The 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment in helmand. Wythenshaweborn soldier killed in afghanistan insurgent. The regiment has deployed on eight operational deployments since. Apr 14, 20 the mercian regiment is to be presented with new colours for the first time, the army has said. Highest number of military crosses awarded since second world. Corporal terry webster and lance corporal alan cochran killed in. Jul 10, 2009 a brief look back at the 2nd battalion of the mercian regiment s active service in afghanistan. The mercian regiment was formed on 1 september 2007 at tamworth castle in the presence of the colonel in chief, his royal highness the prince of wales, earl of chester, kg kt gcb om. The mercian regiment cheshire, worcesters and foresters, and staffords is an infantry regiment of the british army, which is recruited from five of the counties that formed the ancient kingdom of mercia. The north staffordshire regiment took part in one of the last colonial wars when, in 1919 afghanistan invaded british india. During the tour the mercians lost five soldiers killed, mainly to improvised explosive devises ied.
A total of 453 british soldiers did not live to see the formal end to britains year war in afghanistan on sunday, when the union jack was lowered for. Feb 16, 2008 living up to their motto stand firm, strike hard soldiers from the 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment, formerly the worcestershire and sherwood foresters, have been at the forefront of. Drummer lee rigby 2nd battalion the royal regiment of fusiliers attached to the regimental recruiting team in london. Drummer lee rigby or riggers to his friends was born in july 1987 in crumpsall, manchester. Mar 26, 20 a british soldier from 1st battalion the mercian regiment, which recruits heavily from greater manchester and cheshire, has died after being injured during an insurgent attack in afghanistan, the. They were an ordinary british county regiment lacking the outward glamour of the splendid indian cavalry or the sikhs, but with many indians fighting in the great war it was left to the north staffs to halt and reverse the attack. They are the most decorated regiment in the british army. The soldier was killed in an explosion in the nahre saraj district of helmand province. The infantry is the largest branch of the army around a quarter of its strength. A full interview with the father of pte robert laws, killed while serving in afghanistan. The mercian regiment later joined the troops and for. The regiment recruits from cheshire, wirral and manchester and this week transferred its 2nd battalion 2 mercian from northern ireland to dale barracks on the outskirts of the city as part of the army 2020 future structures plan. Ready to decisively engage the enemy in close quarter combat, mercians are highly skilled with sophisticated weapon systems ranging from the sa80 a2 rifle through to the warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle with its 30mm canon. During the next year it will be deployed on exercises, while operating in lithuania, cyprus, and canada.
Warrant officer class 2 ian fisher killed in afghanistan. His family have been told, the ministry of defence said. For some this is their first tour of duty while others have seen action in iraq and afghanistan. The band of the mercian regiment have been part of military tattoos, lead parades, exercised the freedom of towns, played lots of new music, been part of the regimental pilgrimage, performed indoor concerts in spectacular surroundings, and outdoors on bandstands and in parks, have worked with a vast variety of other bands and groups, welcomed. Cheshire, derbyshire, nottinghamshire, staffordshire and worcestershire.
A role in the port sunlight volunteers march theatre in the quarter actors become lord lever, general mackinnon, soldiers and enlistment officers for first world war reenactment. Dave, yes, quite a few brummies in 2 mercian too, so no dramas. Homefront the mercian regiment s second battalion served four gruelling tours of duty in helmand province. The regiment originally had three regular army battalions and one army reserve battalion, though the 3rd battalion was disbanded as part of the restructuring of the british army. Alongside returning from afghanistan, the regiment has deployed on exercise to cyprus, lithuania, uganda, croatia, kenya, canada and more. Mk 7 combat helmet worn by cpl mark ward, mercian regiment, in afghanistan during operation herrick 12 between 1 apr and 30 sep 2010. Afghanistan op herrick 14 3 commando brigade will be removed from the orbat and absorbed into the rest of the mercian regiment on completion of op herrick 19 and not before october 2014. Hundreds of soldiers from the east midlands largest army regiment have returned from afghanistan. Being in belfast has also been great for the lads singlies having a great time with the irish ladies, but birmingham international quicker to get to for 10 quid than from most other base areas for significantly more on petrol. The 1st battalion has deployed on three operational tours since its formation in 2007, one to iraq and two to afghanistan. All association members and standards and members of the regimental family are invited to attend. It was the second time the battalion has served in afghanistan since 2006. The 3rd battalion the mercian regiment staffords will be.
