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.
Read more about this topic: Worcestershire And Sherwood Foresters Regiment
Famous quotes containing the word private:
“All men, in the abstract, are just and good; what hinders them, in the particular, is, the momentary predominance of the finite and individual over the general truth. The condition of our incarnation in a private self, seems to be, a perpetual tendency to prefer the private law, to obey the private impulse, to the exclusion of the law of the universal being.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)