Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters
Encyclopedia
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) was an infantry
regiment
of the British Army
, part of the Prince of Wales' Division
. It was formed in 1970 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:
The regiment served as the county regiment of the following counties:
In 2004, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, it was announced that the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters would be amalgamated with the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment
and the Staffordshire Regiment to form the new Mercian Regiment
.
In July 2005, the 1st Battalion moved to Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow
as a public duties
battalion, where it, amongst other duties, provided the Queen's Guard
. In August 2007, the regiment was renamed as the 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), before moving to Northern Ireland in the light infantry role in 2008.
The first Private Derby was acquired in 1858 by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot at the siege and capture of Kotah during the Indian Mutiny Campaign of 1857 - 1858. The Commanding Officer whilst on one of his forays within the town, noticed a fine fighting ram tethered in a temple yard. He directed Private Sullivan of Number 1 Company to take the ram into his possession. We are not told what were the intentions of the Commanding Officer in taking the ram, but if it were with the anticipation of a sound mutton dinner, then he must have gone hungry, for the ram was not slaughtered.
Since that time there has followed a succession of fine rams, each of which has inherited the official title of PRIVATE DERBY followed by his successive number. The earliest replacement Rams were presented to the regiment in which ever part of the world they were serving in at the time. However, since 1912 it has become the tradition for the Duke of Devonshire
to select a Swaledale Ram from his Chatsworth
Park flock and present it to the regiment. It is a tradition the Duke is proud to hold, in recognition of the close association between the regiment and the Dukes of Devonshire.
However, as with most things, there have been odd departures from tradition and in 1924, DERBY XIV was presented to the regiment by His Highness Sir Umeo Singh Bahador GCB GLSI GCIE The Mohorac of Kotah.
When on parade Private Derby wears a coat of scarlet with Lincoln green and gold facings, the whole emblazoned with the regiment's main battle honours. Also on his coat is a replica of his India Mutiny Medal, in addition he now wears the General Service Medal 1962 with Clasp Northern Ireland for he has been stationed there several times over the years. On his forehead is a silver plate suitably embossed with the Regimental Cap Badge while on the tips of his horns fit a pair of silver protectors. These latter are not as might be imagined to protect the horns, but rather to protect the clothing of the Ram Major, Ram Orderly and visitors, of which he receives a great number each time he appears in public.
Private Derby has two handlers whose duty it is to look after him at all times. The senior handler carries the battalion rank of "Ram Major" whilst the other has that of "Ram Orderly". It is the Ram Major's responsibility to prepare Private Derby for all parades and the many other appearances which he makes. They also escort Private Derby when he is on parade by standing, one on either side, leading or controlling him with two white ornamental ropes which are attached to a leather collar.
- 13th Battalion, The Punjab Regiment
- HMS Nottingham
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, part of the Prince of Wales' Division
Prince of Wales' Division
The Prince of Wales's Division is a British Army command, training and administrative apparatus designated for all land force units in the West of England and Wales. The Prince of Wales's Division was formed in 1968 with the union of the Mercian Brigade, Welsh Brigade and Wessex Brigade...
. It was formed in 1970 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:
- The Worcestershire Regiment (29th Regiment of Foot29th Regiment of FootThe 29th Regiment of Foot was, from 1694 to 1881, an infantry regiment of the British Army. It now forms part of the Mercian Regiment.-Formation:...
/ 36th Regiment of Foot) - The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
The regiment served as the county regiment of the following counties:
- DerbyshireDerbyshireDerbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
- NottinghamshireNottinghamshireNottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
- WorcestershireWorcestershireWorcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
In 2004, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, it was announced that the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters would be amalgamated with the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
The Cheshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division.The regiment was created in 1881 as part of the Childers reforms by the linking of the 22nd Regiment of Foot and the militia and rifle volunteers of Cheshire...
and the Staffordshire Regiment to form the new Mercian Regiment
Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of three existing regiments on 1 September 2007.The regiment has three regular army battalion's and one Territorial Army or reserve battalion...
.
