Bishop of Lichfield tells of pride in troops as Mercian Regiment parades old colours
The Bishop of Lichfield spoke of civilian pride in the achievements 'despite incredible odds' of The Mercian Regiment as soldiers paraded their old colours for the last time.
The Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill thanked the soldiers for their bravery, hard work and sacrifice at Lichfield Cathedral. He also said it had been good to hear their contribution highlighted in Parliament in the past week.
New colours were presented to the regiment by the Prince of Wales, the regiment's colonel-in-chief, at a ceremony in Worcester earlier this month. The old colours were lain for the final time yesterday. "We civilians are very proud that in spite of incredible odds you made a difference," he said.
The Very Rev Adrian Dorber, the Dean of Lichfield, said: "No more fitting place than this could be found in which to deposit these emblems of duty and service."
The congregation stood as the great west doors at the front of the cathedral were opened for a guard of honour to carry the colours inside.
At the altar they were lowered and handed to the Bishop. Hymns, prayers and bible readings made up the 40-minute tribute. It was a day of sadness for David Lovell, aged 55, who followed his father John into the Staffords and whose 32-year son, also David, is currently a colour sergeant in the Mercians.
The veteran, of Highfields, Stafford, who served between 1975-1992, said: "It's a sad day, seeing 308 years of regimental history getting shoved into the archives."
