In pictures and video: Staffordshire Regiment's pride as memorial unveiled at Arboretum
Designed by former soldiers to remember the fallen - after 18 months of planning and fundraising a new memorial to the Staffordshire Regiment was finally unveiled.
Dozens of veterans gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas to dedicate a 15ft-high obelisk after the previous memorial had been branded an 'insult'.
The sun shone as former soldiers and their families took part in the ceremony on Saturday, the annual reunion day for the regiment.
Ex-servicemen marched through the arboretum, led by Staffordshire Regimental Association mascot, bull terrier Watchman V.
Lieutenant Colonel Giles Woodhouse, president of the association, said: "Backed by three tatty flagpoles, the initial monument was constructed from ordinary basic brickwork and topped with a metal plaque, which began to look out-dated and tired.
"The association therefore decided to build a more fitting and respectable memorial, to reflect the regiment's history, of over 300 years.
"I have been genuinely moved by the huge effort that has gone into both the fundraising and the building of the memorial. It's been a privilege to see the progress that has led to this inspiring memorial."
Members of the association made the decision to replace the original memorial more than 18 months ago.
The monument was designed as a scaled-down version of two obelisks which stand within Whittington Barracks, commemorating the North and South Staffordshire Regiments.
It was constructed from Red Hollington or 'Staffordshire' Stone - the same material used in the building of Lichfield Cathedral and Warwick Castle.
Some £32,000 was raised from public donations - which was three times more than the association's original target.
Significant contributions were made by Biddulph Town Council and Lichfield's Tippers Building Merchants, with bucket collections and online auctions also helping raise the necessary cash.
The memorial is the only one at the arboretum to be built and designed by former soldiers.
Brigadier Jim Tanner, said: "This has been an amazing achievement by our association. Many members have pulled their shirt sleeves up and worked exceptionally hard to make the project a success."
The Staffords started life as the 38th Regiment of Foot in Lichfield in 1705, becoming the North and South Staffords, which amalgamated to form The Staffordshire Regiment in 1959. This became the 3rd Battalion, Mercian Regiment after another Army reorganisation in 2007.
The 3rd Battalion, Mercian Regiment battalion, has now merged with the 1st and 2nd battalions which carry the name of the Staffords in their title.
