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3 Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of THE -IN-CHIEF Contents

PART I A Brief History Page 2 PART II The Today Page 33 PART III Regimental Information Page 46

Our Regiment, ‘The Tigers’, has I hope that you enjoy reading the now ‘come of age’, passed its Third Edition of this unique history twenty-first birthday and forged and thank the author, Colonel For further information its own modern identity based on Patrick Crowley, for updating the on the PWRR go to: recent operational experiences in content. I commend this excellent www..mod. and and its well- guide to our fine Regiment. uk// known professionalism. Our long /23994 heritage, explained in this Guide, Signed makes us proud to be the most New Virtual Museum web site: senior English Regiment of the www.armytigers.com Line and the Regiment of choice in and the South East. If you are connected with the counties of , , , and the , and the , we are your regiment. We take a fierce pride Richard Dennis OBE in our close connections with the The Colonel of The Regiment south of where we recruit our and our PWRR Family consists of , regular and reserve soldiers, veterans and their loved ones.

In this Regiment, we celebrate the traditional virtues of courage, self-discipline and loyalty to our comrades and we take particular pride in the achievements of our junior ranks, like Sergeant , who won the for his bravery under fire in Iraq. You cannot read this Guide and fail to be inspired by the PWRR; by its illustrious past and equally distinguished present. We are the most decorated regiment in the and we learn from the past and look to the future.

1 PART I A Brief History of The of ’s Royal Regiment

Introduction - Colonel Patrick Crowley

This part of the Guide provides a have changed over the centuries Part II of the Guide now reflects how brief history of the long and glorious and have included The Queen’s the Regiment has ‘come of age’. service of the forebear regiments Royal Regiment (2nd Foot), The of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Buffs (3rd Foot), The East Surrey The Regiment has been represented Regiment. The Regiment, formed in Regiment (31st and 70th Foot), The in virtually every campaign of 1992, from the amalgamation of The (35th and the British Army and provided a Queen’s Regiment and The Royal 107th Foot), The Royal Hampshire significant contribution to many Hampshire Regiment, is the proud Regiment (37th and 67th Foot), famous . This has included inheritor of a history extending back The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Blenheim, , , to the very earliest beginnings of Regiment (50th and 97th Foot) and Albuhera, Sobraon, Sevastopol, the British Army. The examples The (57th and Gallipoli, , , Salerno of valour, adherence to duty, and 77th Foot). This seeks to link and many more. In more recent fortitude, continue to inspire the the strands of their history in years, the Regiment has helped current officers and soldiers of the to intrigue both the expert bring the Cold to a successful modern Regiment, who are proud to and the layman. The narrative conclusion and was represented in belong to the most senior English concentrates on regular army the campaigns in Korea, Malaya, Regiment of the Line. service, although the contribution of , , Aden, Borneo, the , Volunteers, Territorials, Northern , the Balkans, Iraq Any brief history is complicated by Army Reserves and conscripts and Afghanistan. the diverse nature of the Regiment’s must not be underestimated, both forebears. These are the great line as individual reinforcements and The inherited traditions of the regiments of Surrey, Kent, Sussex, formed units, particularly in the two Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, Hampshire and Middlesex, which world and in recent conflicts. which include the reputation for have expanded and contracted in The contribution to all ranks by past courage, endurance, determination, an ever-changing political climate. cadets is also acknowledged. loyalty and good humour, are The names of these regiments second to none.

2 The Beginning

The origin of the Regiment can be relieve the of Londonderry. traced to the 1st May 1572, when Both The Queen’s and The Buffs 3,000 men of the Trained Bands continued to fight for King William of London paraded before Queen in Flanders in ‘King William’s War’ Elizabeth I at Greenwich. Three of 1689–1697 against His Most hundred of them volunteered to Catholic Majesty Louis XIV of go to the aid of the Dutch in their and fought side-by-side at the revolt against , as a formed of Landen in 1693. under the command of Thomas Morgan. The force expanded to four English regiments and in 1665, half of them returned to England, rather than swear Piercy Kirke allegiance to the then liberated Dutch and formed Our Holland Queen Catherine Regiment. Despite their Tudor origin, they were numbered the 4th Foot, raised to the 3rd Foot in 1689. By 1751, they were known as the Buffs, due to their buff uniform facings. Two centuries before, in 1415, the origin of one of the Regiment’s , the Hampshire rose, was established. Henry V awarded this to the Trained Bands of archers from Hampshire following their feats during the .

The 2nd or Tangier Regiment of Foot had its first muster on Putney Heath on the 14th October 1661. It was raised in order to garrison the Port of Tangier, which King Charles II had acquired as part of the dowry, when he married Catherine of Braganza, the Infanta of . The Queen’s, named after Queen Catherine, remained in Tangier for twenty-three years until the port was evacuated. The Regiment’s first , ‘Tangier 1662–1680’ is the oldest in the British Army and is displayed on the Regimental Colour together with Catherine’s cypher. In 1685, The Queen’s took part in the last battle fought on English soil, at Sedgemoor, against the protestant Duke of ’s rebel force. There they gained the nickname of ‘Kirke’s Lambs’ after their and the manner in which their Colonel put down the rebellion. Four years later, having fought for King James II at Sedgemoor, The Queen’s fought against him at The Battle of The Boyne in Ireland and helped to

3 1702-1713 The War of The Spanish Succession

Confl ict with France was to continue wearing orange facings. In 1702, The Queen’s, The Buffs, the 31st for many years, despite the end of ‘Meredith’s’, the 37th Foot, later and the 35th of Foot all took part in King William’s War. It was at this The Hampshire Regiment, was also the abortive attack on Cadiz in 1702, time that many other forebear raised in Ireland and in the same whilst the 31st Foot participated in regiments had their beginnings. year, Villiers’ , the 31st Foot, Rooke’s successful capture They were known by the name of later The , and defence of in 1704. their , but this Guide will was raised. The Queen’s, The Buffs and the 37th refer to them by their number Foot were to join the Army of one as a Line regiment in order to The Grand Alliance of England, of Britain’s greatest avoid confusion, even though the and The Holy John Churchill, 1st Duke of the numbering system was not Roman Empire () was set Marlborough, for his famous march introduced until 1750. Eighteen new against France, because Louis across Europe and long campaign regiments were to be raised in the XIV had claimed the vacant against the French. period 1701–1702, six of which were of Spain for his grandson Philip. The Queen’s were to gain the primarily for sea service. King William’s successor, Queen fi rst ‘Royal’ title of the forebear Anne, declared war in 1702 and regiments at Tongres in 1703. The In 1701, the 35th Foot, later The the 35th Foot was warned for sea Regiment was quartered with a Royal Sussex Regiment, was service. The tradition of enjoying the Dutch Regiment, when 40,000 raised in by The 3rd Earl privilege of drinking the French attacked in order to destroy of Donegal. were sitting down, because deck beams Marlborough’s allied Dutch forces. protestant -Scots, and as a were too low to allow men to stand The two allied regiments fought of favour King William granted up, stems from the sea service of continuously for twenty-eight hours them the unique distinction of both the 31st and the 35th Foot. before being forced to surrender,

The Buffs at The Battle of Blenheim

4 1740-1748 The War of The Austrian Succession

gaining time for the remainder of the Dutch force to regroup and repel the French. The title ‘Royal’ was awarded, together with the mottoes ‘Pristinae Virtutis Memor’ (Mindful of Former Glory) and ‘Vel Exuviae Triumphant’ (Victorious even in Adversity).

The Buffs and the 37th Foot also fought with distinction in Marlborough’s Army, gaining the famous quartet of battle honours consisting of Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), Oudenarde (1708) and Malplaquet (1709). It was probably in 1707 that The Buffs received the Dragon as their badge in token of their Tudor origin. The War of The Spanish Succession ended with The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

The Dettingen Cup

The War of The Austrian The Buffs and the 37th Foot Succession arose from a dispute returned to England and helped between three candidates for deal with the second Jacobite the Austrian throne and Britain’s rebellion of 1745. Both regiments principal enemies were again formed part of the Duke of France and Spain. The Buffs, the Cumberland’s Army, which 31st and the 37th Foot fought fought Bonnie Prince Charlie at at Dettingen, which was a great Falkirk and Culloden, although victory and the last occasion on at the end of the War, which was which an English king (George II) marked by The Treaty of Aix- commanded his army in battle. la-Chapelle, they were back in The 31st Foot later received Flanders. heavy casualties at Fontenoy.

5 1754-1763 The

Britain, and Portugal were In October of the same year, the approached to within thirty-five aligned against France, Austria, 35th helped capture Louisbourg, but yards before Wolfe gave the order Russia, and , their greatest victory was to be at to fire and then, to quote Fortescue, during the Seven Years’ War. The Quebec. the British Army’s historian, ‘with War was described by William Pitt one deafening crash the most as the first world war, because After a series of defeats, the French perfect volley ever fired on a of its geographical spread and concentrated in the area of Quebec. battlefield burst forth as if from a its aftermath helped to forge the The allied assault on their positions single monstrous weapon, from . was led by the thirty-two-year-old end to end of the British line’. The General , who was the French in front of the 35th was The French and Indian War was the first Colonel of the 67th Foot, later the Royal Roussillon Regiment. American phase of the Seven Years’ The South Hampshire Regiment. Regimental tradition has it that as War, which began two years later in Thanks to the navigational skills they retreated, the French threw Europe. In June 1756, the 35th Foot of Captain James Cook, who later down their hats, the feathers arrived in the Hudson Valley to form became the great explorer, the from which the advancing 35th part of the Garrison of Fort William British effectively penetrated the put in their own head dress. The Henry on Lake George. In July 1757, St. Lawrence River and blockaded Roussillon Plume later became part the fort was attacked by a large Quebec. of the badge of The Royal Sussex force of French and Iroquois indians Regiment and the 13th September under the Marquis of Montcalm. On the night of the 12/13th became their Regimental Day. Wolfe After expending all ammunition, the September 1759, the assaulting and Montcalm were both killed in garrison was forced to surrender force, which included the 35th, the battle and General Amherst with the honours of war, but was climbed the Heights of Abraham. completed the conquest of . treacherously ambushed alongside The Regiment was in a crucial The 35th completed their war its wives and families en route to position at the right of the line at alongside The Buffs in a campaign the British post fifteen miles away. first light. At about 1000 hours against the French possessions of The story is told in Fennimore Montcalm’s came Martinique and Guadeloupe. Cooper’s . out of the town to attack and had

The Death of General Wolfe at The

6 1756-1763 The Seven Years’ War

The years 1756 to 1758 marked the raising of four further forebear regiments. The 2nd of the 31st Foot, which became the 70th Foot and later combined with the 31st to form The East Surrey Regiment, was raised in Glasgow. Also raised were the 50th Foot, later The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment (the Queen being , wife of William IV), the 57th Foot, later the senior forebear of The Middlesex Regiment, and the 67th Foot, later to become with the 37th Foot, The Hampshire Regiment.

The 37th Foot at the

The Battle of Minden

On the 1st August 1759, the 37th confusing order to ‘Advance with in confusion as, uniquely, infantry Foot fought at The Battle of Minden, drums beating in proper time’. The had attacked and scattered massed during the Seven Years’ War. This term ‘proper time’ was interpreted squadrons of . is now one of the three main as the rate of advance, whilst the Regimental Days of The Princess of Duke meant ‘in due course, when On the 1st August each year, every Wales’s Royal Regiment. The French the order is given’. The allied and in the Princess Army of Marshal de Contades was infantry advanced, in spite of of Wales’s Royal Regiment wears a marching towards Hannover and to crossfire from sixty French guns. ‘Minden’ rose in his headdress in block this move, Ferdinand, Duke They were then charged by French memory of the men of the 37th who, of Brunswick, resolved to hold cavalry, who were engaged at ten either before or after the Battle, Minden. The Duke’s force included yards to such devastating effect that picked dog-roses from the hedges six British infantry regiments, one the ground was strewn with men and put them in their caps. This of which was the 37th Foot. and horses. The advance continued tradition was inherited from The against two more cavalry charges, . The As the French approached, the which were also defeated. The Seven Years’ War finished with the British infantry were issued the French were driven from the field Peace of Paris in 1763.

7 1775-1783 The or The War of American Independence

There were no battle honours all to take part in the War and the the 57th with another victory at awarded to the Regiment’s 50th participated in a naval battle Brooklyn a year later. Also in 1776 forebears for their involvement in against the French off Ushant (a the 35th helped capture New the American War of Independence. French island at the mouth of the and won the battle of White Plains. Although the regiments fought English Channel off the north west Unfortunately, the 31st were part with distinction and achieved many coast of France) in 1778, serving as of General Burgoyne’s force, which victories against the rebel forces, marines. surrendered at Saratoga and the the colonies successfully rebelled Light Company of the 37th were against the rule of King George III The 35th featured most prominently present at Cornwallis’s surrender at with the support of France, Spain in the War in the fi rst of the battles. Yorktown. and the Netherlands. The Buffs, They defeated the rebels at Bunker 31st, 35th, 37th and 57th Foot were Hill, in 1775 and joined

The Charge of the 35th Foot at Bunker Hill

County Titles 1782

In 1782 county titles were allotted and the 70th the Surrey Regiment. became the 37th (North Hampshire) to Regiments of Foot although The 35th were initially linked with Regiment, whilst the 67th became they retained their numbers to Dorsetshire until Sussex was the 67th (South Hampshire) indicate precedence. The Queen’s substituted in 1804, whilst the 50th Regiment. were not affected, but the title were associated with West Kent and of ‘East Kent’ was added to The the 57th with West Middlesex. The Buffs (3rd Foot), the 31st became 37th and 67th were identifi ed with the Huntingdonshire Regiment the County of Hampshire; the 37th

8 1793-1802 The French Revolutionary War France’s support to the American colonists helped create the economic crises which led to the French Revolution. The deposed king, Louis XVI, was supported by Prussia and Austria, who formed an alliance with Britain, Holland and Spain to restore the French monarchy, but without success.

