Issue 11: June 2015 The Mercian Family Newsletter The Heart of England’s

News

Regimental News – 1st Battalion, The Mercian hosted the first Infantry Tug of War Championship in May,

with 1 and 2 MERCIAN teams performing excellently across the competition. The Regiment had representatives in

each of the weight category finals, with 2 MERCIAN powering to victory in two of these.

Teams from The Royal Irish Regiment, The and Royal Regiment of Fusiliers also took part in the

Championship at , Salisbury Plain where 1 MERCIAN are currently based. In total, 18 teams entered

over four weight categories, in what was a test of strength and teamwork for the soldiers.

In the 560kg category, 1 MERCIAN reached the final but lost out to The Royal Irish Regiment who fought hard for

their victory. However, The Royal Irish lost out to 2 MERCIAN in the 600kg weights, with another victory for 2

MERCIAN in the 640kg category. This was a particularly hard fought match against inter-Regiment rivals 1 MERCIAN.

In the 680kg weight category, The Coldstream Guards beat 1 MERCIAN after impressing throughout the knockout

phase.

1 MERCIAN – The Regiment’s Armoured Infantry Batt-

alion have been training on Castlemartin Ranges in

South Wales as part of Exercise Orac Eagle.

Soldiers from the battalion were interviewed by Forces

TV, showing how their skills have been put to the test in their Annual Crew Tests after converting from light role

to Armoured Infantry. 1 MERCIAN is training towards

being mission ready and will be tested soon in when the battalion deploys this August.

Elsewhere, 1 MERCIAN progressed into the 3 Division Operational Shooting Competition (OSC) after its strong performance in the 1 Brigade OSC.

Entering one team, they finishing seventh out of twenty teams, winning the Fire Team Close Combat Assessment in the process. The team has qualified for the Defence OSC which is being held later this month and will see them compete against teams from across the Armed Forces.

The 1 MERCIAN Surf Team went to North Devon spent time competing in the Army Inter-Unit Surfing Championships.

Although conditions were poor, spirits were high with Craftsman Billingham and Capt Fulford proving that the best surfer really is the ‘one having the most fun out there.’

2 MERCIAN - The Regiment’s light infantry Battalion organised and provided security at the Bastion Memorial Service of Rededication at the National Memorial Arboretum, to remember those who gave their lives during Combat

Operations in Afghanistan, 2001-2014.

A congregation of nearly 2,000 people, including Prince Harry, the Prime Minister, bereaved families, veterans and current Servicemen and women attended the service to rededicate the memorial in its new home.

The Benevolence team from RHQ and the Welfare staff

from the battalions, as well as the soldiers of 2 MERCIAN provided support to the 93 bereaved family members of soldiers killed in action from The who

were present at this service.

The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 2 MERCIAN,

WO1 Paul Muckle, was presented with a new ceremonial

Infantry Sword by the Worshipful Company of Bowyers on

21st May.

A ceremony for the presentation was held at the Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess at Dale Barracks, .

The Bowyers Master, the Reverend John Hayton TD, said how honoured the Bowyers were to have the MERCIAN’s as its affiliated regiment and how delighted they were to be able to provide the sword to the RSM of 2 MERCIAN. By accepting the sword on behalf of himself and all future RSM’s of 2 MERCIAN, WO1 Muckle thanked the Bowyers'

Company.

WO1 Muckle and Lieutenant Colonel Shove Gilby have now handed over to their successors. Lieutenant Colonel Ben

Wilde MBE and WO1 Rollins are the new Commanding Officer and RSM of 2 MERCIAN respectively.

4 MERCIAN - Soldiers from D Company have just completed training on the newly issued Glock pistol. The remainder of the Regiment’s Reserve Battalion are looking forward to a busy four weeks, with platoon attach weekend, Exercise

Cambrian Patrol preparation and some Adventure Training all planned.

Soldiers that had deployed on Operation TOSCA with 2 MERCIAN have now returned to their respective sub units after post operational tour leave.

The MOD has also announced a scheme which will reward soldiers who get family or friends to join the Army with

£100 of retail vouchers. Further details can be found here.

