Regiment’s Watchman Granted Freedom of the Borough

A unanimous vote across Tamworth Borough Council’s Chamber means the Staffordshire Regiment’s mascot Watchman has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Pritchard, proposed a motion to admit LCpl Watchman V – former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment – and his handler, to hold Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, which would then pass to successive mascots and handlers.

The role of Watchman is steeped in tradition, and the ever-popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot has been representing the serving men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire for more than 130 years.

Watchman is the traditional mascot of Staffordshire Regiments and continues to carry out numerous duties.  He was also part of the flag party of the Mercian Regiment, which met the Olympic Torch in the Castle Grounds last summer.

This honour also means Watchman will march through Tamworth with the Mercian Regiment, whenever it returns to the borough.  There will be a special ceremony to officially award Watchman and his handler the Freedom of the Borough later this year.

Watchman joins the Mercian Regiment, The Defence Medical Services and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie (A385) in holding the Freedom of the Borough.

Cllr Prichard said, “I was incredibly proud to propose the motion which saw Watchman and his handler receive the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.

“This restores the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth to Watchman, which was lost in 2007 when the Staffordshire Regiment was merged with several others to create the Mercian Regiment.”

Cllr Pritchard added, “Watchman is an iconic Staffordshire symbol which is an important tradition to a great many people.  Awarding Watchman the Freedom of the Borough, means he can take his rightful place with the Mercian Regiment when they march through our town.

“However it is not just Watchman who deserves this honour, it also his handler.  The two come as a pair and I am delighted to bestow this honour on his handler who deserves recognition for his hard work.  I would like to thank the current, former and future handlers for their selfless service to Tamworth and Staffordshire.”

In addition to Watchman and his handler being awarded the Freedom of the Borough, Cllr Simon Peaple put forward an amendment to the proposals to recognise members of the branches of armed forces associations and servicemen past and present, by also awarding them the honour.  This proposal will be discussed at a future meeting, set to take place next month.