In the summer of 1793, the The Glorious 1st of June 1794 - The Death of Neville Queen’s were serving with the fl eet commanded by Admiral defeat the French at Tournay East; Cairo was occupied and the ‘Black Dick’ Howe. The Fleet was and the 50th (West Kent) joined French expelled. The badge of the sailing off Ushant in May 1794, Nelson driving the French out of Sphinx was awarded as an honour with regimental detachments Corsica. The Queen’s, The Buffs, to both regiments and the Sphinx distributed to Lord Howe’s fl agship 35th and 57th (West Middlesex) remains on the current Princess Queen Charlotte and His Majesty’s were all to take part in campaigns of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) Ships The Royal George, Defence, against French possessions in Regimental Colour. Majestic and Russell. The enemy the , however, heavy was sighted, but no attack was casualties were sustained from Tippoo Sahib, the Sultan of Mysore possible until the 1st June. The yellow fever, dysentery and other and ally of had plans for British fl eet formed line abreast tropical diseases. In 1798 The his army to drive the British out of to assault the French who were in Queen’s were heavily involved in the those areas of India administered line ahead on the port tack and at French supported Irish rebellion, by the Honourable East India 0900 hours both fl eets opened fi re. and in the following year joined Company. In October 1787, four The battle continued until the early the 31st (Huntingdonshire) and new regiments were raised, in the afternoon, by which time seven 35th (Dorsetshire) in the Helder name of the King, but in the pay of enemy ships had been captured and campaign in Holland, during which the Company, to provide greater 3,000 casualties infl icted against the French were defeated in every protection for British interests in 1,148 British casualties. Among engagement. In addition, in 1800 India. They included the 77th (East those killed was Lieutenant Neville the 35th, two strong, Middlesex), which was raised in of The Queen’s. The battle was a recovered from the French. 1787, arrived in Bombay in 1788 and tactical success and became the The Union fl ew over Malta fought its fi rst battle at Perripatam Regimental Day of The Queen’s from that date until the Island’s in March 1789. This forced Tippoo Royal Regiment; though at the independence in 1964, when, by Sahib to withdraw to his capital, strategic level an important French coincidence, the fl ag was lowered Seringapatam. Volunteers from the grain convoy had managed to reach for the last time by The Royal Regiment made up the ‘Forlorn France. Sussex Regiment, the successors to Hope’, the pessimistic name given the 35th, who were the last British to an assault party of picked , The Queen’s were awarded the Army Regiment to serve there. which led the attack on the city. Naval Crown on their Regimental Seringapatam fell and the body Colour, as a result of their rôle in The Queen’s and the 50th (West of Tippoo Sahib was found under the Battle. The honour remains on Kent) took part in the successful a mound of in the north the new Regimental Colour and landing at Aboukir Bay, near gateway. Subsequently, the 77th the Regiment continues to retain Alexandria, in 1801. This was served in the fi rst independent its relationship with the part of a joint operation in Egypt command of Sir Arthur Wellesley, through its close links with HMS against Napoleon’s Army of the later Lord Wellington, in his Excellent at and its campaign against the Mahrattas in affi liation with current warships. 1802. The French Revolutionary War was brought to an end by The Treaty The Buffs, 37th (North Hampshire) of , 1802. and the 57th (West Middlesex) served in Flanders during the ’s disastrous expedition in 1794, whilst the 37th helped The Naval Crown The Sphinx

9 1803-1815 The Latham Centrepiece The Napoleonic War

Napoleon had signed the Amiens Treaty only to give himself time to prepare for his invasion of England and fourteen months later he declared war again on the trumped-up grounds that Britain had failed to hand back Malta to the of St. John, in accordance with the Treaty. In October 1805, at Trafalgar, Nelson removed the threat of French invasion, which had led to the raising of some infantry regiment’s 2nd battalions, notably those of the 31st, the 35th, the 37th and the 67th. The Napoleonic War, which involved most European nations against France, continued until Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated by the allies at Waterloo on the 18th June 1815. The 1st Battalion of the 35th (Sussex) Regiment helped defeat the French at Maida in in 1806, but the main British contribution to the War was in Portugal and Spain, in what was called the .

1808-1814 The Peninsular War

The Queen’s, The Buffs (East Kent), Following initial allied successes Vimiera and their commanders’ 31st (Huntingdonshire), 50th (West against General Junot in Portugal success was acknowledged by Sir Kent), 57th (West Middlesex), 67th during 1808, Napoleon decided John Moore who cried ‘Well done (South Hampshire) and 77th (East to intervene personally. This my majors!’ the majors were Sir Middlesex) all took part in the compelled the force under Sir John Charles Napier and the fatally Peninsular campaign. The battle Moore to withdraw to Corunna for wounded Charles Stanhope. Both honours of Vimiera, Corunna, evacuation by the British fleet. The were to be remembered by the Douro, Talavera, Barrosa, Albuhera, Queen’s, 50th and a company of The toast to the ‘Corunna Majors’ on Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Almaraz, Buffs were amongst this exhausted the anniversary of the battle by Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, army when it reached the port of The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse and Corunna and found that the ships Regiment and, celebrated in later Peninsula were won by forebear had not yet arrived. On the 16th years by the 2nd Battalion The regiments. It is not surprising that January 1809, the French Marshal Queen’s Regiment. the second Regimental Day of The Soult attacked the allied force and Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, was defeated. The 50th repeated Albuhera, comes from this War. the bayonet charges, which the French had been unable to face at

10 1811

The Battle of Albuhera and the ‘Die Hards’

Marshal Soult was to receive his centrepieces depicting this deed are the Regimental Day of both The greatest defeat at the battle of among the prized possessions of Buffs and The Middlesex Regiment Albuhera (Albuera), in southern the Regiment. The Buffs recovered and the Middlesex were granted Spain on the 16th May 1811. so quickly from their experience the honour of wearing the name The Buffs (East Kent), the 31st that they were nicknamed ‘The ‘Albuhera’ on their cap badge. (Huntingdonshire) and the Resurrectionists’. 57th (West Middlesex) were all Now, the officers, warrant officers in Marshal Beresford’s allied The 2nd Battalion of the 31st and senior NCOs of The Princess of army. Beresford took up position (2nd/31st) commanded by Wales’s Royal Regiment celebrate against the 23,000 French and L’Estrange, formed square in the the annual Silent Toast Ceremony, Polish force astride a main road rear and stood firm. They inspired when the toast is drunk ‘To the overlooking the village of Albuhera. Wellington to write how, ‘after the Immortal Memory’ of all those of The French attacked in massed other parts of the were our forebear regiments and current columns supported by artillery swept off by cavalry, this little regiment who have given their lives firing grapeshot and came round battalion alone held its ground in the service of their and the allies’ right flank, which was against all the massed French Country. The detail of this unique held by Spanish troops. The Buffs columns’. custom is further explained in Part were pushed into a counter attack III of this Guide. There is a large against the French left flank and Meanwhile, the 57th formed the Regimental Memorial at Albuhera were making good progress when centre of the Brigade that came unveiled by the Duke of Wellington French and Polish up on the left of the 31st, in place in 1997. charged from their right rear and of the Spaniards. For four hours, cut them to pieces. Only eighty- they withstood a terrible pounding The 2nd/67th were part of the allied four men survived out of 728. The by grapeshot as they engaged force, which defeated the French a Regimental Colour was captured, the French masses at very close month before, at Barrosa, but the with its killed, but later range, never budging except to Peninsular War went on for another recaptured by The Royal . close ranks, always on their feet. three years as the French were The King’s Colour was returned Colonel Inglis, their commanding driven back through the Pyrenees after being found by a inside officer, was shot through the to their own soil. The fighting the of a hideously gored and lung. Refusing to have his wound stopped after the fall of Toulouse in apparently dead officer, Lieutenant dressed, he lay propped on an arm April 1814. The forebear regiments Latham. He had taken it when its in front of his lacerated Colours and were not directly involved in the ensign was wounded by gunfire. kept exhorting his men, ‘Die Hard, 100 day campaign, which finally Hussars swarmed around him 57th, Die Hard!’. Ninety-nine men ended with the defeat of Napoleon and slashed him mercilessly, but did die, whilst 333 lay wounded at Waterloo in 1815, though the 35th they could not wrench the out of a total of 600. Marshal were in reserve at the Battle and from his grip. He survived with Soult wrote of the British Army occupied Paris as part of the Army one arm chopped off by a surgeon at Albuhera, ‘There is no beating of Occupation. It was the Duchess and a crevice across his nose and these troops. They were completely of Richmond, wife of the Colonel of cheek staunched, to receive from beaten, the day was mine and the 35th, who held the famous ball his brother officers a gold . they did not know it and would not on the eve of Waterloo. He was also promoted. Silver run’. Albuhera was to become

11 1811

The Buffs at Albuhera 1805-1826 The Tiger

After twenty-one years of active service in India, the 67th (South Hampshire) was ordered back to England in 1826. In commemoration of this, King George IV authorised the figure of the Royal Bengal Tiger with the word ‘India’ superscribed to be borne on its Regimental Colour and other appointments. The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment retains this honour today and maintains the nickname of ‘The Tigers’. 1815-1854 Small Wars

The period between the (East Middlesex) served in Ireland, Royal West Kent Regiment. It went and the , Malta and Canada. The overseas in 1825 and served in was dominated 37th (North Hampshire) served ten Ceylon, , Halifax () by ‘small’ wars throughout the of these years at home, thirteen and . Empire. The Queen’s and the in Canada, nine in and 31st (Huntingdonshire) served in Jamaica, and eight in Ceylon. The There were two tragic incidents the 1st Afghan War of 1839-1842, 67th (South Hampshire), apart from involving troopships in this period. whilst the Buffs (East Kent) and their long service in India (1805- In 1825 several companies of the the 50th (‘Queens Own’ Regiment 1826), went abroad again in 1832 to 31st (Huntingdonshire) sailed for from 1831) escorted prisoners serve in Gibraltar, the West Indies, Calcutta in the East Indiaman Kent, to Australia and took part in the and Canada until 1841. which caught fire in high seas in the Gwalior campaign of 1843. The 35th Bay of Biscay and many lives were served in the West Indies, Ireland On the 25th March 1824, the 97th lost. The Queen’s were on board and Mauritius, becoming The 35th Foot, or Earl of Ulster’s Regiment the Birkenhead in 1852, when it ‘Royal’ Sussex Regiment in 1832. was raised at ; in due struck a rock and sank, fifty miles The 57th (West Middlesex) went to course it was to become the 2nd from Simon’s Bay in . Australia and India, whilst the 77th Battalion of The Queen’s Own Most of the troops were drowned.

