number of casualties in an ambush. Calmly, swiftly and efficiently, Muckle organised the evacuation of the casualties and the clearing and securing of a helicopter landing site. No sooner had he achieved this than the Company Headquarters was itself struck by a massive IED blast. Multiple casualties were sustained, both dead and wounded. Muckle himself had been caught in the blast and, despite suffering severe effects from the explosion, he proceeded to coordinate the evacuation of the dead and wounded. Muckle’s firm grip was critical in preventing the situation becoming worse and, by doing so, he ensured that the Company continued to function and fight. It was only on the third and final evacuation flight that Muckle was finally evacuated himself, very much against his own wishes. A few days later, as soon as he had recovered sufficiently, but probably not enough, Muckle insisted that he return to his Company. Later in the operation, whilst commanding a relief convoy, one of the vehicles under Muckle’s command was stuck by an IED, fatally injuring another soldier. Muckle again took control of the situation and his leadership was critical in controlling the broader situation and casualty evacuation. Muckle demonstrated uncommon calm, determination and control under the most testing of conditions, providing a constant source of reassurance for his troops and contributing directly to the saving of lives and the success of the operation.
QCVS Capt Michael James Brigham aged 24
Heavy Weapons Company of 1/3/205 Kandak Afghan National Army (ANA). Brigham emerged as a fine officer mentor displaying professionalism, mental and physical robustness and leadership of the highest standard on a daily basis.
Brigham emphasised particularly to the ANA the benefits of influence and non-kinetic effects and, as such, he has been a driving force behind the genuine civil-military improvements taking place in Basharan. Without formal training, he grasped the essentials of the Dari language and used it to his team’s advantage. On operations and in social interaction with Afghan Warriors, he has earned their respect and admiration in equal measure. Brigham immersed himself in Afghan culture in a way that was entirely respectful and without ever forgetting why he was there or allowing his standards as a British Army Officer to slip.
Given his relative inexperience, his sublime mentorship, his bravery, his selfless dedication to the Afghan Warriors and his inspirational leadership were exemplary.
JCC Capt D J S Bailey Warrant Officer Class 2 M D Chatterley LCpl D J Gray Sgt S J J Laurie Lt J P Vause
New Year’s Honours
Congratulations to Mr W A Bromley- Davenport, HM Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and former Hon Col 3 CHESHIRE and former Hon Col KCR, on the award of the KCVO. Congratulations, also, to Lt Col Mark Rusby on the award of the OBE and to Maj Mark Ellwood on the award of the MBE.
Queen’s Birthday Honours
Congratulations to Mr M A T Trevor- Barnston JP DL on the award of the MBE. Congratulations, also, to Brig J P S Donnelly OBE on the award of the CBE and to Maj S Casey on the award of the MBE.
DHL Droitwich is named The Midlands’ Friend of the Forces
DHL Droitwich, which “adopted” AVA Platoon 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment during their recent tour in Afghanistan, has been recognised in The Royal British Legion’s Friends of The Forces Awards. They were given the prestigious Corporate Award for the Midlands region for the exceptional support which they continue to give to the British Armed Forces.
Captain Brigham led his Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Nad- e-Ali and Basharan, both highly dangerous and kinetic operating areas in Helmand Province in Jun 09. His team mentored the
The Mercian Eagle
DHL Droitwich kept AVA Platoon supplied with monthly goodie boxes which included DVD players and iPods. Letters were also exchanged and strong friendships forged between DHL personnel and those whom they were supporting. DHL Droitwich also
DHL Droitwich and 2 MERCIAN soldiers
raised money to create a fund for any of the Platoon who may have come home injured and it was agreed that any surplus money would be handed over to the Worcestershire Royal British Legion County Welfare Fund to be used for the continued support of the Service and ex-Service community. On their return, DHL Droitwich treated the Platoon to a welcome home evening at which Capt Jack Bellfield of AVA Platoon handed a cheque for £5055.06 to The Royal British Legion. Subsequently, a further sum of £2,700 was received from the DHL “Match it” Fund.
General Election 2010
Congratulations on their success in this year’s General Election to our two regimental Members of Parliament: Col Patrick Mercer, late The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, was re-elected as Conservative MP for Newark and Retford with a majority of 16,152 and 53.86% of the votes cast; Col Bob Stewart, late The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, was elected as Conservative MP for Beckenham with a majority of 17,784 with 57.87% of the votes cast. We wish them all success in their parliamentary careers and in representing their constituents but we hope that they will not forget the regiments into which they were commissioned and in which they served for so many years and that they will give to The Mercian Regiment their full support should the need arise.
Col Patrick Mercer OBE
Born in 1956, Patrick Mercer is the son of a former officer in The Sherwood Foresters who became an Anglican clergyman: his last post was as Bishop of Exeter. Patrick has moved back to his home town of Newark where he now lives with wife Caitriona and son Rupert. Educated at the King’s School, Chester, Oxford University and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he has a degree in history: to date, he has had two books published. From Sandhurst, he was commissioned into The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Most of his service was in Northern Ireland although he served also in Germany, Canada, Uganda and Brunei and several months in the
October 2010 91
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164