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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)
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Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
President: Brig P Dennis
25 September 2020 WFRA NEWSLETTER Volume 11 Issue 42
OBITUARY
We regret to announce the death of Datuk Awang Anak Raweng GC in Sarawak, Malaysia on 18 September 2020 aged 91, one of many Iban trackers employed by the army during the Malaya Emergency. In April 1951 two sections of D Coy 1st Bn The Worcestershire Regiment were in the jungle when the leading section came under heavy automatic fire, killing Pte N Dykes and Cpl B Stanton and wounding Raweng, Ptes G Hughes and W Payne. In the meantime the other section, led by 2Lt OW Morris (RAOC attached), tried to outflank the bandits but he was shot dead. The remaining members of the first section took cover off the track except Hughes who was unable to move. As the bandits renewed their attack on the leading section Raweng, though wounded in the thigh, exposed himself to drag Hughes under cover, took his rifle and engaged the bandits who returned fire and wounded him in the elbow. As they continued to advance Raweng tool a grenade from one of the wounded, withdrew the pin and held it up to keep them at bay until reinforcements arrived. He was later awarded the George Cross. His citation stated “The coolness, fortitude and offensive spirit displayed by Awang Anak Raweng were of the highest order. Despite being twice severely wounded he showed the utmost courage and resolution to continue the fight and protect the wounded soldier”. Had he been enlisted in the army he would have been eligible for the VC.
After the Sarawak Rangers were reformed in 1953 he joined them and rose to the rank of Sgt. He attended several reunions of the VC and GC Association and usually also visited the 1st Battalion on these occasions accompanied by Lt Col St JC Brooke Johnson MBE, a descendant to the Rajah Brooke family of Sarawak.
OBITUARY
It is with great sadness that we inform that L/Cpl Noel Turner passed away on September 9th at the Derby Royal Hospital following a brief illness.
Noel served with the Sherwood Foresters as an MT driver in the 1960's and was a keen boxer and all round colourful character who was occasionally known to keep the RP staff busy. He saw action in Aden, Cyprus and Northern Ireland from 1963 until his discharge in 1970.
He is sorely missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Yvonne, sons Mark and Paul, daughter in law Janette and grandchildren Ben and Rhiannon.
Noel's funeral will take place on Friday 2 October at 10.20hrs at Markeaton Crematorium, Derby.
OBITUARY
It is with great sadness that we inform you that 23445136 Pte John Dennis HUCKVALE of Coventry died on 5 September 2020 aged 83. ‘Dennis’ enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters in May 1958 and discharged in 1960 and served in Malaya and Singapore. He was awarded the GSM (Malaya) and the Malaysian Service Medal.
His funeral will take place on Thursday 1 October at St Mary’s Church, Walsgrave, Coventry CV2 2BG.
The vicar has asked that mourners are in church by 1000 hours for a 1015 start.
Association members and Standard Bearers are invited to attend and are asked to contact his son, Mr Alan Huckvale, on hucky999@yahoo.co.uk beforehand.
Donations on the day will be collected for H4H and Zoe’s Place (a local childrens cancer charity).
01 CALL FOR RIDERS
Many people in the biking and veteran communities will be aware that our great friend and brother Ian “Duke” Middleton has been battling Cancer on three fronts for almost a year now. Sadly, Duke has received his last posting orders and has been told to prep for his Final RV.
Duke has been a stalwart in the veteran community attending many funerals of veterans carrying the standards of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Association (WFRA) and the royal British Legion, he has stood post on poppy appeal stands for many years, he has been a caseworker for SAFFA and has been the recipient of numerous merit awards for his services to veteran associations. As well as being a key player in the Motorcycle Action Campaign Group.
As a lifelong biker we intend to take Duke on a Trike “rideout” to see his former CO at the Dobbies Garden Centre on Wednesday 30 September. Assembly will be 14:00hrs at Fullylove Court Cherry Tree Close Bolsover Nr chesterfield Derbyshire S44 6EZ
We would like to muster as many riders as possible for Duke’s final ride to make it as special as he is.
We hope to see you, feel free to share.
001 LOST CONTACT
We have received a phone call from Pauline Smith wife of Eric. Eric has been in and out of hospital with various complaints, he is currently receiving care at home. He has lost touch with some of his old pals and wishes to be remembered to them and those who know him. Due to his health over the last couple of years and the Covid-19 situation he is missing the contact and camaraderie of the Association.
Eric was National Service recruit serving in the Worcestershire Regiment in Malaya. Eric was the first National Serviceman to be promoted to Sergeant, he was also the first recipient of the Gale Cup for shooting.
If you would like to write a few lines to Eric to help cheer him up his address is below.
Mr Eric Smith
Blackmore Cottage,
Martley Road,
Great Witley.
WR6 6JY.
002 ASSOCIATION AGM
The Association AGM 10th October at Lichfield is now cancelled. It is re scheduled for March 2021.
003 VETERANS ID CARD - UPDATE
The Veterans’ recognition scheme has a two phase rollout. Phase One is now complete; with Service leavers receiving a recognition card as part of the discharge process.
Phase Two is to extend the scheme to existing veterans so that they can quickly, easily and securely prove that they served in the UK Armed Forces and access the services they need.
It had been hoped to have this in place by the end of 2019, but due to the requirement to future-proof the scheme so that veterans can access a wider range of benefits, the need to safeguard against fraudulent use means, this process will take longer.
Information on how to apply will be released closer to the launch date.
004 WANTED
Does anyone have a Mercian buff jumper (size large/extra large) and a side hat for sale?
Please contact Maj Tony Calunniato XO 4 Mercian on tony.calunniato765@mod.gov.uk
005 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)
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