12 1845-1846 The First Sikh War

The of India had assumed the River Sutlej, the boundary (Huntingdonshire) and 50th that the British withdrawal from between the Punjab and British (Queen’s Own) fought with great Afghanistan in 1842 meant that India and there then followed the distinction in all of them. their grip on India was weak. A battles of Moodki, Ferozeshah, Sikh Army subsequently crossed Aliwal and Sobraon. The 31st

The 31st Foot and Sergeant Mccabe at the Battle of Sobraon

The Battle of Sobraon

The defeat of the Sikhs at the Battle last turned and fled they left 10,000 Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ of Sobraon on the 10th February casualties and sixty-seven guns Mess usually through the ranks of 1846 marked the end of the 1st behind them. Sergeant McCabe the Battalion, who line the route. Sikh War. The British assaulted the was commissioned and proved With the ’s enemy positions, but received heavy to be a hero again at The Siege permission, all of the Colours casualties and at one point it was of with the 32nd Foot are displayed in their respective thought that the battle was lost. (a Forebear Regiment of today’s Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Both officers carrying the Colours Rifles). The 50th emerged from the Mess for the Day. This is the only of the 31st were killed, and at that battle commanded by a , time when the Colours are housed moment when defeat seemed having lost half their rank and file. outside of the Officers’ Mess. A inevitable, Sergeant Bernard fragment of the Colour carried by McCabe of the 31st picked up the The Princess of Wales’s Royal Sergeant McCabe is enclosed in Regimental Colour, dashed forward Regiment continues to remember a unique piece of silver, which is under heavy fire and planted it the action of Sergeant McCabe known as The Huntingdonshire Salt on the highest point of the Sikh in all battalions. Each battalion and is held by the 2nd Battalion. entrenchment. This put new life appoints a Sobraon Sergeant for This is used for the ‘salt ceremony’, into the 31st, 50th and the other the year and on the anniversary when newly joined members of the regiments, which then took their of the battle he has the honour of Battalion are invited ‘to take salt objectives in desperate, hand-to- carrying the Regimental Colour with the Regiment’. hand fighting. When the Sikhs at from the Officers’ Mess to the

13 1854-1856 The Crimean War

The war in the Crimea was the Regimental recipient of the newly result of Russian claims to the instituted Victoria Cross. However, right to protect the Holy Places the Regiment’s forebears main in Palestine, which were then in contribution to the War was in the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. September 1855 at Sevastopol. Britain and France were allies The Buffs, 31st, 50th, 57th, 77th of Turkey and when the Ottoman and 97th (Earl of Ulster’s) were sultan declared war on Russia, all awarded the battle honour of the British Army became involved. Sevastopol and the 8th September The 50th (Queen’s Own), 57th became the Regimental Day of (West Middlesex) and the 77th The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent (East Middlesex) were at the Regiment. Two soldiers of the 57th Alma River and at the Battle of and one of the 97th won VCs in this Inkerman in 1854, where Sergeant particularly hard fought battle. Moyse J Park of the 77th became the first of The Buffs

1856-1860 and up until 1880 The Second War

The 2nd China War is worth medical apprentice attached to In 1857, the 31st (Huntingdonshire), a special mention, as The the 67th, Ensign Chaplin, who was 35th (Royal Sussex), 37th (North Queen’s, The Buffs, the 31st only fifteen years three months Hampshire) and 50th (Queen’s Own) (Huntingdonshire) and the 67th old, the youngest recipient of this coped effectively with the Indian (South Hampshire) all participated coveted for valour. During , whilst in 1860, the 50th, 57th in this conflict. It involved an the campaign, Private Moyse of and 70th were fighting the Maoris Anglo-French Expeditionary Force, The Buffs won immortality by in New Zealand. The 67th played which compelled the Chinese to choosing to be beheaded, rather a full part in the 2nd Afghan War observe trading treaties. The most than ‘kowtow’ to the Mandarin of 1878–1880, and The Buffs and significant battle was the taking of into whose hands he had fallen. 57th fought the Zulus in 1879. The the Taku Forts on the 12th August The War ended following the allied East Surreys and The Royal Sussex 1860, when the 67th won four out occupation of Peking. fought the Dervishes in the , of the five VCs awarded for the whilst The Queen’s and The 67th action. The fifth VC was won by a were in Burma.

‘Steady the Buffs!’ This expression has been used 1857 a 2nd Battalion was raised major in The Fusiliers for many years by people with no in and moved to Malta and, to encourage recruits on connection with the Regiment, where it shared a barracks with drill parades, was wont to shout but who assume that it originated the . The ‘Steady, The Buffs! The Fusiliers in some desperate battle. The of the 2nd Buffs, named are watching you!’ truth is less exciting. In August Cotter, had been a sergeant-

14 Ensign Chaplin of the 67th Foot at the Battle of Taku Forts

15 1870 - 1881 The

Edward Cardwell, Liberal Secretary to form the two battalions of The of State for War, introduced a Hampshire Regiment and the number of major reforms in the 50th and 97th came together Army during this period. This as the two battalions of The included the abolition of purchasing Queen’s Own Royal West commissions and promotion. Kent Regiment. The 57th In 1872, he linked battalions in and the 77th became the a regiment to ensure regular 1st and 2nd Battalions exchanges between home and of The Middlesex overseas postings and gave each Regiment. These regiment a county affiliation and changes are a recruiting and training depot illustrated in within it. In due course, The the ‘Family Queen’s became The Queen’s Tree’ at the (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, back of this The Buffs became The Buffs (East Guide. Kent) Regiment, the 31st and 70th became The 1st and 2nd Battalions The East Surrey Regiment, the 35th amalgamated with the 107th to form two battalions of The Royal Sussex Regiment (The 107th was originally the 3rd Regiment of Bengal European Infantry, raised by The in 1853 and transferred to the British Army, as the 107th after the Indian Mutiny), the 37th and 67th united 1899 - 1902 1908 The Boer War The Haldane Reforms

All of the forebear regiments of Sussex and occupied Pretoria. In 1908 the Liberal War Minster, The Princess of Wales’s Royal The 2nd East Surreys were also Mr Haldane, converted the Militia Regiment were represented in the in action at Tugela and at Colenso into the , which Boer War in South Africa and the with The Queen’s. At Pieter’s Hill, meant that these battalions Volunteers provided reinforcements Private Curtis of the East Surreys provided reinforcements for war. on operations. The 2nd Queen’s was to win the VC for bringing in He converted the title ‘Volunteers’ fought at the Tugela River and Spion his wounded Commanding Officer into the ‘’, later Kop, where they were with the 2nd under intense fire. The Boer the ‘Territorial Army’ and now Middlesex and were also at The ‘Kommandos’ fought on until finally the ‘Army Reserve’. This new Relief of Ladysmith. The 2nd Buffs compelled by Lord ’ policy force was re-equipped and made pursued the Boer leader Piet Cronje of attrition to end the war on the 1st an integral part of the county until he surrendered at Paardeberg, June 1902. The 1st Hampshires did regiments, usually bearing the where they fought side-by-side not participate in the Boer War, but same names and badges. Most of with The 2nd Hampshires and later fought in the Aden hinterland and the Regiment’s forebears acquired went on to Bloemfontein, where Somaliland in 1903-1904. two or more battalions each. These they were joined by the 1st Royal battalions helped form the basis for further expansion during the First World War.

16 1914-1918 The First World War

The First World War, which followed the 4th Middlesex, and on the day of . Earlier in the day, he had the assassination of Archduke the Armistice, the 11th November risked his life many times by going Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo and 1918, when the 2nd Middlesex, out of his trench to rescue wounded the eventual invasion of The Low pursuing the Germans, reached colleagues. This second battle of Countries by the German Kaiser’s practically the same spot, in the Ypres was to last five weeks and , is well documented. All Battalion there were still some men included the first use of German of the Regiment’s forebears were of the original 4th Battalion who gas. The 2nd Battalion of the East represented in huge numbers had fought right through, from the Surreys also distinguished itself in during the Conflict and they fought first shots to the last. In 1914, The the battle and the 23rd April was in nearly all of the campaigns. In 1st Battalion The Queen’s Royal chosen as a special anniversary. this short Guide it is not possible West Surrey Regiment was reduced, The Buffs, Hampshires, Queen’s to go into much detail of the Great in just three months, from 1,000 on Own Royal West Kents and The War or to do justice to the scale of parade to thirty-two. There were Middlesex Regiment earned the heroism and unflinching devotion many memorable episodes and same battle honour of ‘Ypres 1915’. to duty. The number of names on hard fought battle honours added to The Queen’s, Royal Sussex regimental war memorials tell the the forebears’ Colours. Regiment, Hampshire Regiment, tale; for example, 8,000 Queen’s, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent 5,688 Buffs, 6,866 Queen’s Own Ypres, the 23rd , became Regiment and The Middlesex Royal West Kents, 6,000 East the Regimental Day of The East Regiment gained a number of Surreys, 6,800 Royal Sussex, 8,026 Surreys. Hill 60 was successfully battle honours from the Gallipoli Hampshires and 12,694 officers and defended from the 19th to the 21st campaign in 1915, when the attempt men of The Middlesex Regiment. April by the 1st Battalion. Within was made to open another front The ranks of the regiments were twenty-four hours, Lieutenant against the Turks. The Hampshires swelled, as the war went on, by Roupell, 2nd Lieutenant Handley were to remember Gallipoli Day regular reservists, Territorials, Geary and Private Dwyer all gained on the 25th April each year, when Kitchener volunteers and VCs and seven others were awarded the landing from the steamer River conscripts, who all contributed to The Distinguished Conduct Medal. Clyde took place at Helles in the the eventual defeat of . Nineteen-year-old Private Dwyer face of almost impossible odds. The first British infantry unit to leapt on to a parapet in the face Men of the 2nd Hampshires were open fire on the Germans, near of German throwers caught in the water and shot and 1908 on the 22nd , was and dispersed them with his own drowned. The landing eventually Battle Headquarters of the 1st Middlesex Regiment at the Battle of Bailleul The Haldane Reforms

17 attack to the , in the Pas de Calais region, on the 30th . This was a particularly bloody battle fought by, amongst others, The 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions of The Royal Sussex Regiment; The Southdowns Brigade. The battle lasted less than five hours. Seventeen officers and three hundred and forty- nine men were killed with over one thousand wounded or taken prisoner. N V Carter was awarded the Victoria Cross. The event became known as ‘The Day that Sussex Died’. The Regiment’s forebears fought notably at virtually all of the battles of the Western Front and also gained battle honours from the campaigns in Palestine, Aden, Mesopotamia, India, Macedonia, Egypt and Italy. Four battalions of The Buffs were to form a key part of the final assault of Lieutenant The Hindenburgh line in 1918, which helped bring The Great succeeded, although the Battalion wounded and missing in the first War to a close. A perusal of the had sustained large numbers of ten minutes. The Queen’s, The consolidated list of VCs won by casualties and the Dardanelles Buffs and The Queen’s Own Royal The Regiment, which is in Part III campaign itself ended in failure. West Kents took part in the same of this Guide illustrates some of The battalion took part in the action. By 1916 The Middlesex the sacrifices made. One typical more successful evacuation of Regiment had fifteen battalions example of outstanding courage the peninsula in . in Flanders, which included new was demonstrated by Lieutenant Eighteen-year-old 2nd Lieutenant ‘Kitchener’ units such as the 16th Colonel Dawson of The Queen’s Moor won the Regiment’s first VC (Public Schools) Battalion, the Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He of the war for most conspicuous 17th and 23rd (Football) Battalions was in the casualty list seven times bravery and resource during and the 18th and 19th (Public with three bars to his Distinguished operations south of Krithia, Works) Battalions. The first black Service Order before he died of Dardanelles. The Hampshires were infantry officer in the British Army, wounds at the age of 27 in 1918. to raise thirty-six battalions by the Lieutenant Walter Tull, served with The East Surreys inadvertently end of the war. the 17th Footballers’ Battalion, then enlisted, reputedly, the youngest 23rd Battalion of The Middlesex soldier of the War; Private 1916 was to mark the Battle of the Regiment. George Lewis was just twelve years Somme from July until November, old, when he joined at Kingston in and all of the forebear regiments Less well-known than the Somme, . Following an appeal were represented in the appalling was the preceding Battle of Boar’s from his mother, he was sent home slaughter which ended with 419,000 Head. This was a diversionary and discharged! British dead and some 316,000 wounded. On the first day of the battle alone, there were 57,000 8th East Surreys - Somme 1916 casualties, the highest losses that the British Army had ever suffered in one day. The manner in which ‘B’ Company of The 8th Surreys advanced on that fateful day was to become legendary. The Officer in Command, Captain Neville, and Private Fursey kicked footballs into No-Man’s Land to encourage the advance. Their objective of Montauban was taken, though the Battalion lost 446 men, killed,

18 2nd Hampshires disembark from SS River Clyde at Cape Helles, Gallipoli

The Bombing Party

19 1918-1919 Russia

A campaign of unique interest, Russians from the ‘’ Bolsheviks. troops, one company of Japanese which involved the East Surreys, One action of the campaign infantry, 600 cossack cavalry and a Royal Sussex, Hampshires and took place at Dukhovskaya in Royal Navy gun detachment of four The Middlesex Regiment was in Siberia, where Colonel Ward, who twelve-pounders on two armoured Russia in the period 1918/1919. commanded the 25th Battalion of trains. This is an interesting During this period the Regiment The Middlesex Regiment, was in compared with modern was to gain the battle honours defence. He was under command times! The battle was won, but of Murmansk, Archangel, of a Japanese colonel and had British troops were withdrawn from Dukhovskaya and Siberia. This been given command of a reserve Russia by the end of 1919. was part of an unsuccessful force consisting of one of his own international effort at the end of companies and a the Great War to save the ‘White’ section, over one battalion of Czech

1919-1939 Between the Two World Wars

During this period all of the the Queen’s, The Buffs, The Queen’s were scarce. There was also an forebear regiments carried out Own Royal West Kent Regiment and acute lack of investment in modern tours of duty overseas in India, The Hampshires were separating equipment, which was not to bode the West Indies, Palestine and Jew and Arab in Palestine in the well for the beginning of the Second elsewhere. Most of the regiments late 1930s. However, the Army World War. were represented in the rebellion was cut in size, promotion was in Ireland in the early 1920s, whilst extremely slow and resources

