Mercian Regiment Colonel to Meet Local MPs

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, together with other local Conservative MPs, is to meet the Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, Major General A. R. D. Sharpe OBE, to discuss the future of the regiment.

Of particular concern is the treatment of the 3rd Battalion (the Staffords) following its withdrawal from the Order of Battle.

In his letter, Maj Gen Sharpe outlined his commitment to the Regiment and emphasised his shared concerns of the heritage of the Mercians.  He said he wanted to preserve the heritage but make sure the Regiment is on strong footing for future deployments.

The meeting, which will be on the 5th December, will be between MPs from the entire recruiting area of the Mercian Regiment:  Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire; and Maj Gen Sharpe and members of his senior staff.  News has already become public that the Staffords’ name will not disappear entirely from the regimental roll.

MP for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, said, “This is promising news for Tamworth’s local regiment.  Maj Gen Sharpe is clearly keen to preserve the past of the Staffords and safeguard the future of the entire Regiment.  I look forward to our meeting so we can discuss in person my concerns about the future of the names, traditions and values of the Staffords.

“It is important for our town to have a local regiment.  Tamworth will always readily welcome all personnel from the Mercians.  We are also pleased to learn that the name of the Staffords should be preserved in the new regiment, but we will want to press the general for more information about his plans for the redeployment of personnel.”

Click here to read the copies of the correspondence between Maj Gen Sharpe and Christopher Pincher MP