The Bowyers' affiliated Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment, part of the Prince of Wales' Division, is the Heart of England's Infantry, recruiting from the five counties which formed the ancient Kingdom of Mercia: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. It also covers the Black Country and the Wirral.
The Regiment was formed on 1st September 2007 through the amalgamation of three pre-existing distinguished Regiments, namely the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and the Staffordshire Regiment. It has deployed on eight operational deployments since its formation, including several tours of Afghanistan, making it one of the most operationally experienced regiments in the British Army, as well as being one of the most highly decorated. The Regiment works and fights as a proud, close-knit family and lives true to its motto 'Stand Firm, Strike Hard'. Through it, the Regiment delivers success on operations around the world. Professional, determined and fierce, Mercian soldiers are renowned for their professionalism and courage when deployed and its reputation marks it out as one of the most effective and modern Infantry units in the British Army.
The Regiment is formed of three distinct battalions:
1 MERCIAN
The 1st Battalion is an armoured infantry battalion, part of the 1 Mechanized Brigade, based at Bulford on Salisbury Plain. The Battalion has deployed on three operational tours since its formation in 2007, one to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.
2 MERCIAN
The 2nd Battalion is a light infantry battalion, part of 42 Infantry Brigade, based in Chester. The Battalion has deployed on three operational tours to Afghanistan and a UN peacekeeping mission to Cyprus.
4 MERCIAN
The 4th Battalion is the Regiment's Army Reserve light role infantry battalion. The Battalion has five rifle companies and a HQ Company, with the Battalion's HQ based in Wolverhampton.
'Stand Firm, Strike Hard'