20 1939-1945 The Second World War

Major Le Patourel of the Hampshires at The Battle of Tebourba Gap -

The Princess of Wales’s Royal In the Far East in the same year, forebears played a full part in 1st Regiment was represented by its The 1st Middlesex put up a stout and 8th Army operations in North forebears in every theatre of the defence at Hong Kong, but like the Africa, five of them gaining the Second World War. Six battalions 2nd East Surreys at Singapore, they battle honour of El Alamein. In of The Queen’s, three of The Buffs, were forced to surrender. to the 1st Army, Major Le Patourel three of The East Surreys, the 2nd Singapore, The 2nd East Surreys of The Hampshires won the VC at Battalion of The Hampshires, five had held up two Japanese divisions Tebourba Gap in December 1942, battalions of The Royal Sussex, for four days and their losses had when he led four volunteers against five battalions of The Queen’s forced an amalgamation with German machine-gun positions. Own Royal West Kents and three the 1st Leicesters (then known At one point, during this action, he battalions of The Middlesex appropriately as ‘Tigers’). The went forward alone with a pistol went to France with the British combined battalion was called and some grenades to deal with the Expeditionary Force. They were the British Battalion, which is still machine-guns at close-quarters. hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with remembered on the 20th December His most gallant conduct and self- the German Blitzkrieg (Lightning each year, when an appropriate sacrifice, his brilliant leadership War) when it began on the 10th signal is sent by Regimental and tenacious devotion to duty in May 1940. Most of them managed Headquarters to the Regimental the face of the enemy were beyond to return to England through Headquarters of the Royal Anglian praise. This four-day battle, fought Dunkirk, , Cherbourg and Regiment. Many of the survivors at a critical time in the campaign, St Nazaire, but four of the twenty- were to die building the notorious was the triumph of individual three battalions were overwhelmed Japanese Death Railway. leadership and corporate discipline and forced to surrender. The which the Times correspondent East Surreys, Hampshires and Battalions of The Buffs, Hampshires reported as ‘an astonishing feat of Middlesex gained the battle honour and Queen’s Own Royal West Kent arms which inspired the 1st Army’. of ‘Dunkirk’. Regiment were to help with the Forebear regiments participated successful defence of Malta in the in the enemy defeat in Tunisia The Royal Sussex took a full part period 1940-1942. and the subsequent invasion of in the Abyssinian and Syrian in 1943. Part of the drive campaigns against the Italians in 1942 was to prove a better year for North through Italy included the 1941, whilst The Queen’s gained the allies with victories in the desert amphibious landings at Salerno. two battle honours from Tobruk. and in Russia. The Regiment’s

21 1943 The Battle of Salerno, Italy

The Battle of Salerno is the third at the knee’. 169 Brigade and victory from the Battle of Salerno. Regimental Day of The Princess of 128 Brigade were in the initial The Germans had managed to Wales’s Royal Regiment and the assaulting divisions and by the end extricate themselves and had anniversary on the 9th September of the first day; the British X dictated the pace of the battle; 1992 marked the formation of the was ashore with 23,000 troops, 80 however, the allies were not driven new Regiment. The day was well , 325 guns and 2,000 vehicles. back to the sea and the objectives chosen, as it commemorated the However, most of the objectives had were eventually seized, thanks exemplary courage of members not been taken and the enemy still to the doggedness of those nine of The Queen’s and Hampshires, occupied the dominating heights. forebear battalions. who landed on the beaches in The days following the landings 1943. Six territorial battalions of were a mess of confused fighting, Following Salerno, the allied forces The Queen’s fought in the battle sporadic attacks, prisoners taken, then continued their advance and within 169 (Queen’s) Brigade and men killed, strong points over-run The Buffs, East Surreys, Royal 131 (Queen’s) Brigade alongside and abandoned and sometimes Sussex, Hampshires and Queen’s three Hampshire battalions of 128 over-run again. This situation Own Royal West Kents were all to (Hampshire) Brigade. In addition, culminated in ‘Black Monday’ on gain the battle honour of a number of were the 13th September, when the last on their way through Italy. Some manned by Hampshire soldiers and major German counter-attack took of the fiercest fighting followed Queensmen. place, but this was blunted with the the landings at , where the help of Naval Gunfire Support and 2/7th Middlesex had landed in The idea was that the allies would air strikes. On the 17th September, January 1944. A month later, the advance quicker through Italy and the three Queen’s battalions of 131 2nd Queen’s Brigade, and the 1st capture Naples within a few days, Brigade joined the battle and by Buffs helped to retrieve a desperate as Churchill said, ‘Why crawl up the next day, nine of the Regiment’s situation. the leg like a harvest bug from forebear battalions were in the the ankle upwards? Let us strike bridgehead. Both sides claimed

22 1944-1945 Invasion of Europe and Kohima

The 6th June 1944 marked the West Kent Regiment. The Battalion The 2nd Queen’s were serving with long-awaited invasion of Europe held out for fifteen days against a the at this time and gained across the English Channel at complete Japanese , thereby ‘Chindits’ as a unique battle honour, Normandy. The 1st Battalion The buying enough time for two British based on the Force rather than on Hampshire Regiment were the divisions, which included the 1st a specific location or action. The first British infantry to land on the Queen’s, to arrive and prevent the 2nd Buffs had fought through to Normandy beaches in France and invasion of India. This was the Mandalay and the 9th Royal Sussex The Middlesex Regiment was also turning point against the Japanese fought in Burma alongside the to gain the battle honour of the in Burma, for thereafter they were Americans and Chinese under the 6th June. As the allies advanced never able to mount an effective command of General ‘Vinegar Joe’ across North-West Europe, many offensive. It was at Kohima that Stilwell. The Regiment’s forebears battalions and individuals were in Lance Harman of The were, therefore, contributing to all converted unfamiliar roles with Royal West Kents won the VC by fronts as the end of The Second tanks, artillery and as paratroops. first killing a Japanese machine gun World War approached in 1945. One such individual was a Royal crew and capturing the gun single- The allied push continued across Sussex officer, Captain Queripel, handed, then rushing another post North-West Europe and North who was awarded a posthumous VC alone and killing all five Japanese in up Italy, whilst the war in the Far with the 10th Parachute Battalion at it. He was then killed by a burst of East went on until the dropping in 1944, a battalion largely, enemy machine gun fire. His most of the atom bombs on . The composed of volunteers from the gallant action is commemorated Hampshire Regiment was awarded Royal Sussex Regiment itself. on ‘Kohima Day’ (9th April) each the distinction of ‘Royal’ status by year in all the ’ Messes King George VI in 1946 to mark its 1944 also marked the heroic within the Princess of Wales’s distinguished service during the defence of Kohima by the 4th Royal Regiment, where a corporal war. Battalion The Queen’s Own Royal is selected as ‘Kohima Corporal’.

Lance Corporal Harman earns his Victoria Cross

23 1946-1989

The World rejoiced as the Second emergency call-outs, which shed on operations, the Regiment’s World War came to an end and included many realistic live-firing forebear battalions played their full fascism collapsed in Europe. training packages in Canada. part in winning the Cold War, which However, even in March 1945, the Germany was the base for the 1st finally ended, dramatically, with the British Prime Minister, Winston British Corps of 55,000 men and pulling down of the Berlin Wall in Churchill, was saying that ‘an British armour and soldiers became 1989. Germany also served as the iron curtain has descended mechanised infantry experts mounting-base for many operations across the continent of Europe’. equipped with various armoured elsewhere in the world. The last of The fence vehicles, such as Humbers, the Regiment’s forebears to serve was constructed by the Russians Saracens, Ferret Scout Cars and in Germany, just after the end of the and they began to expand their the Armoured Fighting Vehicle 430 Cold War, was The 1st Battalion The communist powerbase. 1948 Series. Although blood was not Queen’s Regiment, at Minden. marked the communist take-over of Czechoslovakia and this was closely followed by the Berlin blockade and Russia’s first atomic bomb test. The establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the rival Warsaw Pact set the scene for the remainder of the Cold War. The 2nd Battalion of The Queen’s Royal Regiment was in the Berlin Garrison, during the blockade and every single one of the present Regiment’s forebears served in Germany during the Cold War. This was a busy period of numerous long exercises and short-notice 1st Battalion of the Queen’s on exercise in 1948-1956 The Middle East

For most of the Regiment’s however, the Battalion ended up well-known of 1956. In forebears, the Middle East featured experiencing aggression from October 1956, the Israelis invaded as an area for operational tours the Egyptians at Suez, where Egyptian Sinai, and during the period 1948–1956. they carried out internal security and France informed the United Battalions from The East Surreys, duties. Guard duties were shared Nations that if fighting broke out The Royal Sussex, The Royal with The Buffs during 1951/52. On around the they would Hampshires and The Middlesex one occasion a major of The Buffs be forced to intervene. On the 5th Regiments tackled problems was shot through the head, whilst November, British and French associated with the Stern Gang travelling in a Royal Sussex carrier! paratroops dropped in the area of and the Jews’ declaration of the Miraculously, he survived. The East Port Said. Crook Independent State of Israel in Surreys were also deployed to of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Palestine. Suez in 1953, where the Battalion was commanding the 3rd Battalion The Royal Sussex spent from suffered a number of casualties at The Parachute Regiment for the 1949–1953 in Suez, Egypt and Telel-Kebir. drop. The 1st Battalion The Queen’s on a six month tour to . The Queen’s Own Royal West Kents Own Royal West Kents took part The latter deployment was to was the only Regimental forebear in an amphibious landing, but the counter potential Israeli action, to become embroiled in the more opposition was light.

24 1950-1953

The Korean War deserves a special dramatic breakout from the Pusan a result of this action, Private L mention in this Guide, as it is, at Perimeter into which the United Cobby, a stretcher-bearer with ‘A’ the time of writing, the most recent Nations forces had been forced to Company was awarded the Military of the Regiment’s battle honours. retreat, and crossed the Naktong Medal. The communist North Korea made River in a major assault operation a sudden surprise attack against gaining their objective and an MC The Battalion remained on the democratic in for gallantry for operations in Korea until May 1951, 1950, determined to remove the Lawrence in the process. There during which time they had to pro-Western ‘puppet’ government. were forty enemy dead on the carry out assault, withdrawal, and The first bloody introduction to the position, whilst the Battalion defensive operations, often during Korean War for the Hong Kong sustained fourteen casualties. The extremely harsh winter conditions. Garrison was on the 8th July 1950 Middlesex were reinforced by a draft During this campaign the Battalion when five soldiers, including two of one officer and 135 suffered 136 killed and wounded. non-commissioned officers from from The Queen’s Royal Regiment the Middlesex Regiment, were killed to form their ‘C’ Company. The Battalion’s seven awarded whilst aboard HMS Jamaica during honours far exceeded those bombardment by enemy shore On 14th/15th February 1951 whilst awarded to other British units in batteries off the east coast of Korea leading the 27th Brigade advance the campaign. They included the just north of the 38th Parallel. northwards, the Battalion, under DSO, awarded to the Commanding the command of Major ‘Roly’ Gwyn, Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A The 1st Battalion The Middlesex standing in for Lieutenant Colonel Man, and an MC for Second Regiment joined The 1st Battalion Man who was commanding the Lieutenant Reed. A number of The Argyll and Brigade at the time, took part in the individuals from other forebear Highlanders as the first British key battle for Hill 112 at Chaun-ni. regiments served on attachment Infantry battalions to arrive in the The enemy were driven from the to different units in Korea. Major theatre of operations in August Hill as night fell and the Battalion General M F Reynolds CB, a 1950. They became part of the 27th awaited the inevitable Chinese Queensman later to become Commonwealth Infantry Brigade counter attack. This came at dawn the last Colonel of the Queen’s and the United Nations forces the following morning and after Regiment, served as a pledged to defend South Korea. In heavy fighting the enemy were with The 1st Battalion, September, they took part in the ejected by bayonet charge. As The Royal Regiment.

25 1948 - 1959 Withdrawal from Empire (Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus)

After the end of the Second World bar to his MC. The Queen’s Royal not be granted independence. War, there was a great deal of Regiment served there between The National Organisation of agitation amongst many of Britain’s 1954 and 1957, killing forty-six Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) was born colonies as local populations strove terrorists, though losing seven of to achieve Enosis (independence) for independence, though the their own ranks killed in action. by controlling the Greek Cypriot majority carried out the transition The soldier’s life was dominated by community and wearing the British peacefully. It was also the period, jungle patrols and ambushes, which down. This was to be achieved by a when all of the Regiments’ ranks lasted from a few days to two or combination of guerrilla warfare, were filled with a high proportion three weeks and on average it took terrorism and propaganda. The of National Servicemen. All fifty days of patrolling to achieve a Middlesex arrived in Cyprus, with maintained the traditions and high kill. Malaya gained independence their families, for a three year tour standards of their regiments and in 1957 and the campaign became in 1955. On arrival, the Battalion were to remain a key feature of life the model example of the success had to clear the streets of rioters in the infantry up until 1963. of British counter-insurgency before being able to occupy their techniques. quarters! Their operations during In Malaya the indigenous minority the tour were dominated by cordon Chinese communists, who The campaign in Kenya lasted from and searches and in 1957 they supported Communist Terrorists 1952–1960. The local Mau Mau, succeeded in capturing a leading (CTs) wanted independence on their who based their support on the rebel leader. The Middlesex terms and a State of Emergency Kikuyu tribe, began killing white Regiment’s tour overlapped with existed in the country from 1948 landowners and the indigenous The Queen’s Own Royal West Kents, until 1960. By 1954, there were population who were loyal to the who were deployed immediately 45,000 troops in the country, colonial regime. The Buffs and after their Suez experience in 1957. including British, Australians and the Devons formed the reinforcing They served in Cyprus until 1959, New Zealanders. The Queen’s Own 39 Brigade in 1953 and deployed carrying out similar duties to the Royal West Kents fought the CTs to the Aberdare Mountains and Middlesex. At the height of the from 1951–54, killing a total of forests. They rounded up suspects troubles, in 1958, The East Surreys 106 guerrillas, and were relieved in Nairobi in 1954 and spent some deployed to Cyprus with 19 Infantry by The Royal Hampshires, who time on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Brigade in order to carry out served in Malaya until 1956; The By the end of the tour, The Buffs security duties in . A Greek Commanding Officer, Lieutenant had killed 290 gangsters for the Turkish plan to make Cyprus an Colonel P H Man, OBE, MC was to loss of one man. independent state was endorsed in be awarded the DSO and The Sultan 1959 and the British retained their of Selangor’s Meritorious Service In July 1954, the British government sovereign bases. However, all was Medal and Major Jim Symes of The announced that, because of its not to remain peaceful between the Royal Hampshires was awarded a strategic importance, Cyprus would two main communities.

