Sylvia Parkin
Initially a Company Director in a small family business, Sylvia moved and qualified as an RGN within the NHS, eventually holding the post of Nurse Director. She is familiar with the problems of large and small organisations in the public and private sectors. She joined the Volunteer Reserve Forces and balanced her work life with that of a Reservist where she saw active service.
West Midlands RFCA
Tennal Grange
Tennal Road
Harborne
Birmingham B32 2HX
Tel: 0121 4275221 x242
Fax:0121 4278380
Tommy moves to Dudley
A Wolverhampton war memorial honouring soldiers who lost their lives in both World Wars has been moved to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. The eight-ton bronze figure, nicknamed ‘Tommy’, commemorates the sacrifices made by former Springfield Brewery workers. Moved from the Territorial Army Centre at Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, the memorial will stand testimony to the bravery of local heroes and bring their stories to the attention of younger generations.
Local dignitaries and business leaders attended a service of re-dedication on 27 March. It’s estimated over 300,000 people a year will visit the memorial.
Spare a thought to those who have fallen in the service of our country right up to today if you visit the museum this summer.
Award for Valuable Service
We send our congratulations to Captain Michael Brigham on being awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) in the recent Armed Forces Operational Awards. Mike was recently a member of the Birmingham University Officer Training Corps (BUOTC) and served with the West Midlands based Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan.
Participants in the 2008 and 2009 Executive Stretch Exercises may well remember Mike as a very enthusiastic Officer Cadet.
POP at the Botanical Gardens
Some 200 people from the local community, including many business leaders, attended a Post Operational Presentation from members of 19 (Light) Brigade who had recently returned from a very eventful and dangerous tour in Afghanistan.
The Brigade comprised of a number of units from throughout the UK, including 202 Field Hospital and 4 Brigade, The Mercian Regiment based in the West Midlands.
Soldiers and Airmen talked of their split-second decisions and the evacuation of casualties under enemy fire during Operation Panther’s Claw. They expressed their appreciation and respect for the Afghan Army with whom they had worked, and explained the importance of including local elders in resolving local issues.
Our thanks go to Clive Stone DL, the Managing Director of Redcliffe Catering for his help and support in making it such a successful event.