Mervyn Salter with Fred Andrews
I was pleased to represented the Civic Society at the Armed Forces Day celebrations on 29th June. After the military contingent marched through the town, an address was given by Councillor Pearson. He mentioned the two Corsham residents, Mervyn Salter and Fred Andrews, who had recently received their Arctic Convoy medals. The crowd erupted into spontaneous applause. From where the guests stood I could see one of the Petty Officers (PO) smiling and it looked as though he was dying to join in the applause, but as he was on parade, obviously could not.
On speaking with the PO at the reception afterwards, he told me that he and the other three representatives of the Royal Navy in the parade, a Leading Hand, another PO and one Chief Petty Officer, were joining in the applause by clapping behind their backs.
Jane Browning