1st Royal Hampshires resupply in the jungle

26 1959-1970 Amalgamations

Operations against the Mau Mau in Kenya

In 1957 there was a major review the union of the six former Battalion The Queen’s Regiment of British defence policy, which regiments and the sword was (Middlesex). The suffixes were reduced the number of infantry their martial tradition.) However, dropped in 1968, once it became battalions of the Line from all four regiments wore their own known that the 4th Battalion sixty-seven to fifty-two. In 1959 distinctive badges. The Royal was to be disbanded. The 4th The Queen’s Royal Regiment Hampshires wore the Wyvern as Battalion was reduced to company amalgamated with The East Surrey their Brigade cap-badge. In 1960, strength (Albuhera Company) Regiment to form The Queen’s the former Regiments’ depots were in 1970 and finally disbanded Royal Surrey Regiment and in 1961 reorganised and Howe Barracks, in 1973 in its final role as the The Buffs joined with The Queen’s became the Home Infantry Demonstration Battalion Own Royal West Kents to become Counties’ Brigade Depot. Howe at The School of Infantry. In 1970, The Queen’s Own Buffs, The Royal Barracks continued to feature The Royal Hampshire Regiment Kent Regiment. The Royal Sussex, prominently as the home for each narrowly avoided amalgamation Royal Hampshire and The Middlesex of the regular battalions of the new with the Regiment Regiments were not affected at this Regiment and, until 2013, housed within the Brigade. At stage, though The Royal Sussex and the Regimental Headquarters. the last moment this plan was The Middlesex Regiments did join countermanded and ‘The Minden the newly formed Queen’s Royal Pressure was still on the Army Company’ was formed, with the Surreys and The Queen’s Own Buffs for reductions and the newly balance of the Royal Hampshires as members of The Home Counties formed Home Counties Brigade transferring to serve with the 1st Brigade. The Royal Hampshires was under pressure to form a Battalion the Gloucestershire became part of the . large regiment. This occurred Regiment. However, The 1st The lasted until the next on 31st December 1966 when, Battalion The Royal Hampshire round of amalgamations in 1966. initially, the four battalions retained Regiment was reformed in 1972. individual suffixes of the former Between 1973 and 1992, the current The Home Counties Brigade regiments. Thus the regular Regiment’s regular forebears introduced an unusual system of battalions became 1st Battalion consisted of three battalions of The identity, whereby its four regular The Queen’s Regiment (Queen’s Queen’s Regiment and the single battalions wore the same cap Surreys), 2nd Battalion The battalion of The Royal Hampshire badge of the crown with a Queen’s Regiment (Queen’s Own Regiment. sword penetrating . (The Buffs), 3rd Battalion The Queen’s six points of the crown symbolised Regiment (Royal Sussex) and 4th

27 1961-1966 Counter Insurgency

British Guiana went through a series of controversial elections and some instability in the early 1960s, prior to its independence as the State of Guyana in 1966. The Royal Hampshires, as the last West Indies Garrison Battalion, had a company posted there in 1960; the rest of the Battalion was in Jamaica and British Honduras and had to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Hattie. The newly amalgamated Queen’s Own Buffs also served In British Guiana in 1964 and The Middlesex Regiment saw the Country’s independence. The internal security duties included crowd dispersal, arrests of suspects, the seizure of weapons, and the training of local home guard units. Effective use was made of naval and military helicopters in cordon and search operations.

The other main operational task in 1st Royal Sussex in Southern Arabia this period was in Borneo, where The Queen’s Own Buffs and The Royal Hampshire Regiment were Whilst the Regiment’s forebears by thirty soldiers from the Queen’s to serve at the latter end of the were being reorganised during the Surreys Territorial Army Emergency confrontation in 1966. Indonesian 1960s, a number of operational Reserve, known as ‘Ever Readies’. aggression was eventually defeated counter-insurgency tasks were Cordon and search operations, after an extremely successful carried out. The Regiment was patrols and guards were the counter-insurgency campaign. represented in Aden, British Guiana normal tasks carried out by both and Borneo. battalions. One platoon commander, Lieutenant J J Smith, who was The Buffs had spent their last serving with The Royal Sussex, but operational tour in the colony of who was from the 5th Battalion The Aden, South Arabia in 1958/59, Middlesex Regiment, won the MC where the Battalion was involved in for his part in a successful ambush. the defence of the protected state Great Britain finally withdrew its of Dhala, which had been invaded forces from Aden in 1967. by Yemen. The main period of troubles lasted from 1961–1967 as a civil war broke out in South Arabia between forces in the North under pro-Egyptian Abdullah Sallai and the royalists in the South supported by . The Northern forces encouraged rebel activity against the British at Aden, which was mainly coordinated from the mountainous Radfan. The newly amalgamated Queen’s Surreys saw action in 1961, whilst The Royal Sussex deployed in 1965, reinforced

28 1969-1991 (Pre Amalgamation)

The campaign in Northern Ireland , which resulted in by violent means. The Provisional dominated the Regiment’s life from three days of savage fighting within IRA (PIRA) launched its terrorist 1969 to 1992; The Queen’s and Londonderry and the spread of campaign against the security Royal Hampshire Regiments were violence and Catholic ‘No-Go’ areas forces, the population and the to spend a total of thirty-six tours around the Province. On the 13th, Government, whilst the Official IRA in The Province. The majority of The Northern Ireland Government (OIRA) also maintained a campaign the deployments were of four to six asked Westminster for troops to up until 1972. The 3rd Battalion months duration; however the total assist to keep the peace. of The Queen’s Regiment, which includes seven resident eighteen The first troops deployed onto the was beginning a resident tour of months to two-year tours. The streets on the 13th August 1969 , joined the 2nd Battalion latest round of sectarian violence and they were followed two days in West Belfast in 1970, as the in Northern Ireland broke out in later by The 2nd Battalion worsened. The first British 1968, as the enmity between the Queen’s Regiment (Queen’s Own soldier was killed in nationalist and loyalist populations Buffs), which was on a resident and the Regiment’s first fatality was came to a head. The Northern tour in at the time. The Private Carter of The 2nd Battalion Ireland Civil Rights Association Battalion deployed to West Belfast, The Queen’s Regiment, who was (NICRA) was formed to reverse whilst in the same month The killed by IRA gunmen on the 14th the anti-Catholic legislation in 1st Battalion (Queen’s Surreys) September. This article does not Northern Ireland and began a deployed to Londonderry and intend to develop the history of the campaign of peaceful marches The Royal Hampshires arrived in recent troubles in Northern Ireland, and demonstrations. Violence and Belfast. At first, all of the troops but forebear battalions were to rioting, however, began to occur, were warmly welcomed, particularly continue to serve in the Province, as extremists on both sides of the by the Roman Catholic population as rural or urban based units right community clashed. The Northern and most military activity was up until the latest amalgamation. Ireland Government was not seen directed at placating and separating In May 1991, The Royal Hampshires to be impartial in its handling of the two communities. However, completed a resident tour of the situation and began to lose the (IRA) Londonderry, whilst The 2nd control. The crisis came to a head began to establish its support Battalion The Queen’s Regiment during the annual protestant amongst disaffected nationalists as finished a six month tour of East Apprentice Boys’ March on the 12th it aimed to achieve a Tyrone in April 1992.

29 1968-1975 Dhofar and The Battle of Mirbat

A special note is made here It immediately became clear that soldiers. The action lasted nearly about the little-known war in the the main enemy thrust was being four hours before a relief force and , which lasted from 1968 directed against the fort, and in an accompanying air strike drove to 1975. The British Government particular against the gun, which off the enemy. During this action supported The Sultan of Oman in was firing at point blank range over Corporal Labalaba was killed, order to prevent Marxist groups open sights. Before long, the entire Tobin fatally injured and in the province of Dhofar from crew were wounded. Captain M J Trooper Takavesi and Walid overthrowing him. Elements of The A Kealy, of the Queen’s Regiment, Khalfan both seriously wounded. 22nd Special Air Service Regiment the Commander of the Special Air were deployed to the area. At dawn Service detachment, and Trooper The official report records that the on 19th July 1972, a large rebel Tobin, who was a trained Medical fate of Mirbat and of its occupants force, about 250 strong, attacked Orderly, then ran under fire from the during the battle depended wholly the Port of Mirbat. When the battle main Special Air Service position to on the resolve of the Civil Military started Corporal Labalaba and help save the gun. Team. But for the action of these Trooper Takavesi, both members nine men and particularly the of a nine-man Special Air Service The rebels continued to attack with leadership of Captain Kealy the Civil Action Team, went to man a great ferocity and made repeated town would have undoubtedly fallen. 25-pounder gun just outside the attempts to take the gun, often from Captain Kealy was awarded the DSO walls of the fort, North-West of the within grenade throwing range and for his outstanding bravery. town. Gunner Walid Khalfan of the despite the supporting fire from Oman Artillery was already there. the other five Special Air Service

Action at Mirbat, Dhofar, 19 July 1972

30 1982 & 1991 The & The

individuals who were serving with The 22nd Special Air Service Regiment during The Gulf War, when Iraqi forces were driven out of . One of the six Royal Hampshires included the future Colonel of the Regiment, then Major R W Dennis. Concurrently, Lieutenant G A Fotheringham of the Queen’s Regiment who was the exchange officer with 40 deployed to support the Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq. No Queen’s or Royal Hampshire Hames of the Queen’s Regiment, battalions were directly committed serving on the traditional to either the Falklands or The Gulf regimental exchange appointment Wars, though during the latter with the , who served conflict The 3rd Battalion The with 40 Commando during the Task Queen’s Regiment maintained the Force’s victory over Argentinean logistic and communications link forces in the in in Cyprus and The 1st Battalion 1982. Other examples are Major prepared to send reinforcements to W R Harber and Captain D G Kuwait from Germany. Strutt, both Queen’s Regiment, who served as staff officers, the A number of individuals did six Royal Hampshire personnel participate in the two conflicts. One who served with The 1st Battalion example was Lieutenant K S W The Regiment and

The Falkland Islands, and Cyprus

Forebear battalions were deployed In 1960, The Royal Hampshire The island of Cyprus has been on operations in the Falkland Regiment had a Company stationed divided into the Northern Turkish Islands after the War of 1982 and in British Honduras, latterly and the Southern Greek had been deployed to the Central Belize, during their West Indies Republic since the Turkish invasion American country of Belize since Garrison tour (1959-1962). However, of 1974. The British maintain the 1970s. There was also the by the early 1970s, the threat the Sovereign Base Areas and ongoing British commitment from neighbouring Guatemala have provided troops for the UN to support the United Nations’ had increased and the size of peacekeeping force UNFICYP, which peacekeeping force in Cyprus. the colony’s defence force was polices the ‘green line’ dividing reviewed. The 2nd Battalion The the two communities. The 3rd The Royal Hampshires arrived in Queen’s Regiment deployed for a Battalion The Queen’s Regiment the Falkland Islands very shortly six month tour in 1976 and the 3rd was deployed on a six month tour after the war in December 1982. Battalion followed in 1977, at a time to Cyprus in 1972/73 and The 2nd The threat still existed from when a major reinforcement of the Battalion was there in 1981/82. Argentinean aggression and the colony took place. The 1st Battalion Battalion formed an important conducted a tour just prior to deterrent force. The 2nd Battalion independence in 1980/81 and the The Queen’s Regiment assumed the 3rd Battalion returned in 1986. All same role in 1985/86 and The 3rd of the Queen’s battalions fulfilled Battalion deployed a company to the an important operational role in Islands in 1991. Belize by maintaining an effective deterrent.

