Victory! ... Staffords' name saved as Mercian Regiment changes official title
THE Staffords’ historic name has been saved – thanks to The Sentinel’s readers.
More than 17,000 of you signed the petition to ensure the Staffords’ centuries-old traditions would not be lost in an Army restructuring.
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Champagne moment: Veterans Fred Williams and Ray Kimberley celebrate the Staffords victory
And now The Mercian Regiment has announced that it will incorporate the Staffords’ name into its official title, following the Army 2020 reorganisation.
The regiment will become The Mercian Regiment (Cheshires, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords).
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Veteran Ron Bradeley, who helped deliver the petitions to 10 Downing Street, welcomed the news.
The 83-year-old, of Keele Road, Newcastle, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that the Staffords’ name will be retained. I didn’t think we’d be able to save the battalion, but I always believed we should save the Staffords’ name.
“It’s all about pride – pride in your county and pride in your regiment. Everyone in Staffordshire always wanted to join the Staffordshire Regiment.”
The Government announced in July that 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) would be disbanded as part of plans to reduce the Regular Army by 20,000.
This prompted The Sentinel to launch its campaign to Save the Staffords.
Comments
by PMilton
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 11:13AM
“My Grandad was in the North Staffords and was at the Somme, I'm so glad the Staffords won their campaign, for his memory and for others like him.”
by squidward40
Monday, November 12 2012, 3:42AM
“Thank God for that
B. Beckett
Australia”
by Exserviceman
Saturday, November 10 2012, 8:45PM
“When I was thinking of joining the army I never really thought past joning the North Staffords but I'd no sooner joined than they amalgamated with that lot from down South (:-). Unfortunately for medical reasons I had to transfer so served the next 15 years in the REME . I have never however not considered myself a Stafford and am well pleased that at least the name has been saved. I was annoyed to read that several Scottish regiments were to be retained , not because they were Scottish but because they were junior to The South Staffords (38th/80th) and in some cases junior to the North Staffords (64th/98th)”
by batchacremike
Saturday, November 10 2012, 5:53PM
“Veteran Ron Bradeley is says everyone from Staffordshire wanted to join the Staffords and I don't disagree with him about pride in your regiment. However it depends how far you want to go back because not too long ago everyone from Stoke would have joined the North Staffordshire Regiment while those from the Black Country would have joined the South Staffordshire Regiment. Nothing is forever.”
by PeterPotter
Saturday, November 10 2012, 5:23PM
“Well done and well deserved. Congratulations to all !
A salute to each and every veteran !!”
by pensioner46
Saturday, November 10 2012, 5:11PM
“Remember Them
Wear your poppy wear it with pride
Remember those who fought and died
They heeded the call and went to war
For many brave people life was no more
Just two minutes does not seem suffice
To thank them for there sacrifice,
Remember Them
Lets not forget the four young soldiers from our City who have been killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars one of these was from the Staffords
Stephen Allbut
Barry Buxton
Zak Cusack
Gareth Bellingham”
by arthurheath1
Saturday, November 10 2012, 4:57PM
“Yes, well worth the effort.”
by pensioner46
Saturday, November 10 2012, 3:33PM
“Well done to all who campaigned to keep the name”