"The Corps in general are pleas’d at going to Louisburgh, but it would have added greatly to their Satisfaction to have had you with them...As I imagine we shall not have the pleasure of meeting at New York, shall conclude with my best wishes for your health & Success, and assuring you, that I shall upon all occasions, to the utmost of my Ability, act for the good of the 17^th."

Lt. Col. Roger Morris to Brigadier General John Forbes, Colonel of the 17th, Albany, NY, 20 March 1757

The following items of interest and announcements come from the Royal Tigers Association and the Tigers in the News Service. For further information, contact the parties listed in the announcements (substituting @ for "at" and . for "dot", which is used to block spam readers) or our Society at hm17thregt at yahoo dot com.

As previously reported (Dec 6th) Mr David Chard passed away 2nd December 2009 aged 63.

Davids funeral service will take place at Gilroes Crematorium Leicester on Monday14th December at 1045hrs

It is with deep regret that I have to annouce the death of Monica, wife of Jim Hubbard. Monica attended all the re-uniuns and the trips to Duxford, she will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to Jim and their family.. Monica's funeral will take place at Gilrose on Thursday 10th December at 1200hrs.-- Mel Gould

War veterans' stolen medals returned after theft from Leicester pub

War medals and other memorabilia which were stolen from a former soldier have been returned. The victim, 67-year-old David Roulston, was in a Leicester pub last month, when the artefacts which were in a bag, were taken. The sneak thief struck when Mr Roulston nipped outside for a cigarette at the Keeper's Lodge, in Beaumont Leys, on Monday, November 23. The bag contained a dozen mostly Second World War medals, 15 military belts with attached regimental buckles and 20 cap badges. Mr Roulston had spent months building up the collection in order to sell it to raise money for charities.

Later that day, the bag was left on a doorstep in Halifax Drive, Stocking Farm – along with a copy of the Mercury story. However, a collection of non-military wristwatches remains missing. Mr Roulston's own campaign medals and mementos were safe at home. Mr Roulston, who served with the Territorial Army and Royal Leicestershire Regiment throughout the 1960s in Hong Kong, Borneo, Aden and Malta, said: "I was over the moon when the police called me to tell me the bag had been returned. Whoever gave it back had obviously read the Mercury because he left the cutting from the paper with the bag. "I'm so relieved to have the collection back, especially the medals." Pc Steven Plumb said: "This is a great result and the victim is very happy to have some of his items returned to him, but we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward. "We are particularly interested in locating the person who left the items in Halifax Drive. "We are keen to hear where they got the belongings from and hope they will be able to help us locate the other missing items. "We are appealing for people to contact us if they witnessed the original theft, if they know where the remaining items are, or if they know who is responsible."

It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of Dave Chard. I will send details of the funeral when I receive them.-- Mel Gould

This popular event has been organised every year since 1999 by Denis Foran and as proved to be very popular, it is a very informal and relaxed event, a time to meet old friends. Last year, in particular, was very well attended because we were joined by a number of Royal Anglians from the Leicester area. This year the social will take place on Friday 4^th December beginning at 1930hrs and Denis has done away with the entrance fee this year.

Put this in your diary and I would urge everyone, who can, to make the effort to attend. (South Wigston WMC is located on Blaby Road, the main street through South Wigston)

From The Times

December 2, 2009

Fine craftsmanship will shine in Project Restore

David Meara

Last summer Hayes and Finch, the Liverpool-based manufacturer and supplier of church furnishings, launched an initiative, Project Restore, to discover significant items of church metalwork and furniture which had been damaged by the ravages of time, and which needed cleaning and renovation to bring them back into full use. The entries would be judged by a small team, and the three most interesting items would be chosen for renovation.

I chaired the team of judges. More than 40 items were submitted and out of the qualifying pieces three worthy winners have now been chosen.

The overall winner is St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ilford, Essex, submitted its Victorian paschal candle stand. It is one of the few items to survive from the church opened by Cardinal Vaughan in 1899, and is a splendid piece of brass work standing nearly 7ft tall and with much elaborate decoration. This candle stand will be fully restored to a value of £1,500, and it is hoped to have it ready in time for Easter 2010.

