CHAIRMAN of Wychavon District Council Coun Frances Smith joined members of the Mercian Regiment on their annual pilgrimage to pay tribute to their comrades who lost their lives in service to their country.
Coun Smith and her husband John were Worcestershire’s only civic dignitaries present at the moving service which took place at the regimental war memorial at Crich in Derbyshire.
It is the 96th time the journey has been made to the monument, which is a tower on top of a cliff standing nearly 1,000ft above sea level.
Dignitaries made the walk to the monument flanked by young recruits and senior officers of the regiment. The colours of the three regiments that make up the Mercian Regiment were paraded and after the Last Post was played
Coun Smith was invited to lay a wreath along with other guests.
“I felt extremely honoured to have been invited to take part in this ceremony which is an annual event to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the First and Second World wars and the many conflicts since then,” Coun Smith said.