Tree Dedication Arlewas
May 17th, 2012
Memorial Plaque
Dusty Smith’s oft repeated observation that “The sun shines on the righteous” proved to be prophetic on Sunday , 6th of May , 2012 , the day dawned clear and sunny after what seemed to be weeks of rain . We met at the Visitor Centre of the National Armed Forces Memorial before making our way together to our tree for the Dedication Service . Most of us were Junior Leaders from the 1960s so it seemed entirely appropriate that three of the assembled company were men who had trained us in those halcyon days . Ian Cartwright who was a Platoon Commander in Z Coy in the early 1960s , Ray Ironmonger CSM A Coy who provided not only discipline but a superb role model for young lads and Ray Woodfine , one of the excellent civilian lecturers , who not only gave all of us an excellent educational foundation but who also gave us the self belief that we could achieve academically .
Laying the Wreath
The service was taken by our own Association Padre , Rev Norman Setchall , himself an ex JL who passed out in 1961 . The service was short but very moving and included the Battalion Prayer which we all recalled from IJLB . Graham Fowler , the Association Treasurer , laid the wreath on our behalf and did so in the memory of his great friend Bob Ball , Grenadiers , who sadly passed away in the last few months . The idea to dedicate a tree came originally from Bob .
We sincerely hope that if any of you visit the NAFM that you spare a few moments to locate our tree and give a minute of your time to recall those of our number who laid down their lives for their country .
Locating our Tree
Enter the site via the Visitor Centre and exit by the side café door , walk down towards the main Memorial with it’s distinctive high walls . Take the stone flagged path round to the right until it ends then turn quarter left and proceed across the grass towards white stone path known as the Mall , there is a small , grassed footbridge . On reaching the Mall turn left , proceed towards the Household Division Memorial and just before you reach it turn right up a short , unmade track to the Army Apprentices Memorial , our tree is located on the left side of that structure .