Jul 31, 2009 video and audio showing the mercian regiment in action in afghanistan. In 2001, the british army was deployed to afghanistan to fight the taliban and al qaeda. If youre interested in a career or want to find out more go to our facebook page or army website. Living up to their motto stand firm, strike hard soldiers from the 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment, formerly the worcestershire and sherwood foresters, have. A british soldier from the 1st battalion the mercian regiment has been killed in an explosion in afghanistan. Jul 12, 2010 2 mercian served in helmand, afghanistan, for six months from april to october 2009 under the command of 19 light brigade. He joined the 1st battalion the mercian regiment cheshire in 2008 and served in the falkland islands and completed a number of arduous exercises before deploying to afghanistan with the battalion. Michael lockett being decorated with the military cross by the queen at buckingham palace, for services in afghanistan.
Colour sergeant newman volunteered to deploy to afghanistan and had previously served with 1st battalion, the worcestershire and sherwood foresters regiment now 2nd battalion the mercian regiment. British soldier from mercian regiment killed in afghanistan. Wythenshaweborn soldier killed in afghanistan insurgent attack lance corporal jamie webb, from 1st battalion the mercian regiment, died from wounds sustained during an attack on his patrol base. One of his men, sgt major ian fisher, was killed by a suicide bomber. Composed of two regular and one reserve battalion, the mercian regiment weaves the strength and agility of the light role, and the devastating power and. The regiment was created in 2007 through the merger of three single battalion regiments and the. Written by chris nineham published in opinion the coffin of warrant officer ian fisher, from the 3rd battalion, the mercian regiment, who died in a suicide blast in afghanistan, is carried from lichfield cathedral in staffordshire. Soldiers from 2 mercian were at the forefront of the action during their six months in afghanistan. Liam is due to fight his next match on february 14 at the bescot stadium, walsall fc. The battalion has deployed on three operational tours to afghanistan. In addition, each regular battalion has two regimental days of its own for each, post cardwell reforms 1881, antecedent regiment. A congregation of nearly 2,000 people, including prince harry, the prime minister, bereaved families, veterans and. This is the official facebook page for the band of the mercian regiment, an army reserve forces band of the british army, based in. The mercian regiment was formed in 2007 and brought together the 22nd cheshire regiment, the.
They replaced 3 commando brigade royal marines as the lead formation of uk forces in afghanistan. Frontier assault tells the story of the third angloafghan war through the eyes of the men who fought it. Rifleman remand kulung, the british soldier from 1st battalion the mercian regiment, who died in hospital after suffering injuries in a helicopter crash in afghanistan. His alleged victim went to police in kingston, ontario, the day after the event to commemorate canadian efforts at the battle of vimy ridge during world war one. Mercian regiment gold glider stafford knot staffor. Mercian soldiers talk about a career in the mercian regiment. Mercian soldiers ready to help train afghan security forces. On march 16th 1812 a british force some 15,000 strong with a battering train of 52 guns reached badajoz, a strongly fortified spanish town near the frontier with portugal. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The mercian regiment recruits and is manned by soldiers from the midlands and cheshire. Corporal terry webster of 1st battalion the mercian regiment. The 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment, is back in their belfast barracks, after a sixmonth tour in afghanistan. More than 100 soldiers from the mercian regiment are to be deployed to afghanistan to join an operation training local security forces. Soldiers from the mercian regiment are celebrating their move home to chester.
