Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) (abbreviated as WFR) was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. The regiment served as the county regiment for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.

The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot)
(WFR)
Cap badge of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment
Active1970-2007
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part ofPrince of Wales' Division
Garrison/HQ1st Battalion - London
Nickname(s)Woofers
Motto(s)Firm
MarchQuick - Young May Moon & The Royal Windsor
Mascot(s)Ram named Private Derby
EngagementsSee honours list
Commanders
Last Colonel-in-ChiefThe Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO
Colonel of
the Regiment		Colonel Jonathan Rupert Maunsell Hackett, CBE

History

The regiment was formed in 1970 through the amalgamation of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Sherwood Foresters.[1] The regiment was based at Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster and undertook a tour in Northern Ireland in 1972 during the Troubles. It moved to Berlin later that year and to Shackleton Barracks at Ballykelly in 1974 before returning to Meanee Barracks in Colchester in 1976. After a further tour in Northern Ireland in 1977 the regiment moved to Peninsula Barracks at Hemer in 1979.[1]

The regiment undertook another tour in Northern Ireland in 1982 before moving back to Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster in 1984 and relocating to Oakington Barracks in Cambridge in 1986 and to Lisanelly Barracks in Omagh in 1989.[1]

After a deployment to Cyprus in 1991, the regiment moved to Lucknow Barracks at Tidworth in 1993 from where elements of the regiment were deployed to Bosnia in 1996 and 1998.[1] The regiment undertook an operational tour in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick in 2004[1] and then moved to Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow as a public duties battalion in July 2005.[1]

In 2004, as a part of the reorganisation of the infantry, it was announced that the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment would be amalgamated with the Cheshire Regiment and the Staffordshire Regiment to form the new Mercian Regiment. In August 2007, the regiment became the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment.[2]

Soldiers from the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters on Guard Duty at Windsor Castle

Regimental ram

The regimental ram was known as Corporal Derby.[3] The ram was the 28th ram to act as mascot for the regiment and its predecessor regiments. The first ram was captured by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot at the Siege of Kotah in 1858.[3] Since 1912 successive Dukes of Devonshire have traditionally selected a Swaledale Ram from their Chatsworth Park flock and presented it to the regiment.[3] The ram had its own regimental number (28), was paid £3.75 per day, and drew his own rations.[3]

Former battalions

There were formerly three battalions:

  • 1st Battalion - Based in Omagh (became 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment)[4]
  • 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion - Newark-on-Trent (Disbanded)
  • 4th (Volunteer) Battalion - Based in Redditch

Alliances

References
  1. "Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  2. "In detail: army restructuring plans". BBC. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  3. "Woofers mascot, Private Derby, dies". Derby Telegraph. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  4. "The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) [UK]". 2007-12-18. Archived from the original on 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
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