We are posting this tribute to the gallant members of the Mercian Regiment who lost their lives on their recent tour of Afghanistan.
The connection to the Mercians is our own Corps of Drums Veterans.
When a three town Parades were organized by the Mercian Regiment on their return to the UK,
it was realised they did not have a full complement of Corps of Drums.
Their incumbent Drum Major put out an appeal requesting volunteer's with the skills to support their serving troops.
As always the Brigade were there to help and six former Drummers took one pace forward, four of them Coldstreamers.
The following report is from Don Castelow, long serving Drummer with the Regiment and member of the Yorkshire Corps of Drums.
Before you read the report I wish to make you aware that the total age of our Drummers is double that of the whole of the Mercian Drums.
Also that in the recent past Don Castelow suffered a massive stroke and his quality of life was in serious doubt.
Read the following and be proud of who we are, Second to none
.
THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS
Third to the Sixth of December 2007
NEVER VOLUNTEER,

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Unless its for a good cause that’s what we have always been told.
Last week Four former Coldstream Drummers, Stu Sutton, Pete Nightingale, Ian (Daffy) Brooke and myself Don Castelow,
plus Geoff Fairfax former East Surrey Regiment & Phil Williams former Grenadier (Spit) Guards ALL DID EXACTLY THAT and got into uniform.
Daffy and I missed the first part of the mornings practice at Cavalry Barracks with the Mercian Regiment in Hounslow because he worked
a twelve hour shift on Sunday night then jumped straight in the car and kept me company all the way down to Hounslow.
Fortunately we didn’t loose our names and managed a few tunes before the lunch break.
Although our uniforms had all gone up one size!!! since our own demobs, we all managed to get kitted out with the help of the Coldstream QM's Department in Windsor. Thank YOU. Our next stop would have been Billy Smarts Circus for tents.
We then departed for Norwich and Beckingham Camp which was to be our home from home for the next 3 nights.
After a meal and a few tinny’s and getting to know the Drummers we had an early (ish) night ready for the 05.30hrs Reveille.
Tuesdays Church Service and parade took place in Nottingham followed by a very long liquid lunch, a minibus sing song and more flute playing back to camp, after the evening meal off down the pub for more well earned REPLEN.
Wednesday was a church service and parade in Derby and the same on Thursday in Worcester.
The crowds turned out in their Thousands in Nottingham, Derby and Worcester, for the lads Freedom March's through the towns.
Flag waving and cheering, yes! we had a good laugh, sing and play, some also shed tears
Seeing Nine candles on the alter of a Cathedral brings home the truth that Nine members of the Mercian Regiment unselfishly paid the ultimate price and gave up their lives for others.
During the Four days we had a drink with and spoke to many of the Mercian Regiments members who had recently returned from a six month tour of Afghanistan.
Forty members of the Regiment sustained injuries on the tour in many acts of unselfish bravery helping others.
In the 1970s and 80s a soldiers job wasn’t an easy one but now the odds against our own forces and the demands are even higher.
WELL DONE LADS WELL DONE WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Report by Don Castelow