They defeated the enemy vanguard in a tenacious mountain assault in the khyber pass. Genuine issue british army mercianyorks khaki beret. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading frontline. The reserve west midlands regiment, with elements of the kings and cheshire regiment and the east of england regiment formed the 4th battalion, mercian regiment. The 45yearold led 3rd battalion the mercian regiment in afghanistan in 2014. Mercian regiment return from tour of afghanistan 26 april 2012 last updated. Ca condolences thread lcpl ivano violino, 20 field squadron, 36 engineer regiment, royal engineers, killed in an explosion. With the return of b company, the last of their men in afghanistan, the 1st battalion, the mercian regiment cheshire breathes a collective. This scarce publication is a collection of colour photographs commissioned to capture the first battalion, the royal regiment of fusiliers deployment on operation herrick 18 in central helmand afghanistan. The staffordshire regiment, now 3rd battalion the mercian regiment staffords in 2014, the changes under the 2020 defence reveiw saw the mercian regiment move from three regular battalions to two. Aug 17, 20 the first of two companies from the 3rd battalion mercian regiment 3mercian formerly the staffords flew out to the countrys troubletorn helmand province earlier this week. Tributes to british soldier killed in afghanistan telegraph. We formed on 1st september 2007 through the amalgamation of three existing regiments.
Mercian regiment heavy knit scarf one size 165 x 20cmcomes with regiment logo embroidered on. It saw nine men killed in action, 17 suffer serious battle casualties including one double amputee and a further 37 were returned to the uk. Dec 04, 2007 the 2nd battalion the mercian regiment are holding a post afghanistan memorial service in westminster abbey on monday 10 december 2007. He was flown to hospital for treatment but died of. Army engineers from close support kandak, 3rd brigade, afghan national army and 21 regiment, royal engineers, are undertaking a programme of infrastructure works at patrol base rahim, in nahre saraj, as partnered engineering teams. Nearly 3,000 soldiers from 19 light brigade, including the 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment, started deploying to helmand province, afghanistan, for a sixmonth tour. Csgt phillip newman, 4th battalion, the mercian regiment and pte brian tunnicliffe, 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment worcesters and foresters, killed in a vehicle accident. After, they led the british counterattack into afghanistan. Soldiers from 2nd battalion the mercian regiment have been training on exercise kabul dawn ahead of their shortterm deployment to afghanistan later this year.
The battalion has only this last week taken over as one of the resident infantry battalions in cyprus, where its soldiers are held at high readiness to move anywhere in the world if. The faces of the 453 britons killed in afghanistan in one. Aug 05, 2016 the 45yearold led 3rd battalion the mercian regiment in afghanistan in 2014. Members of the army, raf, royal marines and special forces have lost their lives in the fight against the taliban. Media in category mercian regiment the following 10 files are in this category, out of 10 total. Brigadier tim radford, who became commander task force helmand said. The uks military role in afghanistan since 2001 has brought with it a heavy human toll. The north staffordshire regiment was one of the first units dispatched to halt the afghan advance. East midlands today met soldiers preparing for their. Three regular battalions and one territorial, each with more than 300 years of loyal and professional service to the crown, were merged to form the mercian regiment.
Nov 05, 20 it is with great sadness that the ministry of defence must confirm that warrant officer class 2 ian fisher from 3rd battalion the mercian regiment was killed in action in helmand province. This formation saw 3 regiments, each with more than 300 years loyal and professional service to the crown, merge into the infantrys newest regiment. His alleged victim went to police in kingston, ontario, the day after the event to commemorate canadian efforts at. The blast took place while the soldier was on security patrol. The mercian regiment 2 mercian train for afghanistan. Bbc news mercian regiment return from tour of afghanistan. Courts former mercian regiment soldier matthew linton hurled abuse outside blacon curry house theatre in the quarter. Soldiers from the afghan and british armies are conducting their first ever partnered engineering task.
