Private Derby XXX: Ram Through The Ranks

One of the UK's army regiments has a new - slightly unusual - Lance Corporal: a ram who has been promoted for "exceptional performance" and "good behaviour".

Derby XXX, the official mascot for The Mercian Regiment's three battalions, was the star of a glittering parade to celebrate their Formation Day - and his own 'first stripe'.

The newly-promoted Lance Corporal, resplendent in his scarlet coat with green, gold and the regiment's main battle honours, celebrated the day at Dale Barracks in Chester.

The Swaledale ram is among three mascots serving with the 3rd (UK) Division, including a drum horse called Dudley with The Queen's Royal Hussars and a regimental goat in 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.

You might think he has an easy life but his duties include walking two miles a day along with a busy schedule of parades, charity functions and leading Derby County FC onto the field for their home games.

He even switched on the Christmas lights in the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, last year.

The ram lives on a diet of grass and hay and is officially classed as a soldier, with an ID card and Army number, and even draws a wage for his rations.

Like many veterans, he has a collection of medals: a replica of the India Mutiny Medal, a General Service Medal 1962 with the clasp Northern Ireland - where he has been stationed several times - two jubilee medals and a recent Op Tosca (Cyprus) medal.

Lance Corporal Derby XXX also has a silver plate on his forehead which is embossed with the regimental cap badge, along with silver protectors on the tips of his horns.

Following his promotion, he will be allowed to wear a single stripe on his rank slide.

Commanding Officer of 2 Mercian, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Wilde, said: "This is the latest in a long line of 'Derbys' to have served as our regimental mascot, and not all of them are as well behaved as our newest was today - he is well deserving of his promotion.

"But today is not all about him: exactly eight years ago the regiment was formed, and over those years we have developed one of the strongest operational pedigrees in the British Army and so it is important that we celebrate that."

Lance Corporal Derby XXX joined the regiment in February 2014, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1858.

The first Private Derby was acquired by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot at the siege and capture of Kotah during the Indian Mutiny Campaign between 1857 and 1858.