The Mercian infanteer is at the heart of the action, providing the fighting element of the British Army's forces.
Ready to decisively engage the enemy in close quarter combat, Mercians are highly skilled with sophisticated weapon systems ranging from the SA80 A3 rifle through to the Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle with its 30mm cannon.
Professional, courageous and fiercely proud of our regiment, Mercians are highly regarded throughout the British Army and we are regularly called upon for operations both in peacetime and during armed conflict.
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Active from
1 September 2007
Role
Infantry
Specialism
Armoured Infantry
- Operation Telic 11 (Iraq)
- Operation Herrick 6, 10, 12, 14, 15 & 17 (Afghanistan)
- Operation Orbital (Ukraine)
- Operation Cabrit 8 & 16 (Estonia)
- Operation Tosca (Cyprus)
- Operation Shader (Iraq)
- Operation Trenton (South Sudan)
- Operation Firic (Falkland Islands)
- Operation Toral (Afghanistan)
- Operation Serval (Mali)
Private Derby is the Regimental Mascot of The Mercian Regiment. He is one of a small handful of official Mascots in the British Army. He is a Swaledale ram, presented to the regiment traditionally by His Grace, The Duke of Devonshire from his flock at Chatsworth House.
Private Derby's job is to represent The Mercian Regiment around the country, and when he's not on a job he lives in a purpose built pen behind the Regimental Headquarters in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
To find out more about joining the Mercian Regiment, click the link below.
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Through the years
Historically recruited from the five counties that formed the ancient kingdom of Mercia and known as The Heart of England’s Infantry, the regiment was formed on 1st September 2007. The Mercian Regiment has deployed on more than fifteen operational tours since its formation, making it one of the most operationally experienced.
- 1689 - Formation of The Duke of Norfolk's Regiment of Foot
- 1751 - Became 22nd Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 22nd The Cheshire Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Became The Cheshire Regiment
- 2007 - Amalgamated to create The Mercian Regiment
- 1823 - Formation of 95th Regiment of Foot
- 1825 - Became 95th Derbyshire Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment)
- 1902 - Became The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
- 1970 - Amalgamated to create The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th / 45th Foot)
- 2007 - Amalgamated to create The Mercian Regiment
- 1741 - Formation of Colonel Houghton's Regiment of Foot
- 1751 - Became 45th Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 45th (1st Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot
- 1866 - Became 45th (Nottinghamshire Regiment) Sherwood Foresters
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment)
- 1902 - Became The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
- 1970 - Amalgamated to create The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th / 45th Foot)
- 2007 - Amalgamated to create The Mercian Regiment
- 1705 - Formation of Luke Lillingston's Regiment of Foot
- 1751 - Became 38th Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The South Staffordshire Regiment
- 1793 - Formation of 80th Regiment of Foot
- 1793 - Became 80th (Staffordshire Volunteers) Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The South Staffordshire Regiment
- 1756 - Formation of 2nd Battalion 11th Regiment of Foot
- 1758 - Became 64th Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 64th (2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot
- 1881- Amalgamated to create The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)
- 1824 - Formation of 98th Regiment of Foot
- 1876 - Became 98th (The Princes of Wales) Foot
- 1881- Amalgamated to create The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)
- 1959 - Amalgamated to create The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's)
- 2007 - Amalgamated to create The Mercian Regiment
- 1694 - Formation of Colonel Farrington's Regiment of Foot
- 1751 - Became 29th Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The Worcestershire Regiment
- 1701 - Formation of Viscount Charlemont's Regiment of Foot
- 1751 - Became 36th Regiment of Foot
- 1782 - Became 36th Herefordshire Regiment of Foot
- 1881 - Amalgamated to create The Worcestershire Regiment
- 1970 - Amalgamated to create The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th / 45th Foot)
- 2007 - Amalgamated to create The Mercian Regiment
Explore our equipment
Used in the reconnaissance role to find and mark targets to destroy. Equipped with their own anti-armour weapons, they can also pack a punch.
They are designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres.
The rifle fires a 7.62mm round and has enhanced accuracy of engagement during longer-range firefights.
High explosive, smoke and illuminating rounds to a maximum range of 5650m.
The general purpose machine gun (GPMG) can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire role.
The Javelin anti-tank weapon and the Next-generation light anti-tank weapon.
Locations
When not deployed 1 MERCIAN are based in Bulford, Wiltshire, and 4 MERCIAN are based in various locations throughout the Midlands.
Wolseley House, Wolseley Cl, Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, WV10 9QR
View in mapsStanney Ln, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9AH
View in mapsThe Shrubbery, Birmingham Rd, Kidderminster, DY10 2BY
View in mapsBath St, Mansfield, NG18 1BA
View in mapsHucknall Lane, Nottingham, NG6 8AQ
View in mapsGreek Street, Stockport, SK3 8AD
View in mapsBucknall Rd, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6AB
View in mapsUbique Barracks, Peel House Ln, Widnes, WA8 6TH
View in mapsHeath Avenue, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 9TJ
View in maps