The Band of The Mercian Regiment - Joined by young musicians from Derbyshire ACF Band, the Regimental band continued its summer program with the Stoke-on-Trent Military Tattoo in aid of The Army Benevolent Fund.

This was a traditional concert for the first half and marching display in the second. Other groups were there to lend support, with one of the most moving parts, the Hymn to the Fallen with The Military Wives Choir from Salisbury.

Cadets – C and D Company from Staffordshire and West Midlands ACF spent a weekend Adventure Training in

Snowdonia, taking part in kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and orienteering. Next month, the cadets will be given the rare opportunity to enlist and experience the trenches first hand as part of World War 1 centenary commemorations. The event will give the cadets an insight into the lives of a soldier in 1914-18 and will take place at the Museum, . Further details will follow in the July newsletter.

Hereford and Worcestershire ACF congratulated its Commandant, Colonel Andy Taylor on being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2015.

With the Derbyshire ACF Band supporting The Band of The Mercian Regiment, the rest of the ACF have had a busy month taking part in a variety of fundraisers for different charities. Cadets also enjoyed time on Adventure Training by

taking part in kayaking.

Other News

Victoria Cross Commemorative Stone - A commemorative

stone to celebrate the achievements of Corporal James Upton VC took place in Lincoln at the start of June. Corporal

Upton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the First World War at the battle of Aubers Ridge.

On 9 May 1915 at Rouges Bancs, France, Corporal Upton rescued the wounded while exposed to rifle and artillery fire, going close to the enemy's parapet. One wounded man was killed by a shell while the corporal was carrying him. When not actually carrying the wounded, he was dressing and bandaging the serious cases in front of the parapet.

Council representatives, members of The Mercian Regiment, The Regimental Mascot, Private Derby XXX and family members of Corporal Upton were all in attendance.

WFRA Worcester Reunion - The WFRA annual Worcester Reunion took place at

Sixways Stadium, Worcester on 6 June.

Over 400 comrades and their families attended, with superb displays by the

museum and the historial society all on offer.

The Drum Head Service, led by Cannon

Paul Tongue, saw a break in proceedings to remember soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Officer in Charge, Colonel (Retd) David Sneath

DL TD MBE led those on parade under the words of command from the Parade RSM, CSM McNaulty, with the salute taken by Colonel Simon Banton OBE.

Founders Day - The annual Founder's Day Parade took place at the Royal

Hospital Chelsea on Thursday 4 June. His Royal Highness (HRH), The Duke

of York took the salute from the Chelsea Pensioners. The Mercian

Regiments current Chelsea Pensioner, Sergeant Jim Fellows was on

parade, with Mrs Pam Mear and Jim Massey representing The Mercian

Regiment. WO2 (Retd) Oliver, his wife Sue joined the Mercian gathering,

alongside Jim’s son and grandson who travelled down from RHQ Lichfield.

Events

A comprehensive list of Regimental events is available at the back of the newsletter. For further information on any of the below please email the Communications Officer.

Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy – 27th June – This will take place at Crosfields ARLFC in memory of Private Thomas Sephton. It will see the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment play the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and is free of entry for all.

Stalls, activities and other matches will also be on offer during the day. For further information, please click here. Details will be released on The Mercian Regiment Facebook page in due course.

WFRA Association Crich Dinner – 4th July - The dinner will be held at the Novotel, Bostocks Lane, Long Eaton, Derbyshire NG10 4EP (J25, M1). Tickets cost £18 per person and are advised to book early if interested, due to a maximum capacity of 150.

Further details can be obtained from The Worcestershire and Regimental Association, 83 Draycott Road, Old Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, NG10 3BL.

Regimental Pilgrimage To Crich Memorial – 5th July - Further details will follow in due course.

The Mercian Regiment Charity Golf Match – 2nd 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 4 person team prizes and longest drive and nearest pin prizes. Further details may be obtained from Lt Col

(Retd) Keith Seddon MBE BEM here.

