
Mereo Books new release ‘Chronicles of the winter world’
All five novels in the WW1 ‘Tommy Gunn’ series five book set. Written by leading military historian, John Hughes-Wilson, the five historically accurate novels in the Tommy Gunn Adventures Series,takes us from the outbreak of The Great War, through the horror of the trenches and arduous campaigns to the eventual Armistice.
Publication Date: 28 JUNE 2019 to mark the centenary of the signing of The Treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919.
“A unique contribution to World War One literature” Brian MacArthur, author of ‘King and Country’
In 1914 they could not have known just how long this war would last or just how many lives it would cost ...
When we first meet T.O.M. Gunn, he’s a young infantry lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters, back on leave from India just as Europe catches fire in the chaotic summer of 1914.
The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) is off to France, and Gunn joins a hastily formed mixed battalion of reservists,
regular and territorial soldiers. He soon finds himself pitchforked into the mayhem and suffering of unrelenting war.
Soon the high hopes of short conflict fade into the horrific reality of the trenches,
Thaddeus Gunn and his men realise that this is going to be a long and bloody war and they will be lucky if any of them survive ....Hughes-Wilson places the main character, Thaddeus (‘Tommy’) Gunn, at most of the major battles of the war,in order to show us the utter terror and slaughter suffered by the troops.
Although this series of books are fictional accounts, the use of real diaries of young officers who fought, and the quotes from newspapers of the day,give these novels authenticity and help the reader appreciate how people actually lived through the war.
Now, with the release of all five novels to mark the Centenary of the Treaty of Versailles, readers can follow Hughes-Wilson’s creation, ‘Tommy Gunn’ throughout the entire war. These powerful novels stand as a testament to the heroism and sacrifice of a generation of young men.
''Gripping ... superbly written, true to life down to the least military detail, and very exciting. Readers will be keen to follow the fortunes of Thaddeus Gunn” Andrew Roberts, FRSL, historian
All five novels are available in paperback or ebook
:
1914 First Blood Paperback ISBN: 978-1-86151-277-2 210pp RRP £12.00 (ebook ISBN: B00Q386D90; £3.00)
1915 Pride & Glory Paperback ISBN: 978-1-86151-922-1 213pp RRP £12.00 (ebook ISBN: B07KMB934Q; £2.35)
1916 The Big Push Paperback ISBN: 978-1-86151-923-8 280pp RRP £12.00 (ebook ISBN: B07KKP874RRRP £2.35)
1917 Hanging On Paperback ISBN: 978-1-86151-925-2 234pp RRP £12.00 (ebookISBN: B07KKNCS8C; £2.35)
1918 Defeat Into Victory Paperback ISBN: 978-1-86151-277-2 175pp RRP £12.00 (ebook ISBN: B07KKLRD7P £2.35)
All five titles in the series are published by Mereo Books (an imprint of Memoirs Publishing) www.mereobooks.com
and are available through all good bookshops and internet booksellers.
Local UK interest: Nottinghamshire: Tommy Gunn, the central character in this series of novels,comes from Nottinghamshire and serves with the Sherwood Foresters. (The author himself also served in the SherwoodForesters early in his career.)
To request review copies or to be put in touch with the author,
please contact:
Andrew Hayward
(Court Publishing Services):
andrew.hayward21@yahoo.com
Tel: 07876 155663 / 020 8761 0147
Further information:
www.johnhugheswilson.co.uk
Press release issued on behalf of Mereo Books & Court Publishing by Elly Donovan PR elly@ellydonovan.co.uk
Tel:01273 205 246
www.ellydonovan.co.uk
002 100th ANNUAL REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION DINNER
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association
100th Annual Regimental Association Dinner (The Crich Supper)
Saturday 6 July 2019 at
Welbeck Hall
Welbeck Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QW
7.30 for 8.00 pm
Dress: Jacket, Tie and Medals
Tickets are now available for £20.00 per person for 3 course meal with wine and
tea or coffee and entertainment.
To purchase tickets please complete a menu choice for each person attending and
return to WFRA, 18 Peatfield Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire NG9 8GN with
cheque for £20 per person made payable to WFRA and mark your envelope CRICH
DINNER by no later than 21 June 2019.
