At the double! Mercian Regiment's ram mascot becomes dad to TWO sets of twins
The Mercian Regiment has congratulated its regimental mascot on the birth of his offspring.
Private Derby has become a proud dad to not one, but TWO sets of twin lambs.
As one of the very few official mascots in the British Army, he has his own regimental number, issued by the Army Veterinary Corps.
Known as 'Private Derby', the Mercian Regiment's mascot was first introduced in 1858 after a "fine" fighting ram was found tethered in a temple yard in Kotah during the Indian Mutiny.
Private Derby I marched nearly 3,000 miles with the Derbyshire Regiment throughout Central India and was present during the remainder of the Indian Revolt – receiving the Indian Mutiny Medal in 1862 as recognition.
Sadly he was accidentally drowned when he jumped into a well in Hyderbad, India, in 1863.
The regiment adopted a new Ram to continue the tradition and he was named Derby II.
The tradition has continued, with each successor carrying the Private Derby name – currently Private Derby XXXII is the 32nd ram to hold the position.
Since 1912, the Duke of Devonshire has selected a ram from his Swaledale flock at Derbyshire's Chatsworth House to be presented to the regiment and named as the next Private Derby.
Private Derby is occasionally a welcome visitor on the pitch at Pride Park Stadium, home to Derby County, who are nicknamed The Rams.
There has been no news of names for the four newborn lambs, but that has not stopped one person on Twitter from having a go.
Mark Davis said: "My money is on Derby-dos to win by a lamb slide…".
Do you think 'ewe' can do better? Only time 'wool' tell....!
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