Settling into a well-earned retirement on the Derbyshire estate after a distinguished military career, he’ll certainly be keen to enjoy the run of the Chatsworth parkland.
Army ram mascot Derby XXXII made history by achieving a higher rank than any of his predecessors in the role, which dates back to Victorian times.
Derby XXXII was made a Corporal in July in a ceremony during First Battalion The Mercian Regiment’s annual pilgrimage to its regimental memorial in Crich.
The animal, who has his own service number, uniform and rations, had been in the role for seven years, during which he twice met the King and accompanied soldiers at a string of ceremonial events.
He was previously promoted to Lance Corporal by Charles in one of his last duties as Prince of Wales, in the summer of 2022.
When His Royal Highness first met the ram four years earlier while on a barracks visit, Charles was able to give him a stroke, despite being told by his handlers: ‘He’s a little bit feisty’.
Ever since, a Derby Ram has accompanied the battalion, attending ceremonial occasions, events and even football matches with his comrades in arms.
Although previous rams have been promoted as far as Lance Corporal, none has ever lasted long enough in the role to become a full Corporal.
Derby XXXII received his promotion before retirement, to be replaced by a new ram from Chatsworth.
Brigadier Andrew Cox awarded him his new title during the regiment’s annual commemorative service at its memorial in Crich.
Before placing an extra stripe on the mascot’s ceremonial coat, the officer said Derby XXXII had ‘made history by becoming the first Derby (ram) to be promoted to full Corporal on account of his long service’.
The ram - horns and hooves polished and accompanied by his red-coated handlers, a Ram Major and Ram Orderly - then posed calmly for selfies in the sunshine with crowds who had gathered for the event.
The Derby Ram’s history with the British Army dates back to March 1858, when 600 men of predecessor regiment the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot acted to quell a rebellion in central India, where troops of Raj Ram Singh of Kohtah had mutinied.
According to the regiment’s history, in the aftermath of the battle, a ‘fine fighting ram’ was found tethered in a temple yard by one of the soldiers, Private Sullivan, and Commanding Officer, Lt Col Raines, decided to keep the animal as a mascot for the regiment.
The ram, named 'Private Derby' on account of the 95th Regiment’s ties to the city, then marched nearly 3,000 miles with the 95th Foot throughout Central India and was present at six actions during the remainder of the Indian revolt.
In recognition of his service, Derby I received the Indian Mutiny Medal in 1862 at Poona.
The regiment and its successors continued the tradition of having a ram mascot ever-since, initially selecting a ram from wherever they were based.
Since 1912, successive Dukes of Devonshire have provided a succession of Swaledale rams - a distinctive breed with curly ‘corkscrew’ horns and black face with white nose – for the post from the Chatsworth flock.
Not long after joining up, Derby XXXII, then aged 20 months, first met Charles in 2018, on a visit to the battalion in Bulford, Wiltshire, to mark the then Prince of Wales’s ten years as Colonel-in-Chief.
Wearing combat fatigues, black boots and a beret, the prince asked Cpl Philip Thornton, at the time Derby XXXII’s Ram Major, if the creature was ‘trained’ and when he was told the then Private Derby was, asked ‘does he behave himself reasonably well?’
Cpl Thornton replied: ‘He’s a little bit feisty’.
Charles met the ram for a second time in July 2022, when he promoted him to Lance Corporal while the battalion was stationed at Weeton Barracks, Lancashire.
After becoming King, Charles appointed Prince William to succeed him as the Mercian Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief last August.
‘After seven years of service as the Regimental Mascot of The Mercian Regiment, it's a real pleasure to welcome Corporal Derby XXXII back to Chatsworth for his retirement,’ says Rachel Kearsey, farmyard and adventure playground manager at Chatsworth.
‘Our connection with The Mercian Regiment dates back to 1912 and is part of a long-standing tradition passed down through generations. We're incredibly proud to continue this by presenting the regiment with its next Private Derby.
‘More than 50 years later, it continues to provide care and conservation for livestock and rare breeds, allowing families and friends to enjoy learning more about the wonders of the world around them.’
The British Army’s string of mascots include Shetland ponies, a Welsh mountain pony, a goat, Irish wolfhound dog and Staffordshire bull terrier.
The highest-ranked military animals are cavalry drum horses, which have the rank of Major.
The Household Cavalry’s newest drum horse, Juno, was officially unveiled and named by the Queen in June last year.
