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North Staffordshire
Royal British Legion News June 2007 |
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News Monday
11 June 2007 |
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North & South Staffordshire take part in 150th
Anniversary of the Victoria Cross - Lichfield |
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In first part of the parade of standards and banners the lead is taken by
Bill Leith Union Banner Bearer of The Royal Scots Regiment
Association. To his left The National Standard Bearer of The
Royal British Legion Ms Julia Poulter and to his right is
Jim Davidson from Inverness, the Deputy National Standard
Bearer for The Royal British Legion Scotland. Karen Draper
the National Parade Marshal of The Royal British can be seen
leading the remainder of the parade. |
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Royal British Legion and
Regimental Association Standard and Banner Bearers from across
the West Midlands including North & South
Staffordshire and as far away as Inverness in Scotland, and the
Isle of Wight take part in the Parade of Standards and
Banners for 150th
Anniversary of the First Investiture of The Victoria Cross
and the 50th Anniversary of the Victoria Cross and George Cross
Association at Lichfield
Cathedral Sunday 10th June 2007.
The Guard of Honour was provided by a detachment of Nijmegen
Company Grenadier Guards. 7 National Standard and Banner Bearers were
on the parade, Ms Julia Poulter The National Standard Bearer
of The Royal British Legion, Jim Davidson Deputy National
Banner Bearer for The Royal British Legion Scotland. It was
Jim's first trip into England carrying his National Banner.
The other National Standard Bearers included The Royal Navy
Association, The Royal Marines Association, The Royal Horse
Artillery and The Royal Engineers.
The parade was lead by Jim Leith from Edinburgh carrying the
Union Banner for The Royal Scots Regiment Association. The
Parade Marshal for the event was Karen Draper (Isle of
Wight) The Parade Marshal of The Royal British Legion ably
assisted by Don Humphries (Gloucestershire), Derek Bunting
(North Staffordshire) and Tony Davies (South Staffordshire).
Also on parade was The Staffordshire Cadet Force Corps of (Badged Grenadier Guards)
Drums, Captain David Keats MBE commanding. |
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The Guard of Honour a
detachment from Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards gets
"fell-in" outside the West Front of Lichfield Cathedral.
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56 Victoria Cross and 22
George Cross winners were being remembered for their
Valour, Gallantry and sometimes their sacrifice in a
service at Lichfield Cathedral. Mr Peter Elkin the main
organiser of the event tried hard to locate family
members of all VC and GC winners in the West Midlands.
Although not finding them all, over 650 family members
were in attendance.
The symbolism of the parade and presence of RBL and the
Associations were there to represent firstly the
families, towns and cities where the winners came from.
Secondly the history and honour to the armed service of
that VC or GC winner.
The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, James Hawley lead
the Act of Remembrance laying a wreath in The
Staffordshire Regiment's St. Michaels Chapel. Bob Rankin
Chairman of Stoke On Trent Group 2, Parade Organiser
read The Exhortation and Burton-on-Trent Branch Buglers Colin Sowter
and Jim Smith sounded The Last Post and Reveille
Mr Eddie Henratty, Senior Piper The Royal Scots Regiment
Association Pipe Band, played the "Flowers Of The
Forest" in remembrance at the end of the service.
Amongst the guests were Councillor Terry Dix Chairman of Staffordshire
County Council, The National Chairman of The Royal
British Legion Peter Cleminson, Martyn Tighe The
National Trustee for the West Midlands area. Also
amongst the guests were the following County Chairman;
Philip Wilson Warwickshire, Jim MacDonald Birmingham,
Ken Draper Worcestershire, Eric Williamson
Cheshire, Ken Compton North Staffordshire and Peter
Murphy South Staffordshire.
Event Gallery
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Further News reading:
Birmingham Mail:
Salute to the bravest of the brave
Express & Star:
Families honour VC heroes
The Sentinel:
THEY DESERVE REMEMBRANCE
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County News Archive |
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© Royal British Legion in North Staffordshire 2006
, Registered Charity No 219279, Haig House, Ferranti Court, Gillette Close, Stafford Tec Park, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 0LQ
Telephone: 01785 226526 Fax: 01785 226537