For those wishing to pay by BACS, the details are; Lloyds Bank Ltd, Account title:
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association (WFRA).
Sort Code: 30-99-90. Account Number: 00732899
Tickets will be issued on the door.
A printable version of the menu choice is available at http://www.stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk/pdf/upload/Crich_Supper_Calling_Notice_2019-1.pdf
MENU CHOICE
Name:
Fellow guests with whom you wish to be seated, if possible:
Contact details:
WFRA Branch (if applicable):
STARTER:
Chicken Caesar salad with bacon and parmesan crisps or
Celery and apple soup (vegetarian) or
Welsh rarebit
MAIN COURSE:
Chicken Chasseur, creamy mash and greens or
Sea Bass with cherry tomatoes and chorizo or
Goat’s cheese and butternut squash tart tatin (vegetarian)
DESSERT:
Madeira trifle or
Braised pineapple with star anise and coconut ice cream
Please tick one choice from each course above.
All choices come with tea or coffee and a glass of red or white wine.
A reasonably priced licensed bar will be available both before and after the dinner.
There will be entertainment both before and afterdinner.
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.
Unlimited free parking is available for cars, minibuses and coaches on site.
For those wanting to combine the Association Dinner with the Crich Pilgrimage and make a weekend of it, accommodation is available at several hotels and B&B establishments within 5 minutes walk of Welbeck Hall. They include: Beeches Hotel. 01159 818753 & Grantham Hotel. 01159 811373.
003 THE WORCESTERS PUSH FOR VICTORY EVENT
On Saturday 15th June 2019 the Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) is holding a community fundraising day to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Worcestershire Regiment’s participation in several major battles that took place in 1944, the most well-known being Kohima (April to June) and the D-Day landings in June.
The event is being held in St Helen’s Church, High Street, Worcester and will include short talks on relevant subjects, book signings, re-enactors, children's activities, readings from WW2 diaries and letters by local cadets, display stands, refreshments, tombola (with some amazing prizes!) and the attendance of two surviving WW2 Worcestershire veterans.
Stands at the event:
Mercian Regiment Museum + shop
Hartlebury Museum
Western Front Association (Hereford & Worcester Branch)
Remember the Fallen
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association (Worcester Branch)
ATC Cadets 187 Squadron
Army Cadets
Used books stall
Tombola & Raffle
Re-enactors
Refreshments will be available for a donation (non-alcoholic drinks, cakes and biscuits)
There will be an area with short films on a continuous loop and a children’s activity area
Four talks of 30 minutes maximum each:
11:00 – “Battle of Kohima and Imphal” by Hugh Richards, whose Grandfather led the defence of Kohima.
12:00 - “The Assault River Crossing of the Seine at Vernon” by Alan Cowpe.
13.00 - “Battle of Tripsrath” (on the Dutch German border) by Lt Col Mark
Jackson OBE.
14.00 – SAS in Europe WW2 TBC.
Cadet readings at: 10.45, 11.45, 13.45,– approx. 5 – 10 minutes.
Book signings by Mick Wilks and Dennis Hodgkins at 10.30 and 11.30.
Attendance of WW2 Veterans Alan George and Barry Freeman
Help make this event a huge success - start spreading the word and please do come along on the day!
004 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SERVICE
The Royal British Legion Service at Worcester Cathedral to Commemorate D Day is on Sunday 16 June 2019. The service starts at 16:00hrs. The Royal British Legion would like as many Association members and Standard Bearers as possible to attend. Standard Bearers to report for practice at 15:00hrs.
005 CRICH PILGRIMAGE
Nottingham Branch have a seats spare on their coach to the Crich pilgrimage on Sunday 7th July 2019.
The coach will leave Parliament Street, Nottingham at 10.30hrs.
For further information Tel: 01777 228 169.
006 WORCESTER REGIMENT MALAY STANDARD
The Worcestershire Regiment Malay Standard will be laid up at the end of Evensong Service on Saturday 29th June 2019 at 17:15hrs at Worcester Cathedral.
The ceremony is to be held in the quire near the tomb of King John. No Branch standards are required for this service. Association members welcome. Those involved with service need to there for 16:50hrs prompt for a walk through.
