Private Derby 1985


The Sherwood Foresters amalgamated with the Worcestershire Regiment in 1970 but the ram mascot of the old 95th was retained. The wearing of full dress had been abolished in line infantry regiments from the time of World War 1 but bands began to wear them from the 1970s onwards. A photo taken in 1979 shows two drummers from the regiment parading the ram in full dress tunics like the ones shown here, but wearing forage caps. The senior bandsman in that case was a lance corporal but wears no sash on his shoulder.

This photo taken in 1985 shows the senior bandsman as Ram Major with a green and gold sash of office on his left shoulder, displaying Queen Elizabeth's cypher and an embroidered ram's head. Now the two men are wearing the revived full dress blue cloth covered helmet. The tunics are plain, being scarlet with green collar, cuffs and shoulder straps. The drummers plaited cords are also green. The Ram, Private Derby, is caparisoned with a green jacket edged in red and gold and decorated with badges and battle honours. The regiment marches behind in khaki service dress.

From around this time the ram has been presented to the regiment by the Duke of Devonshire.


Regimental Mascots | Regimental details


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by Stephen Luscombe