The mercian regiment undertake a 16 hour foot patrol to clear ieds improvised explosive devices around their base. Brave soldiers from a midland regiment are preparing for a tour of afghanistan. The mercian regiment is recruiting now, offering a unique range of regular and reservist roles, and excellent career progression for soldiers and officers. War in afghanistan kindle edition by stone, steve, crossjones, chantele. Soldier from the mercian regiment killed by improvised explosive device, bringing british death toll in afghanistan to 196 press association sun 9 aug 2009 03. Many infanteers will also spend time serving away from regimental duty, including as instructors at the school of infantry and in the wider army. The mercian regiment cheshire, worcesters and foresters, and staffords since 2007 the regiment has spent almost four years in afghanistan, completing seven tours. Our men and women serve in one of 18 regiments, which together have 33 regular battalions and 16 reserve battalions. Army rumour service book of remembrance, afghanistan. Oct 25, 2007 it marked a hairy end to what has been an unremitting six months in afghanistan for the 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment, until a few months ago known as the worcestershire and sherwood foresters. Known as the heart of englands infantry, it was formed on 1 september 2007 by the amalgamation of three existing regiments.
The mercian regiment has its own regimental day, 1 september 2007, which has been selected because it marks the formation of the regiment. Feb 18, 2011 the 3rd battalion the mercian regiment staffords will be deploying to afghanistan. Scott haywood of 2nd cavalry regiment, right, royal netherlands army capt. Mercian regiment soldiers on army life in afghanistan bbc news. Mercian regiment news, views, gossip, pictures, video. The 2nd battalion, the mercian regiment in helmand province. When the opportunity to deploy early to afghanistan arose he was the first to. Jun 12, 2010 british soldier from mercian regiment killed in afghanistan a british soldier from the 1st battalion the mercian regiment has been killed in an explosion in afghanistan. Luxurious, heavy weight knitted scarf in classic style. Tributes flow for true hero soldier killed in afghanistan bomb blast.
British soldier killed in afghanistan uk news the guardian. The mercian regiment cheshire, worcesters and foresters, and staffords is an infantry regiment of the british army, which is recruited from the five counties that formed the ancient kingdom of mercia. Ben kemper, left, of 42nd mechanized battalion, th mechanized brigade, and a british soldier of 1st battalion, mercian regiment discuss a rehearsal brief while conducting a combat arms rehearsal during exercise allied spirit at the joint multinational readiness center in hohenfels, germany. The mercian regiment is the heart of englands infantry, recruiting from the five counties which formed the ancient kingdom of mercia. Troops from mercian battalion on final tour of afghanistan. Based in lichfield, the regimental headquarters of the mercian regiment administrates the regiment and acts as a home headquarters for the wider mercian regimental family.
Lance corporal ryder from 3rd battalion the mercian regiment 3 mercian blogs once more. The mercian infantryman is at the heart of the action, providing the fighting element of the british armys forces. Afghanistan broke me babyfaced exgunner killed taliban. Colour sergeant martyn horton, lance corporal david. Bbc hereford and worcester bbc hereford and worcester. Davies, of newport, gwent, commanded 3rd battalion the mercian regiment on a gruelling ninemonth tour of afghanistan in 2014. Lance corporal jamie webb, of 1st battalion the mercian regiment cheshire, died in an isaf hospital in afghanistan on 26 march 20 from wounds. These players are highly trained and disciplined lightrole infantry warriors catered toward a multitude of combat scenarios. The mercian regiment is comprised of former county regiments and their past antecedent regiments.
A brief look back at the 2nd battalion of the mercian regiment s active service in afghanistan. Soldier killed in afghanistan had been awarded military. Ben kemper, left, of 42nd mechanized battalion, th mechanized brigade, and a british soldier of 1st battalion, mercian regiment discuss a rehearsal brief while conducting a combat arms rehearsal during exercise allied spirit at the joint multinational readiness center in hohenfels, germany, jan. Talented and popular soldier who fought in afghanistan. They lost six men and saw another 25 flown home suffering serious injuries. Genuine latest british army issue mercianyorks mercian regiment yorkshire regiment khaki wool beret.
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