Local MPs will be among a group meeting with the Colonel of the Mercian Regiment to discuss the handling of the decision to axe the 3rd Batallion.
The meeting on December 5 will see Major General Sharpe OBE discussing a number of concerns relating to issues including preserving the heritage of the Batallion, which was formed as part of a merger involving the Staffordshire Regiment.
MPs, including Michael Fabricant and Christopher Pincher, had sought written assurances about the future following the Government’s decision to remove the troops from the Order of Battle as part of widespread military cuts.
Maj Gen Sharpe replied by outlined his shared concerns, but insisted he wanted to preserve the heritage but make sure the Regiment is on strong footing for future deployments.
“This is promising news for our local regiment,” said Mr Pincher. ” Maj Gen Sharpe is clearly keen to preserve the past of the Staffords and safeguard the future of the entire Regiment.
“I look forward to our meeting so we can discuss in person my concerns about the future of the names, traditions and values of the Staffords. It is important to have a local regiment.
“We are also pleased to learn that the name of the Staffords should be preserved, but we will want to press the general for more information about his plans for the redeployment of personnel.”