007 ARMED FORCES DAY FLAG RAISING - WORCESTER
The Right Worshipful Mayor Councillor Allah Ditta has invited Worcester Branch WFRA to join him to mark Armed Forces Day 2019 and watch the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag over the Guildhall on,
Monday 24 June 2019 at 11:00am.
Members who wish to attend are to meet at the Lord Mayors parlour The Guildhall, Worcester for 10.15hrs.
008 ARMED FORCES DAY FLAG RAISING - NOTTINGHAM
Councillors, Council employees, local Armed Forces and veterans representatives, MPs and the public are invited to join the Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council and the Lord Mayor of Nottingham City Council at County Hall (by the flag poles near the River Trent) for a short event to thank and honour our serving and ex-serving Forces. The flag will be raised by a local veteran.
For further information please contact.
Tel: 01159 772 590. Email: keith.ford@nottscc.gov.uk
009 OP BANNER 50
The Royal British Legion will host a commemorative event on Wednesday 14 August 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK Armed Forces’ deployment on operations in Northern Ireland – the longest continuous campaign in British military history. The event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum. This is a closed, accredited event, not open to the general public and requests for tickets (for both serving personnel and association members) should be directed to Mrs Rayson, Assistant Regimental Secretary helen.rayson303@mod.gov.uk, by no later than 15 June 2019
Further details about the event can be found at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/op-banner-50
010 VICTORIA EMBANKMENT NOTTINGHAM WWI MEMORIAL UNVEILING
The unveiling of the new war memorial in Nottingham will take place at the Victoria Embankment on Friday 28 June 2019. Those who wish to attend are asked to be at the Embankment Memorial by 10.15 hours. The dedication service will commence at 10.25 hours and last approximately 1 hour.
More details to follow.
011 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
..................................................
07 JUNE 2019 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 10 Issue 24
OBITUARY
It is with regret that we inform you that 24122865 Pte William 'Billy' Gillies died on the 20 May 2019 aged 69 years at home with family at his bedside. Billy was born on the 20 February 1950. Billy enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 1968 and went on to serve in 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment serving in Berlin and Northern Ireland. Billy discharged from service in 1972.
On leaving the Regiment he worked in a colliery and his interests outside work were football and playing the drums in a band. After breaking his back in 1979 in an accident at work he was wheelchair bound for forty years. He found a love for dogs especially English Red Setters which he had as pets.
Letters of condolence can be sent to:-
Mrs Susan Gillies. Cher Chez, Newark Road, Wellow. NG22 0EA
The Co Operative Funeral Care, Rufford House, Sherwood Drive, New Ollerton. Notts. NG22 9PP.
001 100th ANNUAL REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION DINNER
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association
100th Annual Regimental Association Dinner (The Crich Supper)
Saturday 6 July 2019 at
Welbeck Hall
Welbeck Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QW
7.30 for 8.00 pm
Dress: Jacket, Tie and Medals
Tickets are now available for £20.00 per person for 3 course meal with wine and
tea or coffee and entertainment.
To purchase tickets please complete a menu choice for each person attending and
return to WFRA, 18 Peatfield Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire NG9 8GN with
cheque for £20 per person made payable to WFRA and mark your envelope CRICH
DINNER by no later than 21 June 2019.
For those wishing to pay by BACS, the details are; Lloyds Bank Ltd, Account title:
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association (WFRA).
Sort Code: 30-99-90. Account Number: 00732899
Tickets will be issued on the door.
A printable version of the menu choice is available at http://www.stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk/pdf/upload/Crich_Supper_Calling_Notice_2019-1.pdf
MENU CHOICE
Name:
Fellow guests with whom you wish to be seated, if possible:
Contact details:
WFRA Branch (if applicable):
STARTER:
Chicken Caesar salad with bacon and parmesan crisps or
Celery and apple soup (vegetarian) or
Welsh rarebit
MAIN COURSE:
Chicken Chasseur, creamy mash and greens or
Sea Bass with cherry tomatoes and chorizo or
Goat’s cheese and butternut squash tart tatin (vegetarian)
DESSERT:
Madeira trifle or
Braised pineapple with star anise and coconut ice cream
Please tick one choice from each course above.
All choices come with tea or coffee and a glass of red or white wine.
A reasonably priced licensed bar will be available both before and after the dinner.
There will be entertainment both before and afterdinner.
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.
