Issue 13: August 2015 The Mercian Family 2 Newsletter The Heart of England’s Infantry 1 MERCIAN News MERCIAN SOLDIERS COMPLETE TRAINING AHEAD OF DEPLOYMENT TO CANADA - C (Kohima) Company, 1 MERCIAN recently completed a simulated urban raid, as they finished preparations for the British Army's largest armoured infantry exercise in Canada.The unit have been training during the past year to make the transition from light role to armoured infantry, with this training the final stage. The aim of the mission was to carry out an urban raid and capture the enemy. In order to make the exercise seem as realistic as possible, there were grenades, rounds firing and of course a target which the soldiers commented as successful in playing 'it's role.' However, they were also observed by Major-General Patrick Sanders, the current General Officer Commanding the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, adding to the pressure on the soldiers. Despite his presence, 1 MERCIAN showed impressive resilience and have now joined the rest of the battalion who have deployed to Canada for Exercise Prairie Storm earlier this month. HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN WALES SCALED BY MERCIAN SOLDIERS - Members of HQ Company, 1 MERCIAN climbed the highest peak in Wales (Mount Snowdon) in early August as part of an Adventure Training package. The training is designed to build fitness, confidence in navigation and survival skills out of a military context. Luckily for the team, by the time they reached the top, visibility was up and they could look down through the clouds at their route! 1 MERCIAN SOLDIERS COMPLETE THE FAN DANCE – This month, the soldiers of 2 Platoon, 1 MERCIAN spent a day navigating their way over the notoriously difficult 'Fan Dance'. The combat march took them over the highest mountain in South Wales, covering more than 20km over some extremely difficult terrain. This gruelling test is regarded across the British Army as the benchmark for soldiers hoping to become commanders in the Infantry. They carried full combat kit, weighing up to 60lbs and after over 4 ½ hours of hard work, they completed the course. 2 MERCIAN News SOLDIERS CONDUCT CLOSE COMBAT TRAINING - C (Kohima) Company have conducted dismounted close combat (DCC) training, in preparation for upcoming deployments. Soldiers have been put through the arduous task of close combat fighting; a hand to hand skill which requires the maximum aggression, fitness and control from the trained soldiers. The training was one of the final tests the soldiers faced before their impending deployments across the world. Before this, they go on summer leave to enjoy some well-deserved downtime. 4 MERCIAN News MERCIAN RESERVISTS CONDUCT URBAN WARFARE TRAINING - Soldiers and Officers from 4 MERCIAN recently conducted 'fighting in built up areas' (FIBUA) training at Whinny Hill Training Area, Catterick. The purpose of the Exercise was to maintain the soldiers skill set in this crucial part of modern warfare. Following the blank firing exercise, they also took part in an urban assault course to help improve their speed, agility and robustness when entering and clearing buildings. 4 MERCIAN have now deployed to Croatia on a two week long exercise. RHQ News RHQ MERCIAN VISITS AFFILIATED SHIP HMS ALBION - Earlier this month, the soldiers and officers of RHQ MERCIAN travelled to Plymouth to HMS Albion. The Mercian Regiment's affiliated ship is currently in a dry dock in Plymouth undergoing routine maintenance, before assuming the role of the Royal Navy's fleet Flagship. Captain Shergold and the Regimental Support Team were given a guided tour of the ship, including a visit down into the dock. Here they witnessed the size of the hull, where there is the capacity for an entire battalion's strength of Warrior AFV. Band Of The Mercian Regiment News BAND PROVIDE MUSIC TO END OF TRAINING PARADE - The Band of the Mercian Regiment provided the music on parade as more than 120 reserve recruits completed the final stage of their Phase One Army training at the Army Training Regiment in Grantham during August. They marked the end of their training by taking part in a Pass Off Parade in front of family and friends at Gloucester Barracks, and were inspected by Major General Ranald Munro, the Deputy Commander of Land Forces. Cadets News CADETS EXPERIENCE LIFE IN THE TRENCHES - D Company, Staffordshire & West Midlands (North Sector) Army Cadet Force spent the start of July at Staffordshire Regiment Museum, as they were given the rare opportunity to experience ‘a weekend in the trenches’ first hand. The event gave the cadets an insight into the lives of soldiers during The Great War from 1914-18, with all sleeping, eating and living in the museum trench system throughout the two days. Interested cadets were given the chance to enlist into the 1915 British Army, before undergoing training in the use of medium and light machine guns and artillery. Prior to the event, the cadets each researched