A parade honouring Worcester’s fallen soldiers took place last week, on the anniversary of an important battle in World War Two.

Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association members met up for the first time in months to commemorate the regiment’s service to the country.

20 ex-servicemen and their families met up to lay wreaths at two county locations, one of the first official meetings since the regiment celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 28, 2020.

A wreath was laid at the Worcestershire Regimental Stone by Dudley branch chairman Brian Lee as well as one at Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (WFR) memorial bench by Worcester branch member Rob Atkinson.

The ceremony offered a time to reflect on the services of the WFR, which was created in 1970 following the merger of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Sherwood Foresters.

In August 2007 the WFR was merged with the Chester and Staffordshire regiments to form the Mercian Regiment.

The Worcestershire Regiment played an important role in both world wars and beyond.

Among the regiment’s honours are two citations for the 1st battalion.

One of these was awarded for their efforts during the Battle at Vernon, France, during World War Two.

The battalion spearheaded the allies crossing of the River Seine which took place between August 25 and 28, 1944.

18 men were killed during the operation.

A further citation was awarded to the 1st battalion for their efforts in the Malaya Emergency, between 1950 and 1953.

As part of the citation, the George Cross was awarded to Awang anak Rawang, an Iban tracker, who helped a wounded member of the Worcestershire Regiment when they were ambushed by 50 bandits, despite being severely wounded himself.

The 2nd and 7th battalions were also recognised for their work in Burma between 1944 and 1945, where they were involved in a number of significant battles.

A separate parade took place in Evesham, at the Burma Star memorial near the Almonry, on August 15, the day that marks the victory over Japan.

Following the merger of the Worcestershire Regiment and Sherwood Foresters, the WFR was involved in conflicts such as Norther Ireland, Belize, Cyprus, Falkland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

The Worcester branch association members are planning to resume their meetings on September 28 at Barbourne Ex-Servicemens Club, the Moors. Previous members of the regiments are welcome to attend.