Former HEREFORDSHIRE veterans have planted a piece of trees to commemorate those they fought alongside and lost in the war.
The light infantry based in Ross-on-Wye are former members of the fifth and sixth battalions of D Company – a heavy weapons company in the 181st.
Its purpose is to keep in touch with former members recruited from Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire so that they can socialize and help members with their welfare.
After the dissolution of D Company, the members served with other units and saw service in Afghanistan and Iraq.
They gathered at the Sennybridge Training Area, where they planted oak trees to commemorate the existence of their former reserve unit and those who served with the company.
Landi Broadman was the last company commander and an avid organizer of the oak planting.
The company is small but has a sense of pride and loyalty to one another, Broadman said.
“With our members no longer being young hens, former corporal serjeant Bob Morris had the idea to add oak planting to the company’s memory.”
Its Patron is General Sir John Foley, its President is Major General Greg Smith (a former subordinate of the Company), and its Vice President is Col. Andy Taylor.
The Epynt Center in Builth Wells is open to everyone.
The association intends to take care of the trees and to put up a plaque in front of them that represents company D.
There are also plans to plant Scots pines among the oaks.