HUNDREDS turned out for the annual reunion of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association.

Retired and serving soldiers, cadets, and families attended the event today, (Saturday), which was held at Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium in sunny weather.

The annual reunion is held on the first Saturday of every June, and commemorates the 1794 naval battle known as the ‘Glorious First of June’.

The highlight was a parade and drumhead service - a church service, that is conducted by a military padre on battlefields.

Reverend Charles Thomas conducted the service to the troops, which included readings and hymns, before the last post and a one minute silence.

The National Anthem was also played by the Tenbury Town band.

Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Ginn gave a speech in which he told those who had gathered that all their battalions continued to stand firm, and strike hard, while they are being deployed across the world.

In 2007, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment was amalgamated with the 22nd Cheshire and Staffordshire Regiments to become the Mercian Regiment, and Lt Col Ginn provided an update on this.

Lt Col Ginn said: “Although the Mercian Regimental Association is gathering momentum it is not, I would stress, the death of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association.

“Rather the Mercian Association will act as an umbrella organisation, not to remove individual associations identities, but to ensure each continues to thrive, stronger together.”