Malcolm Prentice with Karen Davies – Photo Credit: Ian Hodgkinson
Veterans and staff came together alongside cadets and reservists when a Leicestershire rail maintenance firm took time out to remember those who died and served their country.
MTMS welcomed guests from the RAF and sea cadets and the 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps to its head office in Moira, near Swadlincote.
Army veteran Bruce Spencer, MTMS’ strategic lead, led the remembrance service which included a two-minute silence and the reading of a letter from Lieutenant JF Coull, a First World War soldier who wrote the words to his son, Fred, on April 2, 1917.
He wrote the letter in case he was killed in action – and sadly, his fears came to pass and he never got to see his son again.
Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS, ended the event with a moving speech about the importance of the past, present and future of the Armed Forces and remembering all they have sacrificed as he thanked those who attended.
MTMS advertises itself as a pro-military employer and has been awarded Silver Defence Employer Recognition status for its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Over the weekend, its staff laid wreaths on behalf of MTMS across Derbyshire to remember those who have served for their country.
Bruce, who was first commissioned into the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters, said: “Remembrance Day follows on from the ethos of supporting defence and making sure our Armed Forces have that support.
“Remembrance is incredibly important. Since most veterans served during operations in hostile environments, sadly most lost friends or colleagues. This is a moment of deep reflection as those who served on operations were not there because they wanted to be, it was because the nation asked them to do it.
“If we cease to remember, it will happen again. Remembrance is about making sure we don’t cast the lessons of history to the back of our minds.”
Among those at the event was squadron leader Ruth Morgan, of the 1211 Swadlincote RAF Cadets. She said: “It’s really important to be part of all remembrance events and for us to represent the cadets. The support of MTMS is key. We have been part of Swadlincote for more than 80 years and it’s important to keep that tradition.”
Sub Lieutenant Gareth Edwards, of the City of Derby Sea Cadets, said: “Remembrance is part of what we teach our young people as well as supporting our community.
“We encourage them to get out there and help people as they become productive members of the community.”
Warrant officer Ian Page, of the 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, said that as a reserve regiment it was really important for them to meet with people from the civilian workforce as they bring vital skills to the reserves and in return are trained to be leaders.
The Silver Defence Employer Recognition status for commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is a nationwide pledge to acknowledge and understand the need to treat current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families with fairness and respect.
MTMS currently services and maintains rolling stock and specialist equipment, as well as carrying out a broad range of infrastructure projects, at more than a half of the UK’s rail depots as far afield as Penzance and Aberdeen.
