The following article was contributed by Paul Finegan - Royal British Legion (Halesowen Branch)
In March I had the honour of accompanying The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor John Lines on a visit to The Western Front, which included an overnight stop in the Belgian town of Ypres; home to the Menin Gate.
The Queen is to sign a new charter backing equal rights in every Commonwealth nation.
The document declares - "We are implacably opposed to all forms of disrcimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds".
It was adopted in December 2012 by all 54 Commonwealth Nations and will be signed by the Monarch at an event in London on 11th March to mark Commonwealth Day.
The Memorial Gates, Constitution Hill, London were opened in 2002 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the sacrifices made by the people of Africa, Asia and the West Indies.
An exhibition 'We Were There was also set up by the Ministry of Defence and British Armed Forces to support the occasion.
Remembrance Day. Sunday Birmingham 11th November 2012.
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
The British Campaign to push the Japanese out of Burma was the longest and bloodiest of World War 2. Thousands of miles away from the battles in Western Europe, it's soldiers were often known as the 'Forgotten Army' but those who fought in it would never forget...
The poppy appeal and the subsequent parades and services let those who are no longer with us know they are in our thoughts and enable us to give some support to those who are still willing to fight for freedom and damocracy.
Wear your poppy with pride
I love and miss you Grandad
The West India Regiment raised in 1795 disbanded in 1927, had their Regimental Standard shipped back to England and presented to King George V. It now forms part of the Royal Collection Trust.
The West India Regiment was reformed in 1958 following the formation of the Federation of the West Indies.
A new Strand of colours incorporating all the insignias, battle honours, traditions and history of previous West India Regiments were commissioned.
A plaque dedicated to Briish & Commonwealth Veterans, hangs in the Peace Gardens, Bath Row, Birmingham, England.
"No greater gift can one man give, than to lay his life down for another"
Six vessels of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Jamaica, after the Island of Jamaica.
A cost cutting exercise saw the amalgamation of the 1st & 2nd West India Regiments. In total, the amalgamated 1st & 2nd WIR had eight sets of Colours presented between 1840 and 1913. The above Regimental Standard is the last of those Colours.
The Regiment paraded for the last time on 31st January 1927 at Up Park Camp, Jamaica. The Regimental Colours were trooped for the last time before being shipped back to England.
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