"Army sheep Private Derby XXX promoted to Lance Corporal"

RallyPoint Shared Content — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:21:04 -0400

From: BBC

A sheep which is the mascot of a British Army regiment has been promoted at a ceremony marking its formation.

Private Derby XXX was promoted to the rank of lance corporal at an event in Chester marking eight years of the Mercian Regiment.

He was awarded his honour by the colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams.

The Swaledale ram, who is officially classed as a soldier, received his promotion for "good behaviour".

He is the 30th in a line of mascot rams running back to the Indian Mutiny War in the mid-19th Century.

The first Private Derby was acquired in 1858 by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot and became the mascot of the Mercian Regiment when it formed in 2007.

Lance Corporal Derby XXX joined the regiment in February 2014.

He has his own army number, gets paid to buy his rations and takes his holidays during the mating season on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire.
During his career, Lance Corporal Derby XXX has also helped switch on the Christmas lights in Ashbourne and met Prince William at the unveiling of a memorial commemorating the 1914 Christmas Truce.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34125832

Army sheep Private Derby XXX promoted to Lance Corporal - BBC News

A sheep which is the mascot of a British Army regiment has been promoted at a ceremony marking its formation.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 4 at 2015 10:24 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:24:06 -0400

Oh those crazy Brits!! LOL

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 4 at 2015 10:25 AM

SGT Scott Bell — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:25:06 -0400

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 10:25 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:25:43 -0400

I mean... why not? He probably has a whole lot of time in service (goes to look it up). Yeah been serving since 1858 (in uh... different incarnations) and doesn't seem to have any disciplinary actions. Really he is way overdue for promotion. I hope he gets all the backpay due him.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 4 at 2015 10:35 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:35:09 -0400

Such a fine upstanding LCPL he is too. What took the Army so long to recognize this fine soldier!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 11:17 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 11:17:03 -0400

Oh the stories of Ft Irwin that it reminds me of. We once had a Regimental formation. Why? Because the Regimental horse, Comanche, was getting promoted and being awarded medals. We stood in formation so we could witness this horse go from PFC to SPC and be awarded the GCM, an AAM and an ARCOM. In my head, AYFKM (acronym of course) was screaming. They actually read off promotion orders and orders of awards.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 4 at 2015 12:33 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 12:33:46 -0400

Back in September of 2013, Sgt Chesty XIII was retired from active duty. His replacement PFC Chesty XIV was immediately promoted to LCpl. I understand the younger Chesty has been since --both demoted back to PFC AND promoted to LCpl. Providing he does nothing to soil the parade deck at "8th & I," it is my understanding that Chesty XIV may be in-zone for Corporal's chevrons.

Response by PO3 Brad Brakhane made Sep 4 at 2015 12:45 PM

PO3 Brad Brakhane — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 12:45:56 -0400

Salute the rank not the sheep..,lol