31 1992 Amalgamations

The Army went through a major The Queen’s Regiment was Thus the traditions, which dated reorganisation as a result of the amalgamated with The Royal back to The Trained Bands of the end of The Cold War in 1989 and Hampshire Regiment on the 9th County of and the the collapse of the Soviet Empire September 1992 (Salerno Day) City of London and the raising of and the threat from The Warsaw to form The Princess of Wales’s the Tangier Regiment in 1661, Pact. ‘’ was the Royal Regiment (Queen’s and Royal were to be remembered, adjusted name given to the British review, Hampshires), with a reduction from and carried forward to the new which was announced in 1990 four regular battalions to two. There Regiment. Twelve regiments of the and aimed to produce ‘smaller, would be two Territorial battalions, Line, which had varied in shape better equipped, properly trained the 5th and the 6/7th, and one and size throughout their glorious and housed, and well motivated Territorial Company (‘B’ [Queen’s history, were reduced to two regular forces’. The planned reductions Regiment] Company) within the new battalions of one regiment. The were delayed because of The Gulf . The Regiment’s best traditions of the past are War, but the final plan included the nickname was to be ‘The Tigers’. remembered today, though the reduction of infantry strength from modern professional soldier lives fifty-five to forty battalions. in the present and prepares for the future.

In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war “ blows in the ears, then imitate the action of the tiger. William Shakespeare, King Henry V” 32 PART II The Regiment Today

The Regimental Ethos

Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment ‘The Tigers’

The Tigers are a fighting regiment - we thrive on complex, tough operations. We are the senior English Regiment of the Line. We are forward looking, yet fiercely proud of our famous forebear regiments whose fighting spirit and traditions thrive in today’s Regiment.

Our inspirational officers lead by example, forging a close bond with their soldiers, based on mutual trust and respect. This relationship is rooted in a thorough knowledge of their men, honed through arduous training and confirmed in battle. We are supported and encouraged by combat-proven, relentlessly professional and utterly loyal warrant officers, sergeants and NCOs. We rely unconditionally on our dependable, capable and spirited soldiers. Our robust approach combines an informal and light touch with incredibly high professional standards. Comfortable with change and innovation, we are a learning organisation, constantly seeking to improve and educate.

We train hard to fight hard, and pride ourselves on our courage under fire. We are a tight-knit meritocracy and inclusive family regiment of Cadets, Reservists, Regulars and Veterans. We maximise links with our recruiting heartland in the South , whilst encouraging diversity in our ranks. Self-confident yet modest, we are genuinely welcoming to others - developing real bonds of friendship that stand the test of time and conflict.

‘Fierce Pride’

33 Introduction

Since the foundation of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment on the 9th September 1992, the Regiment has continued to maintain the best traditions of the past, whilst establishing a sound professional reputation in its new guise. The inherited traditions are explained in Part III to this Guide; this illustrates the activities of the current Regiment.

The British Army has changed a great deal since 1992 and so have the threats to peace and security. In the 1990s, Northern Ireland continued to dominate the infantryman’s life and, afterwards, Wales’s Royal Regiment was to Despite a busy operational tempo, the Regiment did its part to keep merge the 5th and 6/7th Battalions the Regiment has excelled in the peace in the Balkans. However, to form the new 3rd Battalion whilst sporting competitions and mounted in recent years, operations in Iraq maintaining the cap-badge in the successful adventure training and Afghanistan have been critical. Rifle Companies at Portsmouth activities. The opportunities for 2014 marked a shift away from and London within The Royal long overseas battalion postings these enduring operations to a and The London are now less likely in the modern wider Defence contingency role, as Regiment respectively. For a Army, however, soldiers have had the plan has developed. while, the Portsmouth Company the experience of travelling abroad The Army is to be capable of: became part of the 3rd Battalion, and the battalions have exercised which also gained a company in Kenya and Canada a number of Contingent capability for based at Rochester. However, in times as well as Poland, , deterrence and defence. 2014, following decisions made Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. Overseas engagement and in the Strategic Defence and capacity building. Security Review (SDSR) of 2010 HRH The Princess of Wales was Civil engagement and the and the Defence White Paper of appointed the first Colonel-in- military contribution to 2013, all Army Reserve infantry Chief in 1992. She relinquished homeland resilience. battalions had to reduce in size, this appointment in 1996, having so the Portsmouth Company was been a great source of pride and The Army has continued to change rebadged to the Army Air Corps in encouragement to the Regiment. shape. Fortunately, whilst some 2014. The SDSR also announced She was held in great affection Infantry battalions were disbanded the British Army’s withdrawal from by all ranks and her visits to the and amalgamated again under Germany by 2020 and a reduction in battalions, and her presentation Future Army Structures 2005, The personnel, armour and artillery. of the first set of new Colours Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment to the 2nd Battalion in 1995, are has retained its two regular The new Army 2020 will have a new particularly remembered. HM battalions, though in common with integrated structure of regulars and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, other regiments, their size has reserves and the reserve element formerly the Allied Colonel-in- been reduced, as they have taken will be proportionally higher than Chief, was appointed sole Colonel- over ‘Responsive’ (1 PWRR) and in the past; the Regular Army in-Chief in 1997, thus perpetuating ‘Adaptive’ (2 PWRR) Force roles. reduces to its new size of 82,000, the Regiment’s long and historic whilst the Army Reserve rises links with the Royal House of Meanwhile, significant to 30,000 trained soldiers – an Denmark, which stretch back to changes have occurred in the integrated Army of about 112,000. 1689. Territorial Army (TA), renamed Part of this integration has ‘paired’ ‘Army Reserves’ in 2014. The 3 PWRR with the Woolwich based The modern Regiment is proud to Government’s Strategic Defence Infantry battalion (The 1st Battalion have produced its first three star Review of 1998 reduced the size The in general, who is now retired from of the TA dramatically, particularly 2014). The aim is to use Reservists the Army – Lieutenant-General Sir the Infantry where thirty-three routinely, rather than in just Paul Newton, who commanded The battalions were cut to fifteen only. extreme circumstances. 2nd Battalion and was Colonel of The impact for the Princess of the Regiment from 2007 to 2010.

34 Operations Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland featured significantly in the Regiment’s first fifteen years, as it did in the Queen’s and Royal Hampshire Regiments before amalgamation. The Regiment’s deployments to the Province were as follows:

This was an extremely interesting time politically, as the 1st Battalion 1st Battalion experienced the beginning of the Omagh first IRA ceasefire, the 2nd Battalion 1993 to 1995 saw it ending and both battalions Two short deployments as the UK Standby deployed during the second 1996 Battalion, including West Belfast and Armagh ceasefire, with all its uncertainties. Soldiers and their commanders at 1997 to 1998 West Belfast, followed by one composite all levels have gained a great deal company deployed with 1st Battalion The of valuable experience from these Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons). Northern Ireland tours and enjoyed 2nd Battalion the challenge. The Regiment earned enormous praise for its 1992/1993 South Armagh. (One composite company, professionalism. As the ceasefire Gallipoli Company, with 1st Battalion The Duke date of the 1st August 2007 neared, of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment). with all its uncertainties, The Fermanagh. 2nd Battalion had the distinction 1993 to 1994 of being the last troops out of 1995 to 1997 Omagh Bessbrook, South Armagh, a West Belfast notoriously dangerous patrol base 1998 to 1999 during the Troubles. 2006 to 2008 Ballykelly.

35 The Balkans, Africa, The Falkland Islands and Military Aid to The Civil Authority

The 1st Battalion initially served in to amalgamation; as Sevastopol Division South West, within the Colchester as part of 19 Infantry Company trained in the Falkland NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR). Brigade. Both regular battalions Islands in the period July to This was a challenging Peace served within 5 Airborne Brigade November 1992. Very quickly, Support Operation, which included whilst based in Canterbury and operational experience with 5 deterring violence by the different then in 1 Mechanised Brigade in Airborne Brigade was gained, as factions involved, reassurance and Tidworth. The 1st Battalion spent one company deployed to Rwanda monitoring patrols, dealing with the longest period within 5 Airborne in August 1994 as part of the displaced people, liaison with many Brigade, during the foundation of United Nations Assistance Mission international organisations and the Joint Rapid Deployment Force. in Rwanda (UNAMIR). The British assisting in reconstruction projects. During this period, the Battalion contingent’s mission was to help The Battalion was very successful almost deployed to Albania to the humanitarian effort in Rwanda in recovering vast amounts of rescue British nationals, and in the aftermath of the civil war illegal arms and ammunition partially deployed to the Congo there. The company provided the and also conducted a legal bank prepared to rescue a similar Brigade logistic troops with close raid, supporting the authorities of nationals from the country of protection. The tasks included to recover funds and investigate Zaire. The period in Canterbury convoy protection, delivering stores corruption! One company was also was made even more unusual, to other contingents, collecting deployed to in 2007/2008. as a formed company of refugees and returning them to was attached to the 1st Battalion their homes and delivering aid. In The two TA battalions (5 PWRR and from the end of 1996 for a duration the previous February, thirty-five 6/7 PWRR), then 3 PWRR, and B of three years. Its commitments soldiers and one officer deployed Company of The London Regiment included two tours of the Falkland to support 2nd Battalion The sent a number of their soldiers Islands. Royal Anglian Regiment in Bosnia. on these operational tours with The platoon became armoured the regular battalions and other As The 1st Battalion moved to infantry (equipped with the Warrior infantry units. Tidworth and 1 Mechanised Brigade armoured in 1999, they converted to the vehicle) and Armoured Infantry role, equipped were responsible with the Warrior armoured vehicle. for escorting Their operational commitments humanitarian aid shifted to the Balkans and and patrolling Operation AGRICOLA. Three the buffer zones deployments took place to Kosovo; between Serb liaison officer groups with the and Croat. This initial deployment of 16 was part of the Brigade in 1999, followed by United Nations battalion tours in 2000/2001 and Protection Force 2002, the latter including individuals (UNPROFOR). deploying to Macedonia. The Individuals also middle deployment included very deployed to Sierra high profile public order operations Leone. in Mitrovica. The gap in between the last two tours was filled by the As The 2nd battalion’s assistance to the Foot Battalion shuffled and Mouth crisis in the UK! Both its barrack regular battalions had further locations between ‘action’ in the UK in 2003 when they Northern Ireland, participated in Operation FRESCO Tidworth and – providing Firefighting and , in Emergency rescue teams to cover 2000/2001 it national strikes. deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina The 2nd Battalion obtained as part of immediate experience in transition Multinational

36 Iraq

The Coalition invasion of Iraq in The 1st Battalion earned one the meantime, in 2005, it moved 2003 heralded PWRR involvement in Victoria Cross, two Distinguished to Paderborn, Germany, still in the next significant British military Service Orders, one Order of the the Armoured Infantry role. The deployment overseas. This was British Empire, two Conspicuous next tour was in 2006, as the to become an enduring operation Gallantry Crosses, seven Military Brigade Reserve involved in strike with Infantry battalions rotating Crosses, fifteen Mentions in operations and mentoring of Iraqi through an established schedule. Despatches and one Queen’s security forces and the last one Combat operations officially ended Commendation for Valuable Service in 2008/2009, in Shaiba, where its in 2009. The 1st Battalion was the on this extremely challenging tour. primary task was mentoring the most effected. A few individuals, It has been said that up till that time Iraqi military. including Captain Bob Wallace and 1 PWRR Battlegroup had faced the members of the battalion’s Mortar most constant period of conflict The 2nd Battalion deployed on a Platoon were there at the start, of any British Army unit since the six-month Iraq tour in 2006. Again, helping to topple ’s Korean War. 1 Mechanised Brigade, every member of the Battalion regime. Combat operations within which the Battalion served, was tested where conditions were shifted from the conventional fired more small arms ammunition extremely harsh and the threat role to counter-insurgency and in six months than the British Army was real and ever present. It had reconstruction over the following as a whole did in thirty years in a series of tasks, ranging from years. Northern Ireland. The Battlegroup patrolling the deserts of southern in Maysan Province faced over one Province, securing key The Regiment’s most notable hundred contacts in one day alone installations and escorting convoys deployment was during Operation and close to 900 over the tour. and escorting senior officers in TELIC 4 in 2004, with The 1st Every single man who deployed with . Battalion under command of the Battalion on this operation was Lieutenant Colonel Matt Maer. The in some form of contact. As the Many ‘Tigers’ were deployed to Battalion was based in Camp Abu Commanding Officer said, ‘That in Iraq as individuals, including Army Naji, Al Amarah with B Company itself made a tour like no other’. Reservists attached to various units, detached to 1st Battalion The In addition to the 1st Battalion and staff officers often working Regiment’s Battlegroup battlegroup, a composite company in Basra or Baghdad as part of in Basra. In outline, a number of from both battalions was attached multi-national headquarters. One very high profile and dangerous to The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Company of The London Regiment events took place; the Battle of Sutherland Highlanders (Princess deployed early in the operation to ‘Danny Boy’ and the ‘Siege of CIMIC Louise’s). provide the Force Protection for the House’ (Civil Military Cooperation) Divisional HQ in Basra. most noticeable amongst them. In The 1st Battalion was to return addition, the battalion conducted to Iraq twice more, though in Operation WATERLOO; clearing insurgents from Al Amarah. Large numbers of gallantry were won, including Private Johnson Beharry’s Victoria Cross.

Private Beharry carried out two individual acts of heroism by which he saved the lives of his comrades. Both were in direct face of the enemy, under intense fire. This was at great personal risk to himself, one leading to him sustaining very serious injuries. He displayed repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour to become the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in the PWRR and the 57th Recipient in the annals of the Regiment’s long and prestigious heritage.

