Page 5 - Mercian Eagle 2013

Foreword
Brigadier AP Williams OBE
My first Foreword as Colonel of The Regiment begins with sincere thanks to my predecessor Major General Andrew Sharpe, whose sterling work to establish a sure foundation for this Regiment looks even more impressive as I try and tackle some of the second and third order impacts of bringing together our three proud antecedent regiments. Above all,
I pay tribute to his personal commitment to those killed or wounded on operations; and of course their families. For me, this reinforces the value we as a Regiment place upon ‘family’.
A momentous year for The Mercian Regiment saw the Presentation of New Colours by HRH, The Prince of Wales, our Colonel in Chief. An unique opportunity for the The Mercian Regimental family to gather, it was very special to see our cadets, associations and our serving soldiers across both our regular and our reservist battalions on parade. I am delighted that so many families and friends shared the day, witnessing an important milestone in the evolution of The Mercian Regiment. With all battalions now marching under the same Colours, we have now come of age.
It has also been an enormous privilege for me as the Colonel of the Regiment to participate in the services to
Lay Up our Old Colours. Always emotional occasions, we remembered friends, families and shared experiences, as we turned a page in our history. Above all, the golden thread of our antecedent heritage remains woven as spiritually in our ethos and minds, as it is physically in our magnificent New Mercian Colours.
Amidst all this we must not lose sight of the tremendous success our soldiers have had on and off operations.
4 MERCIAN must be congratulated for their hugely successful company contribution to the UN in Cyprus; whilst 1 MERCIAN’s significant achievements in Afghanistan were
recently recognised in the Honours and Awards list. It is humbling to read of our soldiers’ actions in combat; the citations of Cpl Griffiths CGC and Rfn Taylor QGM appear later in this journal and remind us all just how special our soldiers are and of the privilege in leading them. We must also remember the cost of operations and the tragic loss of Sergeant Major Fisher and LCpl Wcbb has been felt by the whole regiment. Our thoughts remain with their families and with 3 MERCIAN as they manage the final stages of transition.
I am acutely aware of the impact of Army 2020 upon us as Mercians. The impending loss of our 3rd Battalion and many TA centres remains deeply painful; the remedy for which is
to conduct a fundamental reorganisation of The Mercian Regiment in order that the two remaining Regular Battalions are as strong as they can be. I am indebted to all those in the Planning Teams whose detailed work allows us to ensure our soldiers are looked after properly, that our heritage is taken forward and that The Mercian Regiment builds on all it has already achieved.
Whilst I have outlined the Regimental Vision elsewhere, I want to outline the priorities for 2014. Our reorganisation demands inspiring leadership if we are to meet the challenges presented and seize every opportunity to restore quality
of life to our soldiers and families. Accurate and timely communications must underpin the key decisions, and I am determined for us to do better in this respect; but I need
your support in doing so given that communications is a
two way process. Finally, I am immensely privileged to have been appointed as the Colonel of The Mercian Regiment and assure you of my unswerving commitment to you all.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE 3