St Mary's Church - Memorial Stone Ceremony
St MARY'S CHURCH Memorial Stone
Unveiling
On Sunday the 15th of April 2012, a special ceremony was
held at St Mary's Church in Nottingham. This had been eighteen
months in the planning and was to celebrate the lives of all
members of the Parachute Regimental Association (Nottingham Branch)
that had died since the branch was formed around 50 years ago.
(Branch President) John Needham and (Secretary) Bill Cumming had
the task of designing and ordering the stone through the stone
mason. They also had to agree the placement of the memorial stone
and the ceremony. Over the eighteen month period of organization,
there was lots of help from Reverend Stephen Morris, as the go
between for getting the permissions for the stones placement and
the ceremony within the Church diosise.
Invites were sent out to the Leicester, Newark and Derby
branches of the PRA, as well as our close friends from the Cropwell
Bishop Scouts, "Pegasus Troop". Our own branch members and families
were also in attendance. The ceremony went without a hitch. The
PRA's National bugle player, Stuart McNair of the Newark Branch did
himself proud when he played the last post. His abilities are
second to none.
The unveiling on the day was by one of our WW2 Para's John
Coleman. John was assisted by Stan Hopkins, one of our longest
serving members, and Stan had the honour of laying the memorial
wreath at the foot of the memorial stone. (Chairman) Michael
O'Connor was the parade Marshall on the day, and made sure things
ran to plan. (Secretary) Bill Cumming stood guard at the door, and
our Standard Bearer, George Worthington did the honour's with the
branch standard, along with Derby Branch Standard bearer.
(President) John Needham read the Airborne Prayer, while Reverend
Stephen Morris performed the service. Finally John Needham thanked
everyone for coming and explained that our old standard was laid
here approximately eight years ago.
Afterwards a buffet was supplied for all. St Mary's did a
great spread, and this gave us all a chance to meet up with our
friends from other branches. I had some interesting conversations
with some of our older Para's in attendance. We were lucky to have
some of the founding fathers of the Parachute Regiment at the
ceremony, including former members of No.2 Commando who went on to
form the original Parachute Regiments formed at Hardwick Hall's
Para Depot. One was the Derby Branch President, who started his
military service with No.2 Commando, followed by 11 SAS, and
finally 1 PARA, where he served with his brother. He escaped the
battle of Arnhem by swimming the Rhine. His brother was not so
lucky however, as he was captured. Another former Army Commando was
Leicester Branch Secretary, Lez Nicholson. Lez now well into his
eighties is well known to many of the Branches, organizing the 10
Para Memorial at Somerby in Leicestershire. He, like many of the
old and bold has a great sense of humor, and like many of his
generation are National treasures when it comes to the history of
the Regiment. They forged the shape of what the Parachute Regiment
and it's fighting spirit has become over the past 70
years.
The day was a very special occasion and we thank everyone for their support.
Mark
Holding (Treasurer)
Left: John Needham (Nottingham PRA President) welcomes John Coleman who unveiled the memorial. Right: Bill Cumming (Secretary). Seceond left: WW2 Para, Barry Woodward of the Nottingham Branch.
Nottingham branch members arrive at St Mary's. Left Stan Hopkins, our resident Skydiver.
George Worthington our Standard bearer arrives with his standard. to George's left can be seen Lez Nicholson. (Secretary of Leicester branch PRA)
More members and their families arrive before the ceremony
Left: A cluster of Scouts with their District Scout Leader, while Centre: A cluster of former members of 3 PARA. Tom Twigger 7RHA looking to the front.
(Secretary) Bill Cumming, giving last minute instructions to Stan Hopkins before the start of the event.
Left: (Standard bearer) George Worthington Centre: Derby Branch (Standard bearer) and Right: (Parade Marshall) Michael O'Connor.
Standard bearers and Parade Marshall relaxing before the start of the Church Parade.
Reverend Stephen Morris Pray's for a successful ceremony with ceremony officials.
The start of the ceremony, watched over by Parade Marshall, Michael O'Connor.
The ceremony now gets underway. Stuart McNair stands under the archway ready for playing the last post.
View from the opposite end. This view shows the old Nottingham PRA Standard above the new memorial stone.
A Panoramic view of the ceremony
This view shows Stan Hopkins with the wreath in hand, ready to lay, while John Coleman is about to unveil the memorial stone.
The stone now unveiled, John Coleman and Stan Hopkins return to their seats.
(Branch President) John Needham reads the Airborne Prayer.
A moment of silence for reflexion.
Stuart McNair about ready to start playing the last post.
The ceremony now over. (President) John Needham addresses the congregation.
(Standard bearer) George Worthington and John Coleman stand by our new Memorial Stone. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!
(Standard bearer) George Worthington with members of the Cropwell Bishop Scout Group "PEGASUS TROOP"
The new Nottingham Branch Memorial in place.