104-year-old former TA soldier joins centenary tribute
15 Sep 08
The oldest surviving former member of the Territorial Army in the UK was the guest of honour at a special memorial service and parade held in memory of TA soldiers killed in action and to mark the centenary of the TA.
The parade at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, part of a series of events being held this year to mark the TA100 celebrations
[Picture: Stuart Bingham]
The service and parade, which took place at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire on Saturday 13 September 2008, is one of a series of events being held this year to mark TA100, the Centenary of the Territorial Army.
Manchester born Edwin Cooper,104, of Belgrano, Abergele in Gwent, joined the TA following directly in the footsteps of his stepfather. He was called up on the day war broke out in 1939 and after training joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. The oldest surviving former member of the TA he joined many serving and former TA soldiers taking part in the event.
The parade was also attended by the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Westminster and Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the current head of the British Army. The event was hosted by Major General Martin Rutledge, General Officer Commanding the Army's 5th Division, based in Shrewsbury. He said:
"Through its hundred year history, the Territorial Army has served our country in peace and war, during national difficulties and natural disasters, in peacekeeping operations and armed conflicts around the world and it is very important that we acknowledge this 100 years of service at this time of both celebration and remembrance. Today's event at the NMA is a chance for us to remember and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Territorial Army."
Parading in front of the Duke of Kent, soldiers from the Territorial Army celebrated 100 years of voluntary service during a service and parade at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, part of a series of events being held this year to mark the TA100 celebrations
[Picture: Stuart Bingham]
Other VIP guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr James Hawley, Major General Chris Brown, General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland, Brigadier Jonathan Bourne-May, Commander 143 (West Midlands) Brigade, Brigadier Rick Libbey, Commander 160 (Wales) Brigade and Brigadier James Richardson, Commander 49 (East) Brigade.
The memorial service and parade involved around 90 parading TA troops, Colour and Guidon Parties, Royal British Legion standard bearers and representatives of Comrade and Regimental Associations. A total of 300 people took part in the parade and march past which in turn was followed by a fly past of three Gazelle helicopters from 6 Flight, 7 Regiment Army Air Corps.
Around 2,000 specially invited guests including friends and families of the TA, former members of the TA and related organisations also attended the service and parade. Following the parade the Duke of Kent presented medals to seven TA soldiers who have returned from operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.
Along with other VIPs he met a number of invited guests for tea in a marquee including serving soldiers, veterans, members of Comrades Associations, the Royal British Legion and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.