Royal Observer Corps Association
  • Home
  • National Events
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2023
    • Remembrance 2022
    • National Reunion 2022
    • HM Queen Elizabeth II
    • Battle of Britain 2022
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2022
    • Seaborne Memorial 2022
    • RIAT 2022
    • Capel le Ferne 2022
    • Jubilee Beacons/Events 2022
    • REMEMBRANCE 2020
    • NATIONAL REUNION 2018
    • Alrewas 2018
    • Capel le Ferne 2017
    • Alrewas 2016
    • Capel le Ferne 2016
    • St Clement Danes April 2016
    • The Banner at St CLement Danes
    • Alrewas 2014
    • National Memorial Dedicated
    • Alrewas memorial stone
  • Local Events
  • National Heritage
    • Observer Way, Reading
    • The Greatest Sacrifice
    • ROC in pursuit!
    • Heritage Awards 2022
    • Special Constables
    • Bury War Room May 2022
    • Falklands remembered
    • Cosford 2022
    • Heritage Snippets
    • NAFD 2018 Llandudno
    • NAFD 2016 Cleethorpes
    • Armed forces Day 2014 Stirling
    • Bury St. Edmunds Ops room restoration
    • Bentley Priory Museum
    • Armed Forces Week 2013
    • Bentley Priory Tours 2012
  • National News
  • Current Group News
  • Organisation - National
    • Organisation - Groups
  • Links
  • Archive
    • Group News 2010-2021
    • 2014 A year to Remember
    • St Clement Danes April 2017
    • 31 Group Belfast Dedication of Group Standard
    • FAIRFORD 2015
    • Remembrance 2017
    • Banner at Cranwell
    • 2014 National Reunion
    • Stoke Golding 2016
    • Channel islands Liberation Parade 2014
    • Bentley Priory reborn Sept 2013
    • No. 1 Group Maidstone 2014 Parades
    • D-Day 70 Years on
    • ROCA President
    • Battle of Britain Services 2016
    • The Battle of Britain
    • National Arboretum Group trees

         The National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas Staffordshire
                                    Saturday 18th May 2013

Picture
For Those Who Served
        The day dawned unusually cold and overcast, for mid May, but that didn't deter over one hundred and forty members, their families and friends, who gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum to take part in the parade, unveiling and dedication of the magnificent ROC Memorial Stone, that proudly stood at the far end of the ROC Grove of Hawthorn Trees.
        The planning, design and fund raising, that had been going on for many months, was overseen by Jenny Major, who had been appointed liaison officer to the Arboretum, by the National Committee.
        Thirteen Groups responded to the call for their Standards to muster, and duly formed up behind the National Standard.   To the stirring strains of the Piper, Duncan Thompson, the parade marched off to assemble at the ROCA Grove which is located close to that of the RAF Association. 
Standing over 6 feet tall the stone, carved from a large piece of dark grey granite, was covered in the Union Flag to await the unveiling. 
        In his opening address, National Chairman John Sharp, on behalf of he National Committee,  paid tribute to  all those who had contributed to the project. He thanked every one for their encouragement, assistance and support to the event.
        Special thanks were made to The Honorary Chaplains Hilary Daniel and The Reverend David Simpson. To Jenny Major the Project organiser. The stonemason Keith Rackham - H.L.Perfitt Ltd.  The Piper Duncan Thompson. The Staff of the National Memorial Arboretum. The Standard Marshall Murray Whitcher, and National Standard Bearer Gordon Johnson. The Group Standard Bearers. The Stewards Rena Bell and Jim Mackie and their helpers. The Group Secretaries, and all those members who raised the funds and made individual donations towards the cost of the Memorial.

National Vice President Joyce Shrubbs MBE was invited to unveil the memorial and, when she did so, the truly magnificent detail of the stone was revealed. The ROC Crest in full colour, stood out at the top, and was flanked by two shoulder flashes - ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS and SEABORNE.  Lower down the two faces of the ROC Medal were depicted, again in full colour.   The simple inscription "1925 - 1995 For those  who served"  headed a list of milestones from the History of the Corps.
A truly memorable day and one that will be remembered for many years to come.
    

The Memorial Stone proudly standing at the end of the ROC Grove is an everlasting tribute to the Royal Observer Corps

Web Editors notes:- The Photo gallery below has replaced the Slide Show published earlier. Click on a picture to enlarge it and see the captions. Use arrows to move from left to right.  I don't know all the names but if you let me know any of the missing ones I'll add them accordingly. Also let me know of any errors. If your Group picture isn't there send it to me and I'll include it.                       Michael Marks      

Link to video film by Peter Owen http://youtu.be/BkB2v5xU_hk

The official website of the Royal Observer Corps Association

Return to Home Page
Data Protection
Links to external sites
Email Website Editor