| The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) | |
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Badge of the Sherwood Foresters |
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| Active | 1881–1970 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Line Infantry |
| Size | Two battalions |
| Anniversaries | Badajoz (6th April) Alma (20th September) |
The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was formed during the Childers Reforms in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot and the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot. The new regiment also included the militia and rifle volunteer units of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Following a series of mergers since 1970, its lineage is today continued by the 2nd battalion, the Mercian Regiment.
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The regiment was formed as part of the reorganisation of the infantry by the Childers reforms. The 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot (raised in 1741) and the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot (raised in 1823) were redesignated as the 1st and 2nd battalions of The Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment), while the Derbyshire and the Royal Sherwood Foresters Militias became the 3rd and 4th Battalions respectively. These were joined by the 1st and 2nd (Derbyshire) and 3rd and 4th (Nottinghamshire) Volunteer Battalions. In 1902 the Nottinghamshire association was made explicit, the name changing to The Sherwood Foresters (Nottingham and Derbyshire) Regiment. The Headquarters of the Regimental District was established at Derby.
Following amalgamation the Sherwood Foresters saw action in Egypt in 1882 and in South Africa during the Boer War.
During the First World War the Sherwood Foresters raised 33 battalions, of which 20 served overseas. This was mainly on the Western Front, but also in Gallipoli, Italy, and the Middle East. Over 140 ,000 men served in the regiment, which lost 11,400 killed. The regiment won 57 battle honours, and 2000 decorations, including 9 VCs.
After garrison service in the interwar years the Sherwood Foresters again saw action, in the Second World War. The regiment served in the Norwegian Campaign and the Battle of France, and later in the North African and Italian campaigns. They also saw action in the Far East. Over 16 battalions were raised, and nearly 27,000 men served in the regiment, suffering 1500 killed. The regiment won 10 battle honours and won 400 decorations, including a VC.
In 1940 the 70th (YS) Battalion Sherwood Foresters were stationed at Holme Pierrepont Hall near Radcliffe on Trent Nottingham. The young soldiers battalions were formed to take volunteers who had not reached the compulsory age of conscription.[1]
In post war period Sherwood Foresters served as occupation forces in Germany, and later in the BAOR. In 1958 they saw action in Malaya and, in 1963, in Cyprus.
In 1931, the Sherwood Foresters were officially allied with the Simcoe Foresters (35th Regiment of Infantry), Canadian Militia. This alliance has continued to the present day through The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) and the Mercian Regiment with The Grey and Simcoe Foresters.
In 1970 the Sherwood Foresters were amalgamated with The Worcestershire Regiment to form The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot).
The following members of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross: