Foreword
by The Colonel of The Regiment Stand Firm and Strike Hard!
Colonel of the Regiment Brigadier A R D Sharpe OBE
The last twelve months have been a full and demanding time for the Regiment, with our attention shifting from the exemplary performance on operations of the 2nd Battalion last year to the Afghan fight that the 1st Battalion has had this year. I will not pre-empt the reports contained later in this edition, except to say this: the 1st Battalion has fought magnificently this year and has been at the front of the action across its brigade; the casualties have been heavy (over 90), with 12 losing their lives; the families and the Rear Operations Group have closed ranks with great strength, supporting each other, the wounded and the bereaved; and the Army has seen, once again, what the fighting men of the Mercian Regiment can do. In my visits to the 2nd and 3rd Battalions I have been hugely impressed with the sense of purpose that has focused them on their own tours next year, and the 4th Battalion has continued to show itself not only to be a stalwart contributor to operations but also our presence, Regimental face, and exemplary proponent throughout the counties of Mercia. In all the battalions, and from those deployed across the wider Army, I detect a real Regimental pride, growing in strength. The buff stable belt or pullover (visible at 100 yards!) is in evidence in key jobs in HQ Land, in PJHQ, in the MoD, at Sandhurst, Warminster, Catterick, and at Brecon, and (as I see daily) across the Defence Academy. You, all of you, have made a name for yourselves as soldiers with a quiet modesty, an easy sense of humour and, above all else, a hard and un-rivalled professional edge, forged and tempered in battle, that is the envy of the Infantry.
Our Colonel in Chief has, as ever, been a great supporter in all that we have done this year. The 4th Battalion provided the first TA company to march as a unit up the Mall to Clarence House to receive their Herrick medals last November, and the 2nd Battalion were welcomed in great style to Sandringham for their medal
parade, including the presentation of Elizabeth Crosses to the families of the fallen. The Colonel in Chief also found the time to visit the 1st Battalion twice before they deployed, enjoying, on the second visit, a pre- deployment families day and returning the Battalion’s hospitality with a dinner on the Royal Train. He tried to get to the 3rd Battalion too, but even Royalty can be defeated by the weather! His Royal Highness has been insistent on being kept closely informed of all the twists and turns of regimental life, and of the details of operations in Afghanistan in particular. We have all noted, and been moved and strengthened by, his gesture of solidarity with us by wearing his regimental tie often – and not least, along with our cap-badge in his lapel, when casualties have been taken.
Finally, I would like to say how encouraged I have been by the coming together of the Regimental Associations alongside the MRA at so many events: at the Field of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey, at Crich and at Chester Cathedral – it has been great to see the old cap-badges and the buff, green and yellow standards mingling with the blue of the Mercian Volunteers and the new buff standard of the MRA at these regimental events. It has also been deeply moving to see the strength of support from all those, past and present, who have stood in the rain, the hail and the sunshine to show their support to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice this year. As we see the 1st Battalion safe home, and wish the 2nd and 3rd Battalions God speed for next year, I encourage you to read through this journal understanding that you are seeing the best of today’s Army: even the most casual of skims through this edition of The Mercian Eagle will reveal a Regiment that is as busy as any have ever been, focused on fighting operations, professionally accomplished, full of life, and rightly proud of its achievements.
Rugby 27 Pte Tom Snooks and Brig Andrew Sharpe after playing Rugby for the Army in the memorial match in Warrington for Pte Tom
Sephton of the 1st Battalion, who died of the wounds he received in Afghanistan. The Army won 32-30 and two records were set, with Pte Snooks being the youngest ever to play for the Army (at 17) and Brig Sharpe being the oldest (at 50)!
The Mercian Eagle October 2010 5
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