Michael Fabricant has been informed by the Ministry of Defence that “The Mercian Regiment recognises the importance of its relationship with its respective counties and as the Army reorganises, the Regimental Council of the Mercian Regiment has considered in detail how best to preserve and cherish these geographical linkages. Therefore, The Mercian Regiment has proposed a change to its title, namely the addition of a new suffix so the Regiment title will read: ‘The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcester and Foresters and Staffords)’. The proposal will now go forward though the Army’s Honours and Distinctions Committee and will then be sent to Her Majesty The Queen for Her approval.”

Michael Fabricant comments “Although it is sad that the Staffordshire Regiment was disbanded by the last Government back in 2004, this change in name will preserve a vital link to the County and to the City of Lichfield in which it was first founded. It will be of some small solace to those who served with the Staffords and friends and family of those with regimental ties.”