National Memorial Arboretum Service, July 2005

On Saturday 30th July 2005 members of PUMA visited The Beat and the Ulster Ash Grove, both situated in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.  Following the COPS memorial service the opportunity was taken to place wreaths at the various trees on the Beat, commemorating fallen officers from throughout the United Kingdom. 

Remembering fallen USC Comrades at the memorial tree on "The Beat"

The main PUMA event started with a parade from the Beat to the Ulster Ash Grove, led by the Nottinghamshire Police Pipe Band.  
The Standards, plus many members of PUMA and visiting organisations, immediately followed along Millennium Avenue.
The short parade later received many favourable comments from other visitors and NMA staff who witnessed it passing by.  
The Ulster Ash Grove consists of a large monolith, surrounded by six boulders native to each of the six counties placed within an area of Ash trees planted in memory of those who died.  The inscription on the memorial reads; 
“In grateful memory of the men and women of the Royal Ulster Constabulary G.C. The Armed Forces and other organisations in the service of the crown, who laid down their lives in the cause of peace in Northern Ireland 1961-2001”

Nottingham Police Pipe Band leading the PUMA parade along Millenium Avenue

The Service of Remembrance commenced with a short welcoming address by Lord Cush, Lord Lt of Staffordshire, and was conducted by the Rev WJ Watson, MBE, chaplain of the USC Association. Bob Young, PUMA, read the official prayer for the RUC GC, with David Evans, UDR Association reading a prayer for those who died whilst providing military support to the police. The Ode to the Fallen was recited by Mr Frank Frew, Scottish Representative of the Northern Ireland Veteran’s Association, and preceded the Last Post sounded by Richard Stamp, West Midlands Police.  
There then followed a two-minute silence in memory of all the police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

ACC Roy Toner, PSNI, led the wreath laying ceremony, followed by Constable Troy Canon, representing PUMA.
Wreaths were also laid by the USC, UDR, RIR, NIVA and many individuals honouring the loss of their colleagues and family members

The Service concluded with a sermon led by the Rev Watson, before the members visited the trees planted within the Ash Grove.  
For many people, especially those who travelled from Northern Ireland, this was their first opportunity to visit the site and it proved to be a highly emotive occasion for all who attended.

Honouring the service and sacrifice of the RUG GC and our military colleagues at the Ulster Ash Grove.