Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment ( 29th / 45th Foot ) was an infantry regiment of the British Army , part of the Prince of Wales ' Division . It was formed in 1970 through the amalgamation of two other regiments : The regiment served as the county regiment of the following counties : In 2004 , as part of the restructuring of the infantry , it was announced that the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters would be amalgamated with the 22nd ( Cheshire ) Regiment and the Staffordshire Regiment to form the new Mercian Regiment . In July 2005 , the 1st Battalion moved to Cavalry Barracks , Hounslow as a public duties battalion , where it , amongst other duties , provided the Queen ' s Guard . In August 2007 , the regiment was renamed as the 2nd Battalion , Mercian Regiment ( Worcesters and Foresters ) , before moving to Northern Ireland in the light infantry role in 2008 . Private Derby . The 95th Derbyshire Regiment were , since 1858 , famous for their Regimental Mascot , a Ram . He was and still is known as " Private DERBY " and has been held on the official strength of the regiment since that time . He has his own individual system of numbering ( beginning with No1 to the present 28th ) and documentation . In addition he is on the ration strength and draws his rations like any other soldier , albeit he tends to favour a much different diet . The first Private Derby was acquired in 1858 by the 95th ( Derbyshire ) Regiment of Foot at the siege and capture of Kotah during the Indian Mutiny Campaign of 1857 - 1858 . The Commanding Officer whilst on one of his forays within the town , noticed a fine fighting ram tethered in a temple yard . He directed Private Sullivan of Number 1 Company to take the ram into his possession . We are not told what were the intentions of the Commanding Officer in taking the ram , but if it were with the anticipation of a sound mutton dinner , then he must have gone hungry , for the ram was not slaughtered . Since that time there has followed a succession of fine rams , each of which has inherited the official title of " PRIVATE DERBY " followed by his successive number . The earliest replacement Rams were presented to the regiment in which ever part of the world they were serving in at the time . However , since 1912 it has become the tradition for the Duke of Devonshire to select a Swaledale Ram from his Chatsworth Park flock and present it to the regiment . It is a tradition the Duke is proud to hold , in recognition of the close association between the regiment and the Dukes of Devonshire . However , as with most things , there have been odd departures from tradition and in 1924 , DERBY XIV was presented to the regiment by His Highness Sir Umeo Singh Bahador GCB GLSI GCIE The Mohorac of Kotah . When on parade " Private Derby " wears a coat of scarlet with Lincoln green and gold facings , the whole emblazoned with the regiment ' s main battle honours . Also on his coat is a replica of his India Mutiny Medal , in addition he now wears the General Service Medal 1962 with Clasp Northern Ireland for he has been stationed there several times over the years . On his forehead is a silver plate suitably embossed with the Regimental Cap Badge while on the tips of his horns fit a pair of silver protectors . These latter are not as might be imagined to protect the horns , but rather to protect the clothing of the " Ram Major " , " Ram Orderly " and visitors , of which he receives a great number each time he appears in public . " Private Derby " has two handlers whose duty it is to look after him at all times . The senior handler carries the battalion rank of " Ram Major " whilst the other has that of " Ram Orderly " . It is the Ram Major ' s responsibility to prepare Private Derby for all parades and the many other appearances which he makes . They also escort Private Derby when he is on parade by standing , one on either side , leading or controlling him with two white ornamental ropes which are attached to a leather collar .