a soldier who fought during the war, so that they could share ‘their’ story during the weekend. Other News Museum of the Mercian Regiment (WFR Collection). The museum was recently awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant to redevelop its Gallery. The new Gallery will tell the story of the Regiment through objects related to the soldiers of the 45th and 95th Regiment of Foot, The Sherwood Foresters, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters and finally The Mercian Regiment. Follow the museum on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the redevelopment. Changes at Cheshire Military Museum. The museum has recently seen a change of Director, with Andy Manktelow taking on the position following his retirement from the RAF after 37 years’ service. Other changes include an adjustment to its opening hours to accommodate housekeeping, maintenance of the exhibits and the facilitation of staff and volunteer training. Closing the museum every Wednesday from the 1 September will enable this vital work to be done, which in turn is hoped will improve the visitors experience. Somme Centenary 2016. The UK Government has announced that a ballot will be held for tickets to attend next year's commemorations in France, marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Further details are available here. Foresters Star in WW1 Short Story. Charles Thompson Armstrong lost a leg and an eye fighting with the Sherwood Foresters during the German spring offensive of 21 March, 1918. For the WW1 Centenary, his son Keith was inspired to write a short story based on the Sherwood Foresters part in the conflict. To read it, please click here. William Coltman VC Memorial Walk. In early August, 50 walkers took part in a charity walk raising money for the National Memorial Arboretum. This walk was dedicated to the life of William Coltman VC, a local hero who served in the North Staffordshire Regiment as a stretcher bearer in WW1. It covered a distance of over 14 miles and was in aid of trying to raise £6000 for the NMA, which will help in the funding of a new Remembrance Centre. For further information or to donate, please click here. Regimental Crockery. The remainder of the regimental crockery will be sold at a private auction on 25 and 26 August. A catalogue of items and further details will be released on this site, one week before the auction. Official Mercian Regiment Instagram Account. The Mercian Regiment now has an official Instagram account which can be found here. The Mercian Regiment Association Facebook Group. For those past and present members of The Mercian Regiment who would like to keep up to date with current regimental events, there is now a private group on Facebook which will provide this information. To join, please email the Regimental Communications Officer. Events A comprehensive list of Regimental events is available at the back of the newsletter. Memorial Talk : A Spotlight On Local Hero – William Coltman – 27 August – The National Memorial Arboretum is hosting a talk about William Coltman, VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar. During the course of WWI, whilst serving as a stretcher bearer in the 6th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment, he was recognised numerous times for his valour and heroism. He received many medals, including a Victoria Cross. Further details can be found here. Mercian Regiment Charity Golf Match – 2 September - This will take place at Rufford Park Golf and Country Club. The entry cost for a team of four is £140.00. The format of the day will be 18 hole stableford for individual, pairs and four person teams, with a variety of other competitions. Further details may be obtained from Lt Col (Retd) Keith Seddon MBE here. Merchant Navy Day – 3 September – On this date across the country, local authorities will be taking part in a national ‘flying a flag for the merchant navy’ in recognition of our merchant seafarers and the contribution they have made and continue to make in all our lives. Wychavon District Council has extended an invitation to the WFRA, including Standard Bearers, to attend their Raising of the Flag ceremony. Should you wish to attend, please email Wychavon council here. Staffordshire Regimental Association Reunion & Rededication Of Memorial– 5 September – The Annual Reunion will take place on Saturday 5 September 2015. On the same day, a rededication of the new antecedent Regiments memorial will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. For tickets and further information, please call Helen Rayson at RHQ Mercian on 01543 434351. Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association Picnic - 13 September – This annual event takes place at the National Memorial Arboretum from 1130. For further details, please click here. Staffordshire Regiment Museum Regency Event - 20 September - Regency Dance Troop, re-enactors, tea tent and access to the museum gallery and trench from 1100 – 1600.