The two runners-up, which receive £750 each for refurbishment, are first a hanging sanctuary lamp from All Saints, Barton-upon-Irwell. The church, which, according to Pevsner, is Edward Welby Pugin’s masterpiece, was built between 1865-68 at a cost of more than £25,000, a gift of the de Trafford family. The interior is a riot of sumptuous carving and fine detail. The chancel is at present undergoing a significant restoration funded mainly by English Heritage at a cost of £614,000. This is where the restored sanctuary lamp will hang.

The other runner-up is a processional cross from All Saints Edmonton, in North London. It was presented to the church by the mother of a soldier killed in the First World War and bears the inscription: “A.M.D.G. and loving memory of William Thornton Wetenhall BA LLB Captain 6th Leicestershire Regiment Killed in action at Bazantin-Le-Petit July 14th 1916. This cross was presented by his mother.”

It is a much loved part of the church’s worshipping life and is used every Sunday, but has suffered from wear and damage over the years. William Wetenhall has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Flanders. The restoration of this processional cross will not only bring great pride and delight to the congregation of All Saints, but also be a fitting tribute to Captain Wetenhall, and all who died in that terrible conflict.

The judges also wanted to commend St Pius X Church, Moorside, in Co Durham, for submitting a set of six candlesticks with matching tabernacle which were made for the original St John’s Church, Consett, in 1936. When a new church was built in 1954 the tabernacle was transferred but the original candlesticks were stored away and forgotten. They have recently been rediscovered after 50 years in a cupboard and badly need cleaning and renovation. They are in a striking Art Deco style, matching the fine tabernacle, and the parish would love to reunite the set in all its former glory in the new church opened in 2007. The judges have recommended that any money remaining in the pot should be offered towards the restoration of these candlesticks.

As a result of this imaginative initiative by Hayes and Finch, items that might otherwise have languished in a corner of the vestry or remained somewhat shabby and unworthy of their setting, can now sparkle again and take pride of place in the worshipping life of these churches. The aim of Project Restore was not only to return valuable items to their former glory but also to showcase traditional craftsmanship and to celebrate the skill and pride that goes into the work of restoration. Hayes and Finch, a fourth-generation family business established in 1882, still runs skilled workshops at their premises in Aintree, Liverpool, and will undertake the work on these winning pieces.

If all goes well, then by Easter 2010 the paschal candle stand will once again take pride of place in the Easter liturgy at St Peter and St Paul’s, Ilford; the sanctuary lamp will glow and sparkle in the restored chancel at All Saints, Barton-upon-Irwell; and the processional cross will proudly lead the congregation in worship at All Saints, Edmonton. Let us hope that the directors of Hayes and Finch decide to run this competition again so that more forgotten and neglected items can benefit from Project Restore.

The Ven David Meara is the Archdeacon of London

Hi,
Just to give you an update on my fathers, (David Gardner) progress. He is now out of a coma and has been moved to the Brain Injury Unit at the Leicester City General Hospital.
Many people will know him as, Tony Gardner, or by his nickname BULL. He will be at the Leicester City General Hospital for the forseeable future.
Regards,
Lee Gardner.

David has been admitted to the City General Hospital and is in a coma. There has been a requested that those who rememember him (there were two brothers) to visit him and sit by his bedside and talk to him to help him come out of the coma. I will try to keep you informed of his progress.

R ANGLIAN: TALAVERA 200: The Last Regimental Call To Arms of the Northamptonshire Regiment

Gentlemen,

Please find attached the Last Regimental Call to Arms of the Northamptonshire Regiment which is to take place on 25 July 2009 in Northampton. It is self explanatory.

I would be most grateful if you could now pass on this Call to Arms to those who you know will wish to attend, either by parading or supporting. Please also pass it on to persons of influence in Northamptonshire and encourage them to do the same. The Regiment is hugely keen that the Northamptons get the fitting farewell that their years of loyal service deserves.

