PRIVATE DERBY

The 95th Derbyshire Regiment has been, since 1858, famous for itsRegimental Mascot, a Ram. He was and still is known as " DERBY" and has been held on the official strength of the Regiment since that time. He has his own individual system of numbering (beginning with No 1 to the present 29th ) and documentation. In addition he is on the ration strength, given his own regimental number - currently M/4970029 - and draws his rations like any other soldier, albeit he tends to favour a much different diet.

Private Sullivan 95th Derbyshire Regiment approaching Derby 1 at Kotah

The first Private Derby was acquired in 1858 by the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot at the Seige and capture of Kotah during the Indian Mutiny Campaign of 1857 - 1858. The Commanding Officer whilst on one of his forays within the town, noticed a fine fighting ram tethered in a temple yard. He directed Private Sullivan of the Number 1 Company to take the ram into his possession. We are not told what were the intentions of the Commanding Officer in taking the ram, but if it was with the anticipation of a sound mutton dinner, then he must have gone hungry, for the Ram was not slaughtered.

The Ram followed Private Sullivan quite contentedly and marched some 3,000 miles throughout Central India with the Regiment. He was present with the 95th during their engagements in six actions, as a result of which, in 1862 he received with the remainder of the Battalion on parade at Poona the "India Medal with Clasp Central India". This medal is one of the items to be found on display in the Regimental Museum Gallery in Nottingham Castle.

It is on record that Private Derby 1st fought in thirty three battles with other Rams and was never defeated. Unfortunately, he came to a sad end when he jumped over the wall of a well at Hyderabad Sind in 1863 and was drowned.

Since that time there has followed a succession of fine rams, each of which has inherited the official title of "PRIVATE DERBY" followed by his successive number. The earliest replacement Rams were presented to the Regiment in which ever part of the world they were serving in at the time. however, since 1912 it has become the tradition for the Duke of Devonshire to select a Swaledale Ram from his Chatsworth Park flock and present it to the Regiment. It is a tradition the Duke is proud to hold, in recognition of the close association between the Regiment and the Dukes of Devonshire.

However, as with most things, there have been odd departures from tradition and in 1924, DERBY XIV was presented to the Regiment by His Highness Sir Umeo Singh Bahador GCB GLSI GCIE The Maharao of Kotah as was DERBY XV in 1930.

When on parade "Private Derby" wears a coat of scarlet with Lincoln green and gold facings, the whole emblazoned with the Regiment's main Battle Honours. Also on his coat is to be found a replica of his India Mutiny Medal and in addition he now wears the General Service Medal 1962 with Clasp Northern Ireland for he has been stationed there several times over the years. On his forehead is to be found a silver plate suitably embossed with the Regimental Cap Badge while on the tips of his horns fit a pair of silver protectors. These latter are not as might be imagined to protect the horns, but rather to protect the clothing of the Ram Major, Ram Orderly and visitors, of which he receives a great number each time he appears in public.

"Private Derby" has two handlers whose duty it is to look after him at all times. The senior handler carries the Battalion rank of "Ram Major" whilst the other has that of "Ram Orderly". It is the Ram Major's responsibility to prepare Private Derby for all parades and the many other appearances which he makes from time to time. They also escort Private Derby when he is on parade by standing, one on either side, leading or controlling him with two white ornamental ropes which are attached to a leather collar.

FAMILY TREE

Derby VI : 1882 - 1884 Black Ram Presented by HH Syed Muhammad Kalby Ali Khan the Nawab of Rampur

Derby VIII : 1891 Presented by HH Shri Sawai Maharaja Sir Mangal Singh the Maharaja of Ulwar

Derby IX : 1894 Presented by Col HH Raj Rishi Shri Sawai Maharaja Sir Jai Singh the Maharaja of Ulwar

Derby XI : 1907 - 1912 Presented by Major Roddham 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers then quartered in Malta

Derby XIV : 1924 - 1930 Presented by HH The Maharao Mahendra Shri Sir Umaid Singh II Bahadur of Kotah

Derby XV : 1930 Presented by HH The Maharao Mahendra Shri Sir Umaid Singh II Bahadur of Kotah

Derby XXI : 1967 - 1976 Presented by the Duke of Devonshire (This Ram was the last of the Sherwood Foresters (45th/95th) and the first of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th) - thus maintaining the link).

Derby XXVIII : 2005 - 2008 Presented by the Duke of Devonshire (This Ram was the last of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and the first of The Mercian Regiment - thus continuing the 'Golden Thread').

"THE BALLAD OF THE DERBY RAM"

The following is the history of the words and origin of the tune "The Derby Ram" as discovered to date. The origin of this popular old ballad has yet to be ascertained says Jewitt in his Ballads and Songs of Derbyshire in 1867. It was at least 100 years old at the time of Jewitt setting down his writings. There is an earlier reference to the tune ia letter from the Rev Henry Cantrell, Vicar of St Alkmunds in 1739. Thomas Moult in his Derbyshire Prose and Verse of 1929 ascribes the words to the sixteenth century, with the author being unknown. The Ballad was set to music by either Dr John Wall Callcott, a Londoner (1776-1821) or his son William Hutchings Callcott (1807-1882)

As I was going to Derby, Sir, All on a market day,
I met the finest Ram, Sir That was ever fed on hay.

The Ram was fat behind, Sir This Ram was fat before,
This Ram was ten yards high, Sir Indeed he was no more.

The wool upon his back, Sir Reached up into the sky,
The eagles made their nests there, Sir For I heard the young ones cry.

The wool upon his belly, Sir It dragged upon the ground.
It was sold in Derby Town, Sir, For four thousand pound.

The space between his horns, Sir Was as far as man could reach,
And there they built a pulpit, Sir for the Parson there to preach.

The teeth that were in his mouth, Sir, Were like a Regiment of men,
And the tongue that hung between them, Sir, Would have dined them twice and again.

The Ram jumped o'er a wall, Sir, His tail caught on a briar,
It reached from Derby Town, Sir, All into Leicestershire.

And of this tail so long, Sir, Twas ten yards and an ell,
They made a goodly rope, Sir, to toll the market bell

WFR MUSEUM

THE REGIMENTAL MASCOT

HISTORY OF THE REGIMENTAL MASCOT

PRIVATE DERBY

FAMILY TREE

"THE BALLAD OF THE DERBY RAM"