Mercian Regiment Welcomes Baa-rilliant Mascot

The Mercian Regiment has welcomed its new mascot: a Swaledale ram who comes with a royal seal of approval. Private Derby XXXI (31st) was chosen by the Duke of Devonshire from his flock at Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, and he has reported for duty to his new base at RHQ Mercian, Lichfield. He is the latest in a long line of regimental mascots, with the first ram taken by soldiers of the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot during the Indian Mutiny Campaign in 1858.