37 Afghanistan

Though the recent significant to support The 1st Battalion sent B British involvement in Afghanistan during Operation SOND CHARA, Company as Armoured Infantry began in 2006, forebears of the leading a battlegroup attack. This to Afghanistan during six months PWRR fought in all three of the was dangerous and high-profile of this period operating across previous Afghan Wars (1838-1842, work and the 2nd Battalion rose to , taking the fight 1878-1881 and 1919). In December the occasion. Their professional to the . 2011/2012 heralded 2001, The 2nd Battalion was on performance and gallantry awards another 1st Battalion deployment standby as part of the ‘SPEARHEAD’ included two Military Crosses (MCs) to the country. This time, part Battlegroup, though rather like awarded to Sergeant Sorensen of The 1st Battalion formed the the Buffs in 1838, they did not and Corporal Spooner. The TRB core of the Police Mentoring and deploy at that stage. This was in commitment continued into Advisory Group (PMAG), whilst the the wake of the dramatic terrorist 2009 with further deployments three rifle companies had ground actions against the United States by Battlegroup Headquarters, holding roles attached to various of America on the 11th September A and B Company. Separately British battalions and the Danish 2001. Some individuals were the Commanding Officer had Battalion (operational linkages had deployed with the International the unenviable task of assuming occurred with the Danish Army in Security Assistance Force (ISAF), command of Battle Group (Centre Iraq previously). Individuals from including Lieutenant Colonel Neal South) in Nad-e-Ali following the reserves were evident in all the . Also, the 3rd Battalion the death of its commanding Afghanistan deployments – one sent a platoon to in 2003. officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert of their last deployments was B Thornloe. Elements of the 2nd Company, The London Regiment’s British troops were deployed for Battalion had been deployed in contribution to The Grenadier national security reasons – to Afghanistan over a fourteen month Guards Battlegroup on Operation prevent Afghan territory being used period supporting 16. British combat by Al Qaeda as a base from which HERRICK 8, 9 and 10. operations in Afghanistan were to plan attacks on the UK and its completed at the end of 2014, with allies. For most of the period of a platoon from The 1st Battalion British involvement, forty-seven serving in Kandahar as the nations were supporting the operation drew to a close. mission and Great Britain was the second largest military contributor, after the United States of America, with about 9,500 troops.

As the British commitment to the operation increased in scale, both regular battalions became embroiled in 2008 and 2009; The 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Doug Chalmers, nominated as the Theatre Reserve Battalion (TRB), deployed ‘A’ Company from its new home in Cyprus just before it formally assumed the role. It arrived at Forward Operating Base Edinburgh in North Helmand Province to support . They were followed by Battlegroup Headquarters and B Company who arrived in Gamsir in South Helmand to take over from 1st Bn 6th Regiment United States Marine Corps. C Company followed and went to Nad E Ali

38 Cyprus

helped provide security and coordination of meetings between the two factions, some of which were historic. They worked closely with an Argentinean unit and were also involved with training the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Joint Mission in Syria. The Tiger sleeve badge was worn next to the United Nations emblem. This deployment highlighted the changing increased utility of the Army Reserves.

Uganda

The 3rd Battalion has also been The 2nd Battalion has been based Line’ or Buffer Zone between the given Defence Engagement in Cyprus, with its families, twice. Greek and Turkish Cypriots who operational tasks, which has However, it has had significant have been in dispute for many included providing a Short Term operation commitments to years. Training Team to Uganda in both Afghanistan, as has already been 2010 and 2012 with a thirty-man described. Cyprus has also been The 3rd Battalion picked up this team. These type of deployments the venue for regular and reserve important operational role in help improve foreign army exercises, but in addition, there 2013/2014 as the Mobile Force capabilities in their fight against is a long standing United Nations Reserve (MFR). Wearing their terrorism and again illustrate the peace-keeping commitment. This blue , the MFR, a company new flexibility within the Army involves helping to police the ‘Green commanded by Major Jim Phipps, Reserve.

The Olympics

The 2012 Olympics provided an the south east of England. The level opportunity for the armed forces to of work, maintaining of readiness display their professionalism and and preparatory planning that went capabilities. All three battalions on behind the scenes both before, provided assets. The 2nd Battalion during and after the main Games was key as their normal Woolwich remains largely unsung, but is ceremonial role was replaced typical of the quiet professionalism by a new task as the Military of the Regiment. The 1st Battalion Contingency Force or reserve in also sent troops from Germany support of security for the games, to assist the security at different comprising ten sub units under the venues and The 3rd Battalion command of Lieutenant Colonel mobilised eighty of its reservists Adam Crawley. The Battalion had to form Venue Security Force 2 at trained extensively for ‘worst case’ Eton Dorney, where the rowing took scenarios for the Olympics Games place. They were fortunate enough but quickly surged to compensate to witness a host of Team GB for the G4S trained manpower successes! deficit to provide venue security personnel at Games sites all over

39 40 Training

Battalion has been to the United States and Cyprus. Not all of the training can be exotic and, so a busy exercise schedule occurs within the UK. Salisbury Plain, Sennybridge and Otterburn are, therefore, regular venues for brigade and battalion activities, whilst smaller exercises and commitments are spread throughout the country. All training provides opportunities for Regular/Reserve integration, the 3rd Battalion have participated in many of the above exercises either Regimentally or within the wider Queen’s Division.

Shooting is a fundamental skill of There remain many opportunities preparation for operations in all infantrymen and the Regiment for ‘The Tigers’ to serve overseas, Afghanistan. has fully participated in various either with a battalion or as an competitions. L/Cpl Dilip Gurung individual, including exchange Canada offers an equally diverse (an attached with The 1st opportunities in Australia and landscape and opportunities for Battalion) won the Queen’s Medal New Zealand or loan service posts excellent military training on the at Bisley in 1998, whilst The 2nd in Eastern Europe and Western open plains. There is also an Battalion’s shooting team won the Africa. Training activities are varied outstanding adventure training Northern Ireland Skill at Arms and overseas training exercises facility based in the Rockies. Both Meeting in the previous year. The offer soldiers the opportunity to regular battalions have regularly TA battalions and ‘B’ (Queen’s experience varied conditions in exercised in Canada completing Regiment) Company of The London unique and unusual terrain. live firing, simulated training Regiment have also performed and competency tests before particularly well in a number of Kenya offers hot arid conditions in deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. competitions. The 6/7th Battalion some areas and jungle conditions Many other military exercises have won the British Reserve Forces in others, whilst the resources taken place around the world, Team Competition in the USA in are available for some demanding including in Jamaica, Belize, 1998, whilst The 3rd Battalion’s adventure training. Both regular Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, shooting team consistently won battalions have exercised in Kenya Germany, Poland, Latvia and shooting competitions at Bisley at intervals at both battalion Kazakhstan. Army Reserve units throughout the 1990s and into the and company level, latterly in also exercise overseas and the 3rd twenty-first Century!

41 Ceremonial

An obviously unique event was the Regimental celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Albuhera at Albuhera on 16 May 2011, which has cemented a long standing relationship with the people of this historic Spanish town.

The 2nd Battalion has had the highest ceremonial profile. Whilst based in Woolwich from 2010 to 2014, it had a very busy training schedule, company deployments to the Falkland Islands and the critical Olympics role already mentioned. However, the primary task during The traditions of the Regiment have been maintained and developed Following the presentation of by ‘The Tigers’, as shown in this these new Colours, there were the history. Part of maintaining this customary ceremonies of laying tradition includes ceremonial up the Old Colours of The Queen’s activity, which began with the Regiment and 1st Battalion The Regimental Review in Canterbury in Royal Hampshire Regiment. These June 1993. The other major events were sad, but proud occasions held have been the presentation of New at Cathedral (1 QUEEN’S), Colours to the 2nd Battalion in 1995 Canterbury Cathedral (2 QUEEN’S), by the then Colonel-in-Chief, Her St. Paul’s Cathedral (3 QUEEN’S) Royal The Princess of and Winchester Cathedral (1 R Wales, followed by the presentation HAMPS). In addition, a number of of New Colours to the 1st Battalion Freedom Parades have occurred in 1997 by the Colonel-in-Chief, each year, which help maintain the Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Regiment’s links within the South- Denmark. Both events occurred at East recruiting area, as soldiers Howe Barracks, Canterbury. The march through their home towns Colonel-in-Chief presented the with bayonets fixed, drums beating new Colours to the 3rd (Volunteer) and Colours flying. that period was as a Ceremonial Battalion at Ardingly in 1999. Battalion manning the ‘Blue Line’ within London District. The Queen’s Guard was mounted at Buckingham Palace, the other Royal Palaces were guarded, various parades took place for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and there was the highlight of providing battalion route-lining for the Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the 29th April 2011. The Battalion was the last Battalion to perform on the final guard of Her Majesty’s Tower of London; the Director of the Tower took the at the ceremony of the keys and gifted the No. 1 Sentry Box display sign to . The hard work and dedication of the 2nd Battalion during this very busy ceremonial period reinforced the Regiment’s professional reputation.

42 Sport, Adventure Training and Parachuting

There remains plenty of opportunity for sport in the modern Regiment, though operational tours and training schedules keep people busy.

In the Regiment’s first six years alone, The 1st Battalion excelled in cricket and won the Infantry Cup in five consecutive years, whilst winning the Army Cup in 1997. A number of its team played for the Combined Services Team and had the opportunity to travel abroad, including to St. Moritz and . In 1997 The 2nd Battalion won the Army Judo Championship and The Infantry Novice Nordic Skiing Championship in . It also won the Infantry Hockey Championship in 1998.

The 5th Battalion and ‘B’ (Queen’s Regiment) Company of The London 2013 when they fought each other! Stewart from The 2nd Battalion Regiment participated fully in Both battalions have done well in played Rugby Union for the Army, a number of sports, whilst The competitions and Northampton and . Other 6/7th Battalion excelled in both Alex Mansfield and Privates Marvin, soldiers are members of the Army day and night orienteering and Chez Nihell and ‘Jack’ Thompson Judo Team, the Army Clay Pigeon won the Army Night Orienteering have boxed for the Army Team. Shooting Team, have rowed for Competition and the Infantry the Army Eight and have achieved Regular and Territorial Orienteering A number of soldiers have places in various Infantry teams. Championship. Individuals from been selected for the Army and There is no reason to doubt that this all battalions have featured Combined Services Teams. Private sort of sporting success within the prominently in a wide range of Lee Bradbury, originally from Regiment will not continue into the sports. Both regular battalions The 1st Battalion, played football future. have continued to develop their for Portsmouth and boxing skills and made history in City, whilst Lance Corporal Matty

43 Adventure Training

Adventure training opportunities selflessness and teamwork, provide another feature of service thanks to the hard work of their and Regimental life, which is Regimental guides and organisers. rarely seen outside of the Armed 537 kilometres were covered by foot Forces. A variety of rock-climbing, and camel across the harsh and canoeing and walking expeditions barren terrain of Northern Kenya. have been organised since the Skiing has enjoyed a high profile, Regiment’s existence throughout particularly from the 1st Battalion’s the . In addition, perspective, having been based in skiing expeditions have been run Germany for such a long time with in France and Bavaria and rock- some private soldiers qualifying as climbing and walking in Cyprus. ski instructors. Major expeditions have taken place in the Kenyan Samburuland, One example of the opportunities Malaysia, Alaska and Nepal, available to Tigers is well involving both regular and reserve illustrated by Captain David Mans’ soldiers. The expedition to Kenya in experience. In 2011 he took part in 1994 included the participation of a a ‘Row to the Pole’ expedition and number of civilians; disadvantaged planted the Regimental Flag at the young people who learned the Magnetic Pole. importance of determination,

44 Parachuting

Parachuting has been required as earned their ‘wings’. Others have each year. An example of their a military skill for some soldiers jumped during adventure training professionalism is summed up by and has been both a sport and an in Canada, whilst the Regimental Lance Corporal Frank Millerick; adventure training activity. Many Free-Fall Team, ‘The Tigers’, has he qualified as a Category System soldiers from the regular battalions given some soldiers the opportunity Instructor in 2011, Tandem had the opportunity to parachute to help recruit and become semi- Instructor and Accelerated Freefall because of their experience of professional at the sport, during Instructor in 2012 and gained the being with 5 Airborne Brigade and their busy display programme ‘Instructor of the Year’ in 2013.

Conclusion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment learns from the past and looks to the future, as illustrated in these pages. We are proud to be England’s senior infantry regiment and also the most decorated regiment in the British Army.

We honour those soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on operations:

PRINCESS OF WALES’S ROYAL REGIMENT ROLL OF HONOUR

IRAQ Died – Private Christopher Gordon Rayment 1st Battalion, 4th August 2004. Killed in Action – Private Lee O’Callaghan 1st Battalion, 9th August 2004. Died – Private Ryan ‘CJ’ Wrathall 1st Battalion, 12th February 2009

AFGHANISTAN Killed in action - Private John Alan Brackpool (Former 1st Battalion, serving with 1st Battalion The ), 9th July 2009 Killed in Action – Private Jonathan Monk (2nd Battalion. Attached to 1st Battalion The ), 9th June 2010 Killed in Action - Private T C (Thomas) Lake 1st Battalion, 20 November 2011.

