CRICH COMRADES CLUB

2011

THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION STOCKPORT BRANCH SEPTEMBER 2011

On Sunday3rd July we took a party of forty to the Crich Memorial, near Matlock, Derbyshire. This is the 5th year that we have attended this event, made more poignant this year by the re-dedication of the Mercian Regiment Memorial Wall, on which the names of the soldiers who died in Afghanistan last year, have been inscribed. On arrival in Crich we de-bussed and enjoyed a few scrups and an excellent buffet in the Crich Comrades Club. Then it was up to the memorial for a poignant and moving service of remembrance. It started with the dedication of the new memorial to the fallen from the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment. During 2009-2010 this was a total of 29 soldiers. We learned that the 3rd Battalion had lost their first soldier in Afghanistan that weekend. The Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Andrew Sharpe laid a wreath to the fallen. It was then up to the main memorial to lay further wreaths from civic dignitaries and the respective regimental associations.

Over 30 standards lined the route as the colour party marched on the regimental colours. After meeting and greeting and spending the time of day with friends and old comrades, we returned to the Crich Comrades Club to finish off the buffet (laid on by the club free of charge) and attempting to drink the bar dry. A moving and enjoyable day had by all. Our thanks to Smudger Smith and Roy Porter for doing the recce and organising the trip.