In July 2005, the 1st Battalion moved to Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow
Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow
Cavalry Barracks is a British Army installation located north of Hounslow Heath in Hounslow, west London. The site, which has been used for more than two centuries by the British Army, is currently part of the Ministry of Defence's SLAM project to improve military accommodation...
as a public duties
Public duties
Public duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.-Germany:...
battalion, where it, amongst other duties, provided the Queen's Guard
Queen's Guard
The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in London...
. In August 2007, the regiment was renamed as the 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), before moving to Northern Ireland in the light infantry role in 2008.
Private Derby
The 95th Derbyshire Regiment were, since 1858, famous for their Regimental Mascot, a Ram. He was and still is known as Private DERBY and has been held on the official strength of the regiment since that time. He has his own individual system of numbering (beginning with No1 to the present 28th) and documentation. In addition he is on the ration strength and draws his rations like any other soldier, albeit he tends to favour a much different diet.The first Private Derby was acquired in 1858 by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot at the siege and capture of Kotah during the Indian Mutiny Campaign of 1857 - 1858. The Commanding Officer whilst on one of his forays within the town, noticed a fine fighting ram tethered in a temple yard. He directed Private Sullivan of Number 1 Company to take the ram into his possession. We are not told what were the intentions of the Commanding Officer in taking the ram, but if it were with the anticipation of a sound mutton dinner, then he must have gone hungry, for the ram was not slaughtered.
Since that time there has followed a succession of fine rams, each of which has inherited the official title of PRIVATE DERBY followed by his successive number. The earliest replacement Rams were presented to the regiment in which ever part of the world they were serving in at the time. However, since 1912 it has become the tradition for the Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire is a title in the peerage of England held by members of the Cavendish family. This branch of the Cavendish family has been one of the richest and most influential aristocratic families in England since the 16th century, and have been rivalled in political influence perhaps only...
to select a Swaledale Ram from his Chatsworth
Chatsworth
-Places:Australia* Chatsworth, Queensland* Electoral district of Chatsworth, Queensland, AustraliaCanada* Chatsworth, Ontario, a township* Chatsworth, Ontario , located within above townshipSouth Africa* Chatsworth, Durban* Chatsworth, Western Cape...
Park flock and present it to the regiment. It is a tradition the Duke is proud to hold, in recognition of the close association between the regiment and the Dukes of Devonshire.
However, as with most things, there have been odd departures from tradition and in 1924, DERBY XIV was presented to the regiment by His Highness Sir Umeo Singh Bahador GCB GLSI GCIE The Mohorac of Kotah.
When on parade Private Derby wears a coat of scarlet with Lincoln green and gold facings, the whole emblazoned with the regiment's main battle honours. Also on his coat is a replica of his India Mutiny Medal, in addition he now wears the General Service Medal 1962 with Clasp Northern Ireland for he has been stationed there several times over the years. On his forehead is a silver plate suitably embossed with the Regimental Cap Badge while on the tips of his horns fit a pair of silver protectors. These latter are not as might be imagined to protect the horns, but rather to protect the clothing of the Ram Major, Ram Orderly and visitors, of which he receives a great number each time he appears in public.
Private Derby has two handlers whose duty it is to look after him at all times. The senior handler carries the battalion rank of "Ram Major" whilst the other has that of "Ram Orderly". It is the Ram Major's responsibility to prepare Private Derby for all parades and the many other appearances which he makes. They also escort Private Derby when he is on parade by standing, one on either side, leading or controlling him with two white ornamental ropes which are attached to a leather collar.
Alliances
- The Grey and Simcoe ForestersThe Grey and Simcoe Foresters
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group...
- 13th Battalion, The Punjab Regiment
Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)
The Punjab Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army. The modern regiment was formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 1st Punjab Regiment, 14th Punjab Regiment, 15th Punjab Regiment and 16th Punjab Regiment...
- HMS Nottingham
HMS Nottingham (D91)
HMS Nottingham was a batch two Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy, named after the city of Nottingham, England. She was launched on 18 February 1980, and commissioned on 8 April 1983 as the sixth ship to bear the name....