Unlimited free parking is available for cars, minibuses and coaches on site.
For those wanting to combine the Association Dinner with the Crich Pilgrimage and make a weekend of it, accommodation is available at several hotels and B&B establishments within 5 minutes walk of Welbeck Hall. They include: Beeches Hotel. 01159 818753 & Grantham Hotel. 01159 811373.
002 THE WORCESTERS PUSH FOR VICTORY EVENT
On Saturday 15th June 2019 the Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) is holding a community fundraising day to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Worcestershire Regiment’s participation in several major battles that took place in 1944, the most well-known being Kohima (April to June) and the D-Day landings in June.
The event is being held in St Helen’s Church, High Street, Worcester and will include short talks on relevant subjects, book signings, re-enactors, children's activities, readings from WW2 diaries and letters by local cadets, display stands, refreshments, tombola (with some amazing prizes!) and the attendance of two surviving WW2 Worcestershire veterans.
Stands at the event:
Mercian Regiment Museum + shop
Hartlebury Museum
Western Front Association (Hereford & Worcester Branch)
Remember the Fallen
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association (Worcester Branch)
ATC Cadets 187 Squadron
Army Cadets
Used books stall
Tombola & Raffle
Re-enactors
Refreshments will be available for a donation (non-alcoholic drinks, cakes and biscuits)
There will be an area with short films on a continuous loop and a children’s activity area
Four talks of 30 minutes maximum each:
11:00 – “Battle of Kohima and Imphal” by Hugh Richards, whose Grandfather led the defence of Kohima.
12:00 - “The Assault River Crossing of the Seine at Vernon” by Alan Cowpe.
13.00 - “Battle of Tripsrath” (on the Dutch German border) by Lt Col Mark
Jackson OBE.
14.00 – SAS in Europe WW2 TBC.
Cadet readings at: 10.45, 11.45, 13.45,– approx. 5 – 10 minutes.
Book signings by Mick Wilks and Dennis Hodgkins at 10.30 and 11.30.
Attendance of WW2 Veterans Alan George and Barry Freeman
Help make this event a huge success - start spreading the word and please do come along on the day!
003 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SERVICE
The Royal British Legion Service at Worcester Cathedral to Commemorate D Day is on Sunday 16 June 2019. The service starts at 16:00hrs. The Royal British Legion would like as many Association members and Standard Bearers as possible to attend. Standard Bearers to report for practice at 15:00hrs.
004 CRICH PILGRIMAGE
Nottingham Branch have a seats spare on their coach to the Crich pilgrimage on Sunday 7th July 2019.
The coach will leave Parliament Street, Nottingham at 10.30hrs.
For further information Tel: 01777 228 169.
005 DERBY BRANCH MEETING
The next meeting of the Derby Branch WFRA will be held on Friday 7 June.
Rolls Royce Club
Osmaston Road
Derby
Club opens at 19.00hrs meeting starts at 19.45hrs.
006 NOTTINGHAM CITY BRANCH MEETING
Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 13.30hrs.
RBL Rooms
Parliament Terrace
Upper Parliament Street
Nottingham
007 OP BANNER 50
The Royal British Legion will host a commemorative event on Wednesday 14 August 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK Armed Forces’ deployment on operations in Northern Ireland – the longest continuous campaign in British military history. The event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum. This is a closed, accredited event, not open to the general public and requests for tickets (for both serving personnel and association members) should be directed to Mrs Rayson, Assistant Regimental Secretary helen.rayson303@mod.gov.uk, by no later than 15 June 2019
Further details about the event can be found at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/op-banner-50
008 VICTORIA EMBANKMENT NOTTINGHAM WWI MEMORIAL UNVEILING
The unveiling of the new war memorial in Nottingham will take place at the Victoria Embankment on Friday 28 June 2019. Those who wish to attend are asked to be at the Embankment Memorial by 10.15 hours. The dedication service will commence at 10.25 hours and last approximately 1 hour.
More details to follow.
009 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
Mark Dack
for Executive Committee
Social media :-
Mercian Museum (WFR Collection)
Mercian Museum (WFR Collection)
Copyright © 2016 The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, All rights reserved.
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The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association
18 Peatfield Road
Stapleford, Nottinghamshire NG9 8GN
United Kingdom
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