The antecedent regiments of the Mercian Regiment represent a golden thread of military history, tradition and service to the country going back more than 300 years. Their stories began in 1689 for the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, in 1695 for the Worcestershire and Foresters Regiment and in 1705 for the Staffordshire Regiment.

These stories and those of their associated Volunteers, Militia, Territorials and Reserves and today’s Mercian Regiment are kept alive in the four museums that make up the Mercian Regiment historical collection. The museums also encompass collections and archives from other units in the five associated counties. In addition to The Staffordshire Regiment Museum and Mercian Archive, details of the other three museums are provided below. The Future Plan – The Front Line – will link all four museums even more closely while maintaining all four museums across the Regimental area.

The Cheshire Regiment :

The Museum displays over 300 years of military history from the County of Cheshire. It is a fun day out for all the family with special activity days, quizzes and events throughout the year. Inside the gallery there is a World War One trench system you can explore, a detailed display on what life was like for a National Service soldier, and a newly refurbished Modern Armed Forces Gallery.

The museum houses a collection of artefacts relating to The Cheshire Regiment, Cheshire Yeomanry, 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales’s Dragoon Guards), 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and from its formation in 2007 the Mercian Regiment. The archives of the Cheshire Regiment are also held at the museum. Research can be undertaken in person, by appointment only or by submitting a research form which can be found on the website.

Contact Information

Address: Cheshire Military Museum, The Castle, Chester, CH1 2DN

Email: cheshiremilitarymuseum@outlook.com

Telephone: 01244 327617

Web : www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk

The Worcestershire Regiment

The Worcestershire Soldier exhibition tells the story of the men of Worcestershire’s Regiments from 1694 to the present day Mercian Regiment. These soldiers lived and sometimes died in the defence of our country and its interests overseas. Using archive film, memories and the unique collections of The Worcestershire Regiment and Worcestershire Yeomanry, this display brings over 300 years of military history to life.

Contact Information

Address: 1st floor of Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum,  Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT.

Email: museummercian@btconnect.com

Tele: 01905 721982

Web: www.worcestershiresandmercianregimentmuseum.org

The Sherwood Foresters Regiment:

The Museum tells the history of the Mercian Regiment and its antecedent Regiments raised in the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The museum exhibits cover almost 300 years of military history and service to military service to Crown and Country in all major wars and conflicts from the American War of Independence to the recent campaign in Afghanistan. The Collections are spread over two galleries in Nottingham Castle and the Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Contact Information

Address: Nottingham Castle,  Lenton Rd, Nottingham NG1 6EL

Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS

Email: enquiries@stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk

Telephone: 0115 9465415 extension 5219

Web : www.stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk