Page 6 - Mercian Eagle 2017

Pte Derby
2017 has once again been a very busy period
for myself and the Ram orderly but unfortunately once again tainted with sadness. We started our year off with a trip to the Sixways Stadium home of Worcester Warriors as well as supporting Derby County FC marching the Rams out. This turned out to be a very successful period for us due to the fact out of six games we attended the Rams went on to win four of the games, drawing two, with fans saying we were bringing them good luck in attending.
Along came April and we made our usual trip
to Nottingham castle to mark Badajoz Day with the raising of the scarlet jacket up the flagpole in memory of the action of Lt MacPherson at the battle of Badajoz. May saw us in a particularly busy period in which we moved to London to assist 1 MERCIAN, C company with public duties. This saw Pte Derby leading the Regiment out onto the Buckingham palace forecourt, which was a very proud moment for myself and the Ram orderly. During our time in London we were invited along to Clarence House along with members of C Company to Meet HRH and the Colonel in chief of the Regiment Prince Charles. June saw Pte Derby once again making the long trip to London to lead C Company in a changeover at Windsor Castle and visit the Company during their time at Tower of London.
At the end of June Derby once again visited The Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy with the rest of the RST which has now become a firm date in our diary and one we are proud to support. In July, we attended the Crich Memorial Service which happens every year on the first Sunday of the month, joining the rest of the Regimental family on a pilgrimage to honour the fallen from the Mercian Regiment and our forebears. Unfortunately during the month of July Pte Derby the 31st seemed to become quite ill requiring us to monitor his health closely. In August and due to the high importance
of the occasion Derby made his final trip to London to do the final parade of C Company’s public duties roll, but it all seemed too much for him and he had to pull up and move to one side to let the Company continue with the parade.
During August Derby’s health was closely monitored by our civilian and military vet, and after a long discussion, with Derby’s health deteriorating again, Pte Derby the 31st was put to sleep on a poignant day. The 1st September 2017, the 10th anniversary of the Mercian Regiment.
As sad as it is, life at the RST had to go on and in December myself the, Regimental Adjutant,
the military vet and the Ram Orderly went to Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, to pick a new Derby out of three the Duke of Devonshire had chosen. We picked the best looking with all the best features, with him becoming Pte Derby The 32nd. We also said goodbye to the Ram orderly Pte Stuart Mclean moving on to pastures new with a transfer to the RLC and I would personally like to thank him for all his hard work during his 3 years on the RST. We welcome the new Ram orderly Pte Lee Bradbury. We are now looking forward to training Pte Derby the 32nd and to see what 2018 holds in store for us!
Stand Firm Strike Hard.
Pte Derby XXXII at Chatsworth when he was formally presented to the regiment by the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire
Pte Derby XXXI on parade at Buckingham Palace
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