The Mercian Regimental cap badge of a Saxon crown over a double headed eagle was originally the Crest of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, better known through his wife Lady Godiva of Coventry.
The first modern known reference to the title Mercian can be found in an instruction sent to editors of army newspapers during World War 2. Reporting on a wartime sports day, it was recorded that "they (whoever they are!) won the same event in their recent Brigade Championships from the 2nd Wessex Regiment and the 1st Mercian Regiment part of 100 Infantry Brigade, 17th Armoured Division". (Taken from the Union Jack, a Scrapbook of British Forces Newspapers 1939 -1945, published by HMSO).
Just as the Mercian Eagle had two heads, so the Mercians raised two battalions, Mercian Volunteers, later to become 1st Battalion Mercian Volunteers and The Light Infantry and Mercian Volunteers, later re-named 2nd Battalion Mercian Volunteers.
The colours of the 1st Battalion are laid up in St Peters Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton
The colours of the 2nd Battalion are displayed in the Council Offices in Solihull
Mercian Volunteers was formed in 1967 with four infantry companies based at Stockport, Kidderminster, Burton on Trent and Nottingham respectively. HQ Company and Battalion HQ were based eventually at Fallings Park in Wolverhampton
In 1975 Mercian Volunteers became the 1st Battalion Mercian volunteers and the light Infantry & Mercian Volunteers became the 2nd Battalion Mercian Volunteers. Both Battalions had a NATO role.
In 1988 it was decided to revert back to County titles and Mercian was disbanded and the following Battalions were formed;
The 3rd Battalion The Cheshire Regiment,
The 4th Battalion The Worcestershire & Sherwood Forester Regiment
The 3rd Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment emerged.
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