WATCH parade and service as Hednesford memorial stone is re-dedicated
A special parade and service has been held to mark the re-dedication of a historic memorial stone in Hednesford.
The coping stone was a feature on the old Drill Hall before the building was demolished to make way for the new Tesco store in 2012.
The stone dates back to when the hall in Victoria Street was first opened in 1894 and also features the South Staffordshire Regiment cap badge.
Around 120 people attended the unveiling ceremony on Saturday at the Army Cadet Force building in Hednesford.
Gordon Taylor, chairman of the Hednesford branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association, said it was a fitting occasion to mark a very special moment.
He said: "The stone was broken into bits when it was removed from the old Drill Hall. It was in a really bad way.
"A Midland stone mason pieced it all together. A lovely job has been done on the stone and we had a great turnout at the unveiling ceremony.
"We had around 120 people at the ceremony. Everyone had a lovely day.
"The stone deserves to be back in Hednesford and in Victorian Street."
Mr Taylor served for six years in the 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment from 1958 to 1964. He has been chairman of the Hednesford branch for more than 20 years.
A wreath was also laid at the ceremony and The Last Post was played.
A red oak tree was also planted in nearby Hednesford Park to mark the occasion and a dedication ceremony for that also held. The tree was paid for by Hednesford Town Council.
The Drill Hall provided indoor training facilities, an armoury, indoor rifle range and accommodation for an instructor or caretaker. It closed in 2012. The Drill Hall was also used for recruiting.
In its latter years it became a bingo hall.