45 PART III Regimental Information

Origins

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is descended from the following Forebear Regiments of Foot:

2nd The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) - (2nd (Queen’s Royal)) 3rd The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) - (3rd (Buffs)) 31st The East Surrey Regiment - (31st (Huntingdonshire)) 35th The Royal Sussex Regiment - (35th (Royal Sussex)) 37th The Royal Hampshire Regiment - (37th (North Hampshire)) 50th The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment - (50th (Queen’s Own)) 57th The Middlesex Regiment - (57th (West Middlesex)) 67th The Royal Hampshire Regiment - (67th (South Hampshire)) 70th The East Surrey Regiment - (70th (Surrey Regiment)) 77th The Middlesex Regiment - (77th (East Middlesex)) 97th The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment - (97th (Earl of Ulster’s)) 107th The Royal Sussex Regiment - (107th (Bengal Infantry))

46 The Colours and The Emblazoned The Third Colour Battle Honours The Colours of The 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal The 1st Battalion of The Princess of Regiment are as illustrated on pages 48 and 49. The other Wales’s Royal Regiment has the unique Battalion’s Colours are identical, apart from the numeral. The Army distinction of still retaining a Third Queen’s Colour, the senior Colour, displays forty-two battle or ‘Colonel’s’ Colour. At one stage, there honours from the First and Second World Wars. The Regimental were a large number of Colours within a Colour displays forty other battle honours, which include ‘Tangier battalion used as rallying points for each 1662-80’, the oldest battle honour in the British Army, and ‘Korea grouping on the battlefield. This number 1950-51’, which is the Regiment’s most recent battle honour. The eventually fell to a total of three; one for Regiment’s forebears won many more battle honours, which are pikemen and two for the two wings of still recognized, but are not displayed on the Colours. All of the musketeers. In about 1700, the bayonet battle honours are listed in Regimental Standing Orders. was brought into service, pikemen were removed from battalions’ establishments The Regimental Colour is particularly distinctive. The Colour is and there was no longer the requirement yellow and there is a unique combination of five badges displayed; for a third colour. However, The Queen’s the cap badge, the Naval Crown, the Tiger, the Sphinx and the who were serving abroad, chose to ignore cypher of Catherine of Braganza. The detailed origin of all of these the order to remove the Third Colour and badges is explained within this Guide. In outline, they trace their retained it. Eventually it was laid up in links to the following Regimental history: in 1750, but recovered in 1825 and carried on parade with royal approval. The Cap Badge - A combination of the badges of the forebear The approval was rescinded in 1835 and regiments, as explained on page 50. The Queens were told that the Third Colour could be retained, but never taken The Naval Crown - Awarded to The Queen’s after The Glorious on parade. The order has been ignored First of June 1794. (See Part I). twice, once in 1927 on the occasion of The King’s Birthday Parade in Hong Kong The Tiger - Awarded to the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment. and, secondly, in 1992 on disbandment of (See Part I and page 51). The 1st Battalion The Queen’s Regiment in Minden, Germany. The Third Colour The Sphinx - Awarded for service in Egypt in 1801. (See Part I). is green, the colour of the House of Braganza, and displays the cypher of The Cypher - From the origins of the title ‘Queen’s and the 2nd Queen Catherine. Foot. (See Part I).

47 The Colours Battle Honours to be Born on the Queen’s Colour

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Queen’s Colour

WORLD WAR I WORLD WAR II

1. Mons 21. Dunkirk 1940 2. Retreat from Mons 22. Normandy Landing 3. Aisne 1914 23. Caen 4. Ypres 1914, 15, 17, 18 24. Rhine 5. Hill 60 25. North West Europe 1940, 44-45 6. Somme 1916, 18 26. Abyssinia 1941 7. Albert 1916, 18 27. El Alamein 8. Arras 1917, 18 28. Tebourba Gap 9. Cambrai 1917, 18 29. Hunt’s Gap 10. Hindenberg Line 30. Longstop Hill 1943 11. Italy 1917-18 31. North Africa 1940-43 12. Doiran 1917, 18 32. Sicily 1943 13. Landing at Helles 33. Salerno 14. Suvla 34. Anzio 15. Gaza 35. Cassino 16. 36. 17. Palestine 1917-18 37. Italy 1943-45 18. Kut al Mara 1915, 17 38. Malta 1940-42 19. Mesopotamia 1915-18 39. Malaya 1941-42 20. North West Frontier India 1915, 1916-17 40. Hong Kong 41. Defence of Kohima 42. Burma 1943-45

48 Battle Honours to be Born on the Regimental Colour

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Regimental Colour

1. Mons 1. Tangier 1662-80 21. Albuhera 2. Retreat from Mons 2. Namur 1695 22. Almaraz 3. Aisne 1914 3. Gibralter 1704-5 23. Vittoria 4. Ypres 1914, 15, 17, 18 4. Blenheim 24. Peninsula 5. Hill 60 5. Ramillies 25. Afghanistan 1879-80 6. Somme 1916, 18 6. Oudenarde 26. Punniar 7. Albert 1916, 18 7. Malplaquet 27. Moodkee 8. Arras 1917, 18 8. Dettingen 28. Sobraon 9. Cambrai 1917, 18 9. Louisburg 29. Inkerman 10. Hindenberg Line 10. Guadaloupe 1759 30. Sevastopol 11. Italy 1917-18 11. Minden 31. Lucknow 12. Doiran 1917, 18 12. Quebec 1759 32. Taku Forts 13. Landing at Helles 13. Belleisle 33. Pekin 1860 14. Suvla 14. Martinique 1762 34. New Zealand 15. Gaza 15. Tournay 35. Nile 1884-85 16. Jerusalem 16. Seringapatam 36. Burma 1885-87 17. Palestine 1917-18 17. Maida 37. Paardeberg 18. Kut al Mara 1915, 17 18. Corunna 38. Relief of Ladysmith 19. Mesopotamia 1915-18 19. Talavera 39. South Africa 1899-1902 20. North West Frontier India 1915, 1916-17 20. Barrosa 40. Korea 1950-51

49 The Badges and Accoutrements

The Regimental Badge is a composition of the badges of the forebear regiments. The centrepiece is the Elizabethan Dragon, awarded to The Buffs, in recognition of their Tudor origin, by Queen Anne, probably in 1707.

Below the Tudor Dragon is the Hampshire Rose, as worn by the Trained Bands of Hampshire, who fought so gallantly for King Henry V at Agincourt in 1415. (This should not be confused with Minden roses – See ‘Customs of the Regiment’ on page 58.)

The surrounding device inscribed with the motto ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense’ (Shame on him who thinks Regimental Badge ill of it), is a garter, as awarded to the Knights of The , England’s oldest Order of , founded by King Edward III in 1348. The garter is taken from the badge of The Royal Sussex but taken from the helmet of the of The Middlesex Regiment. The Regiment granted to the Regiment slain King John of Bohemia at the crown holding the feathers is The when it was awarded its ‘Royal’ Battle of Crecy in 1346. The 15th Prince of Wales coronet. status in 1832 and the officers’ Prince of Wales considered the badge of The Royal Hampshire 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment to The cap badges worn by the Regiment. be deserving of the plumes for its Forebear Regiments are illustrated exploits in India. The award was on the ‘Family Tree’ at the back of The feathers above the Tudor given the King’s approval in 1810 this Guide. Dragon are the ostrich plumes, and was subsequently in the badge awarded to The Black Prince,

THE COLLAR BADGE

The Horse is the badge of Kent, dating from the 6th century and ascribed to Horsa, the Saxon. It was the main badge of The Kent Militia, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and The Queen’s Own Buffs. The remaining star is from the Order of The Garter, as explained The Button earlier, when describing the Cap Badge. Both the Star and the Roussillon Plume come from The Royal Sussex Regiment. The plume commemorates the defeat of the French Roussillon Regiment by the 35th of Foot at the Battle of Quebec in 1759. The Collar Badge The Sleeve Badge

50 The Button The Bronze Badges Eversleigh Stars

The Paschal Lamb is the oldest of and Buttons Officers of the Regiment wear all regimental badges. It was worn unique large Eversleigh Stars, by The Queen’s Royal Regiment All badges worn on Service Dress as badges of rank. These were before 1685 and may have been and Number 2 uniforms are worn by The Queen’s Regiment adopted as a Christian emblem bronzed. This tradition dates from and formerly by The Middlesex in the fight against the Moors at the South African War of 1900- Regiment. Tangier. The remainder of the 1902, when badges were darkened badge is inherited from The East in order to achieve greater Surrey Regiment and together with . This perpetuates a the Lamb formed the badge of The tradition in that bronzed badges The Blue Backing Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment. and buttons were previously worn The Star is again from the garter by The Middlesex Regiment and to Chevrons awarded to The 3rd Surrey Militia. The Royal Hampshire Regiment. The crown was the standard badge All senior NCOs within the of a line regiment, as carried by Regiment wear a blue backing to the 31st and 70th of Foot. their chevrons and badges of rank. This stems from the royal blue The Whistle on Sam facings of The Queen’s Regiment. Browne Crossbelt The Sleeve Badge Within the Regiment, the Sam Facings Browne has the unique distinction The Royal Tiger badge, which is of having a whistle on a short The facings or colours of the now worn on the uniform sleeve lanyard in a leather pouch on the cuffs and collar of uniforms were by all ranks was worn in the cross-strap. This tradition is said a means of identifying different soldiers’ cap badge of The Royal to come from the days of Mounted regiments, particularly when Hampshire Regiment. The 67th Infantry, when a number of the jackets were worn. The (South Hampshire) Regiment was forebear regiments served in facings of the Regiment are authorised to display the badge different parts of the world at the yellow, despite the granting of of the Tiger on their Colours and beginning of the twentieth century, Royal status to the Queen’s in Appointments by King George IV in using horses for transport. The 1703, which would normally mean 1826 after the Regiment returned whistle was useful as a signalling that the facings are royal blue. to England after twenty-one years’ device, which would not get lost The distinctive yellow facings are service in India. and was close to the face. It was worn with mess kit and some worn by The Royal Hampshire ceremonial uniforms and were Regiment prior to the 1992 worn by The Royal Hampshire amalgamation. Regiment as a distinction even The Regimental after being granted the title ‘Royal’ in 1946. Similarly, The Identification Buffs had retained buff facings The Royal Marine and The Middlesex Regiment Patch lemon yellow facings up until the Lanyard 1960s amalgamations. The same (Blue/Yellow/Blue) distinctive colour is retained as The Royal Marine Lanyard is worn the background to The Regimental The Regimental identification by all ranks in Service Dress and Colour. patch of blue/yellow/blue is worn Number 2 Dress uniform and behind the cap badge on the barrack dress. This originates and on the right shoulder of from the naval traditions of The the combat jacket. It is a unique East Surrey Regiment and one of distinction of the new Regiment, its forebears, Villiers’ Marines. though other identification patches Prior to the 1992 amalgamation, have been worn by forebear the Royal Marine Lanyard was regiments in the past. The royal worn by the officers and WO1s blue is the traditional facings of The 1st Battalion The Queen’s colour of a royal regiment, whilst Regiment. the yellow is the new facings colour of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

51 The 57 Regimental Victoria Crosses

Johnson Beharry VC

The Victoria Cross is the nation’s highest award for conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment’s fifty-seven past recipients are listed below.

Crimean War

1854 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment Sergeant J Park, Inkerman 1855 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment Private C McCorrie, Sevastopol 1855 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment Private A Wright, Crimea 1855 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment Colour-Sergeant G Gardiner, DCM, Sevastopol 1855 97th (Earl of Ulster’s) Regiment Sergeant J Coleman, Sevastopol 1855 The Buffs Lieutenant Colonel F F Maude, Redan 1855 The Buffs Private J Connors, Redan 1855 97th (Earl of Ulster’s) Regiment Captain C H Lumley, Redan

Taku Forts, China, 1860

1860 67th (South Hampshire) Lieutenant N Burslem 1860 67th (South Hampshire) Ensign J W Chaplin 1860 67th (South Hampshire) Lieutenant E H Lenon 1860 67th (South Hampshire) Private T Lane

New Zealand

1863 New Zealand 57th (West Middlesex) Ensign J T Down 1863 New Zealand 57th (West Middlesex) Drummer D Stagpole, DCM 1864 New Zealand 107th (Bengal Infantry) Lieutenant Colonel J C McNeill (Not serving with his regiment)

Other Theatres

1897 North-West Frontier – The Buffs Corporal J Smith 1900 South Africa – The East Surrey Regiment Private A E Curtis 1903 West Africa – The Queen’s Lieutenant W D Wright (Not serving in his regiment).

52 First World War

1915 The East Surrey Regiment Lieutenant G R P Roupell, Hill 60 1915 The East Surrey Regiment Second Lieutenant B H Geary, Hill 60 1915 The East Surrey Regiment Private E Dwyer, Hill 60 1915 The Queen’s Lance-Corporal L J Keyworth, Givenchy 1915 The Middlesex Regiment Second Lieutenant R P Hallowes, MC, Loos 1915 The Royal Sussex Regiment Sergeant H Wells, Loos 1915 The East Surrey Regiment Second Lieutenant A J Fleming-Sands, