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Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and
Foresters, and Staffords)
Mercian Cap Badge.png
Cap badge of the regiment
Active 1 September 2007 – present
Country  United Kingdom
Branch  British Army
Type Line Infantry
Role 1st Battalion – Armoured Infantry
4th Battalion – Army Reserve – Armoured Infantry
Size Two battalions
1,155 personnel
1st Battalion – 732
4th Battalion – 423
Part of Queen's Division
Garrison/HQ RHQ - Lichfield
1st Battalion - Bulford
4th Battalion - Wolverhampton
Nickname(s) The Heart of England's Infantry
Motto(s) "Stand Firm Strike Hard"
March Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie/Under the Double Eagle (Quick)
Stand Firm and Strike Hard (Slow)
Mascot(s) Ram (Lance Corporal Derby XXXII)
Engagements
  • Operation Telic
  • Operation Herrick
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief The Prince of Wales KG KT PC ADC(P)
Colonel of
the Regiment		 Lieutenant General Ian John Cave CB
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash Mercian TRF.svg
Arm Badge Stafford Knot and Glider
From Staffordshire Regiment
Abbreviation MERCIAN MERC

The Mercian Regiment is a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They are an infantry regiment, which means they are trained to fight on foot. This regiment gets its soldiers from five counties that used to be part of an old kingdom called Mercia.

They are known as 'The Heart of England's Infantry'. The Mercian Regiment was created on 1 September 2007. This happened when three older regiments joined together. Since then, they have been sent on fifteen important missions around the world.

History of the Mercian Regiment

The idea to create the Mercian Regiment was announced in 2004. This was part of a plan to make the British Army Infantry stronger. The new regiment was formed by combining three existing regiments.

The regiments that joined together were:

  • The 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
  • The 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment
  • The 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment

At first, the Mercian Regiment had three full-time battalions and one reserve battalion. A battalion is a large group of soldiers. Later, in 2014, one of the full-time battalions was disbanded. Then, in 2022, another battalion joined with the first one.

The regiment has been sent to places like Afghanistan and Iraq for important missions.

How the Regiment is Organized

The Mercian Regiment has different parts that work together.

Regimental Headquarters

The main office for the regiment is in Lichfield, at DMS Whittington. They also have smaller offices in Chester and Nottingham.

1st Battalion

The 1st Battalion is a group of soldiers trained for armoured infantry. This means they often work with armoured vehicles. Since 2007, they have been on five missions. These missions include trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Estonia. They are based at Bulford Camp in England.

4th Battalion

The 4th Battalion is the regiment's Army Reserve battalion. Reserve soldiers train part-time and can be called upon when needed. This battalion also focuses on armoured infantry. Its main offices are in Wolverhampton and Kidderminster, England. It has two rifle companies, a support company, and a headquarters company.

Special Features of the Regiment

The Mercian Regiment has unique symbols and traditions. These help them remember their history and where they come from.

Regimental Cap Badge

The regiment's cap badge shows a double-headed Mercian Eagle with an old Saxon crown. This design connects the regiment to its recruiting area. This area includes many different counties that were once part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia.

The badge was chosen to link to this shared history. It was changed slightly in 2005 to have two different metal colours. In 2014, the regiment's name was also updated to include the names of the older regiments that formed it. This was done to keep their history alive.

Regimental Mascot: Derby the Ram

Private Derby takes a march down the mall. (36361519526)
Private Derby XXX, a Swaledale ram and mascot for the Mercian Regiment
Church Street Ashbourne - geograph.org.uk - 1759189
Mercian Regiment in Ashbourne, Derbyshire on 18 March 2010

The Mercian Regiment has a special mascot: a Swaledale ram named "Derby." This tradition comes from one of the older regiments, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

There have been many "Derbys" over the years. For example, Lance Corporal Derby XXX passed away in 2015. His successor, Private Derby XXXI, died in 2017. In December 2017, Private Derby XXXII was given to the regiment. He was presented by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

Private Derby XXXII even led the Tamworth Carnival in 2019. This was his longest march so far! The regiment also has links to another former mascot, "Watchman," from the Staffordshire Regiment.

Uniform and Dress

The Mercian Regiment's uniform includes special details called "Golden Threads." These threads represent the traditions of the older units that joined to form the regiment.

Some of these special details include:

  • Arm badge: A gold wire Stafford knot and glider badge.
  • Collar badge: Oak leaves and an acorn, combined with the motto Firm.
  • Facing colour: A buff (light brown) colour, used on full dress uniforms.
  • Sword frog: A part of the belt that holds a sword, from the Worcestershire Regiment.
  • Officer's rank badges: Bronze or gun metal colour.
  • Rank badges for Warrant Officers and NCOs: Have a black backing.
  • Cap badge backing: A square piece of Lincoln green cloth worn behind the cap badge on the beret.
  • Lanyards: Soldiers now wear a multi-coloured lanyard with twists of cerise (pinkish-red), buff, and green.
  • Tactical Recognition Flashes (TRFs): These are diamond-shaped patches. The regiment's TRF has three vertical stripes: cerise, buff, and Lincoln green.
  • Regimental Side Hat: A black hat with buff and green details.
  • Pullover: Officers and Warrant Officers wear a buff-coloured pullover.
  • Stable Belt: A buff-coloured belt with a bronze buckle showing the cap badge.

Regimental Band

The Band of the Mercian Regiment is a military band made up of volunteer musicians. They are based in Wolverhampton. The band performs at many events, including parades, festivals, and concerts.

They have traveled to places like Cyprus. In 2014, they became the first reserve band from outside London to perform during the changing of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. They also took part in the Household Division's Beating Retreat event.

In 2019, the band led the Tamworth carnival. One of their buglers, Msn Wykes, performed the Last Post and Rouse at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Regimental Museums

The Mercian Regiment helps support four museums. These museums keep collections and tell the stories of the Mercian Regiment and the older regiments that formed it.

The museums are located in:

Regimental Colonels

A Colonel of the Regiment is a senior officer who acts as a special leader and guide for the regiment.

  • 2007-2008: Major General C. G. S. Hughes CBE
  • 2008–2013: Brigadier Andrew Sharpe OBE
  • 2013–2018: Brigadier Andrew P. Williams OBE
  • 2018–Present: Lieutenant General Ian J. Cave CB

Alliances with Other Military Units

The Mercian Regiment has special connections, called alliances, with other military units around the world. These alliances were passed down from the three regiments that joined together.

Some of their allies include:

Freedoms of Cities and Towns

The regiment has been given the "Freedom of the City" by many towns and cities. This is a special honour that allows the regiment to march through the streets with drums beating and flags flying.

Some of the places that have given this honour include:

Images for kids

  • Private Derby takes a march down the mall. (36361519526)

    Private Derby XXX, a Swaledale ram and mascot for the Mercian Regiment

  • Church Street Ashbourne - geograph.org.uk - 1759189

    Mercian Regiment in Ashbourne, Derbyshire on 18 March 2010

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