Birmingham City Council WW1 events

Birmingham City Council held two special First World War commemorative events last year.

The 21st of November 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the Birmingham Pals Battalions leaving British shores to fight in France during the First World War.

To honour these brave Birmingham men, many of whom were employed by Birmingham City Council, a special memorial plaque has been commissioned, which will be displayed at the Great Charles Street entrance of the Museum and Art Gallery, where many of the men were attested.

The Birmingham Pals Battalions were part of the then Royal Warwickshire Regiment (now the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers). Veterans from the Warwickshire Regiment Associations, Army cadets from Sutton Coldfield, and soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers were present at the unveiling.

The Lord Mayor and Col. Carruthers OBE TD of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers unveiled the plaque which was followed by a prayer of dedication by the Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham. The Last Post marked the start of the minute’s silence as a mark of respect and honour for the Birmingham Pals. The event was also attended by the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Col. Tom Lloyd OBE TD DL, and representatives of the City Council.

In the presence of HRH The Duke of Cambridge, 10 Victoria Cross Commemorative Paving Stones were unveiled at the Hall of Memory on December 7th. The VC Paving Stones honour the memory of 10 brave Birmingham men who were awarded the VC during the First World War. 627 VCs were awarded during the First World War, and each city and town with men who were awarded the VC have been given a Commemorative Paving stone to mark the 100th anniversary of their act of valour.

Representatives of the VC holder’s regiment and members of their families were invited to attend the event and to pay their respects. HRH laid a wreath in honour of the 10 men at the Hall of Memory, where he also had a private audience with regimental and family representatives. The event was hosted by the Lord Mayor and attended by the Bishop of Birmingham and Brigadier Anderton Brown of the 11th Signals Regiment. A reception was held for guests following the event at the Library of Birmingham.

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