Maj Bill O’Driscoll, The Royal Anglian Regiment’s Area Secretary for Northamptonshire, is the responsible Regimental Officer for this parade. All queries should be directed to him 01604 635412

Regards,

Kevin.

Lt Col (Retd) K Hodgson OBE
Regimental Secretary
The Royal Anglian Regiment

On 28^th July 1809, the 48^thof Foot, The Northamptonshire Regiment saved the day at the Battle of Talavera during the Peninsular War.

In scorching heat Wellington recognised the decisive moment in the Battle as a large gap opened up in the British line due to a rash charge by the Guards Brigade. The 48^th of Foot were ordered forward, dependable and solid as ever.

An observer of the Battle, William Napier, wrote “at this moment the centre of the British line was absolutely broken, and the fortune of the day seemed to incline in favour of the French when, suddenly, Colonel Donellan, with the 48^th Regiment, was seen advancing through the midst of the disordered masses. At first, it seemed as if this Regiment must be carried away by the retiring crowds, but, wheeling back by companies, it let them pass through the intervals, and then, resuming its proud and beautiful line, marched against the right of the pursuing columns, and plied them with such destructive musketry, and closed upon them with such a firm and regular pace, that the forward movement of the French was checked. The French wavered, lost their advantage and the Battle was restored.” After the Battle Wellington said, “The Battle was certainly saved by the advance, position and steady conduct of the 48^th”.

On the 200^th Anniversary of this great battle, fought by the soldiers of Northamptonshire, the Regiment is to parade in Northampton for the very last time between 1330 and 1440 hrs. All former members of this famous Regiment are therefore called to parade on Saturday 25^th July at 1330hrs in Abington Street, Northampton. The Northamptonshire Regiment will then march to All Saints Church alongside its present day equivalent, C (Northamptonshire) Company, 2^ndBattalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers), led by the Minden Band of The Queen’s Division. The salute will be taken by the Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, with the Colonel of the Regiment, the Lord Lieutenant of the County and the Mayor of Northampton in attendance

The Northamptonshire Regiment has a proud history stretching from its feats in the Peninsular War in the 19^th Century, through two 20^th Century World Wars, and the Poachers have served with honour in conflicts across the World, most recently in Iraq last year. Nearly every family in the County of Northamptonshire will have had some connection with the Regiment over the past two hundred years and many still have today.

It is my proud duty to call upon all veterans and comrades of the Northamptonshire Regiment and the people of Northamptonshire to witness this last parade. Although this is a sad occasion, there can be no greater honour for a County Regiment of Infantry than to march off parade for the last time, almost two hundred years to the day of its famous victory at Talavera. We therefore look forward to your help in showing that these great feats of history are not forgotten and in honouring the men who, over two hundred years of conflict, gave their lives fighting for their Country with the Northamptons.

It will be a huge privilege for C (Northamptonshire) Company, to parade alongside the Northamptonshire Regiment Association on this historic day. The Colours of the 2nd Battalion, which are to this day still emblazoned with the ‘Talavera’ Battle Honour, will be proudly flying, guarded by the soldiers of C (Northamptonshire) Company, many of whom come from the County.

As well as celebrating the 200^th Anniversary of the Battle of Talavera, this parade will mark the day on which the Northamptonshire Regiment Association has chosen to disband, thus handing over all Regimental responsibilities for Northamptonshire to The Royal Anglian Regiment. We are honoured to take part in this historic occasion and we are proud to be entrusted with the torch carried by the Northamptons so bravely, for so many years.

The members of C (Northamptonshire) Company hope that the Regimental Family and people of Northamptonshire ensure, where possible by their presence, that this fine Regiment gets the fitting farewell that their centuries of loyal service to the Crown deserves.

Maj Bill O’Driscoll, The Royal Anglian Regiment’s Area Secretary for Northamptonshire, is the responsible Regimental Officer for this parade. All queries should be directed to him (01604 635412; Email: 1ANGLIAN-AO at mod dot uk ).

PS. Mr Denis Foran will be parading with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment Association Standard

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at hm17thregt at yahoo.com