Fundraising / Charity Update

Fundraiser – Three Peaks Yacht Challenge - On 27 June, a team of officers and soldiers from The Mercian

Regiment will be competing in the Three Peaks Yacht Race from Barmouth to Fort William, to raise money for The

Mercian Regiment's Benevolent Fund.

A team of five will sail from Barmouth to Fort William, with two of the crew climbing the highest mountains of Wales,

England and Scotland en route, running the equivalent of three marathons in three days. Use of engines is not allowed, except for safety reasons in specific areas in ports. To donate, please click here.

Captain Rupert Bowers was killed in Afghanistan in 2012 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian

Regiment. His sister Juliet is raising money for Help for Heroes Official by completing a skydive in his memory on 6

August. If you would like to support her please click here.

Stephen Pope, Andrew Hawkins and Dan Sephton from The Mercian Regiment ran the Chester Half Marathon in memory of their friend Lance Corporal Jamie

Webb on 17 May.

Two residents of Handforth – where Jamie lived – also participated, as they continue to raise money

for a war memorial in the village. This will

commemorate all the soldiers from the local area who have died on operations from World War One to the present day. Lance Corporal Jamie Webb died in Afghanistan on March 26 2013.

For more information, visit R.I.P Lance Corporal Jamie Webb Our Hero or Handforth Community War Memorial

Foundation. Contributions to the memorial can be donated here.

Awards & Honours

The Colonel of the Regiment would on behalf of the wider Regimental family, like to extend the warmest congratulations too:

WO2 Mick Hancock, 4 MERCIAN who received the Queens Volunteer Reserve Medal (QVRM) at Buckingham Palace.

It was presented for his outstanding service to the Army Reserve by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William on

Thursday 21 May. Only 13 of these are awarded each year.

The 54 year old from Mansfield has been on operational tours in Bosnia,

Iraq and Afghanistan, alongside overseas exercises in the USA, Belgium,

Cyprus and Kazakhstan. He said receiving the award was the highlight of

his reserve career: “Prince William did the honours and it is an experience I

will never forget. Being in the Army Reserve has changed my life. I’ve met

friends for life and have had the opportunity to train and serve in locations

around the world.”

Obituaries

It is with regret we inform you that the below have passed away. Our condolences are with their families and friends. Full obituaries will be in The 2015 Mercian Eagle.

Private (Retd) Brian Frederick Baylis died on Thursday 7 May 2015 after a seven year illness. Brian enlisted into the 1st Battalion, The on the 4th June 1959, serving in , Honduras and Norton Barracks amongst others. He left the Regiment in August and joined the Bromsgrove branch of the association, becoming

branch secretary.

‘Tiny’ Love from The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment died on 17 May. He served as Colonel Bob Stewart’s ‘bodyguard’ in

Bosnia and also became RSM of 3 CHESHIRE. ‘Tiny’ was also a Regimental sportsman, excelling mainly at rugby

due to his huge size.

Private (Retd) Daniel Karim died on 18 May. He was born on 22 July 1979 and initially served in The Duke Of

Lancaster’s Regiment, before beginning service with C Company, 3 MERCIAN from 2008. He was discharged on 31

May 2013.

Lance Corporal (Retd) George William Crump died on 12 June 2015 aged 68. George enlisted into 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 1967 and served until 1990. He served as a Regimental Policeman and also Ram Major during the seventies.

Regimental Annual Calendar

 Saturday 27 June 15 – Tom Sephton Trophy  Thursday 5 November 15 - Field of Remembrance

 Sunday 5 July 15 - Crich Pilgrimage  Sunday 8 November 15 - Remembrance

 Tuesday 1 September 15 - Formation Day  Monday 21 December 15 – Ferozeshah

 Saturday 5 September 15 - Staffordshire Reunion (For Arnhem Day)

 Sunday 6 September 15 - Mons Day  Wednesday 17 Feb 16 - Meeanee Day

 Friday 18 September 15 - Alma Day  Wednesday 6 April 16 - Badajoz Day

 Sunday 4 October 15 - Uttoxeter Races

For further information on any of the below please email the Communications Officer.

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