Birmingham

The memorial is a black plaque with gold text situated in the St Thomas’ Peace Gardens, installed 1994, It now resides in the remains of St Thomas’ Church, which was a neoclassical style and was originally built as an act of remembrance following the Battle of Waterloo. The church suffered a direct hit during the Birmingham Blitz on 11th December 1940 leaving only the tower and portico. The site was landscaped for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and later turned into a Peace garden in 1995.

A DAY TO REMEMBER! - BNTVA Magazine Xmas 1994

"GOD smiled on the West Midlands branch on September 17,1994. The sun shone continuously onto the Peace Gardens during the service unveiling our West Midlands Memorial Stone.

The occasion was reasonably attended, and it was good to see so many who made the effort to travel and attend, each hoping the weather would hold fair. God Bless us all - it did.

Our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling, the Rev. Peter Berry (Provost of Birmingham), and Rev. Christine Craven (General Secretary of the Council of Christian Churches), who conducted the service.

Lord Gordon Parry travelled up from Wales to unveil the Stone and the Rt.Hon. Jeff Rooker MP was also in attendance.

We were extremely pleased to see how confidently and smartly our grandchildren carried out their little tasks and in fact everyone, without exception, turned out "shipshape and Bristol fashion".

We thank most sincerely all dignitaries for their wonderful support that day in particular Lord Parry. I was informed he was just a normal, ordinary man and I found him to be a Lord in soul and spirit. He is the epitome of what a Peer of the Realm should be and others could do better by following his example. Thank you sir!

A mention for the band of T.S. Leopard, who gave a good account of themselves. The list of goodwill is endless.

The occasion was financed by the very dear family of our recently departed Denis Mills whom we all miss dearly. Thank you Jean and family I am sure Denis was with us in spirit also.

Most of you are aware the Memorial Stone was donated by the Co-Operative Funeral Services and we are indebted to them - many, many thanks.

There were a lorra, lorra fine people making frantic efforts behind the scenes, hurrying, scurrying to and fro, phoning, travelling, planning and executing the many functions to ensure the day was a success.

The buffet did not produce itself and special thanks go to the McCormack family - Murial, Allison, Sharon, Steven and Stanley (Stanley made a video of the occasion) for the truly magnificent spread. Well done to you all.

Second lastly, two people set this day up from start to finish, completely on their own, hurriedly, frustratingly, admirably, devotedly and cheekily. Then they finished up In the club with 'Tetley*, (tea that is). Nobby, Murial, Murial, Nobby - take a bow. Go on, take another.

Two of the nicest members in our branch! Who said so? I bloody did.

All the best to all of you." 
Archie Ross West Midlands Branch

We are aware that this memorial is currently in need of serious restoration as it has been badly damaged. and we are in discussions with the teams responsible about this. Hopefully that the work will carried out in the not too distant future.

As you can see with the below from the photos which have been sent to us the first one is dated 2009 and shows the top right corner has been poorly glued back in place. The following 3 were sent in 2020 and 21 showing the stone has been since been knocked over and the corner has been lost.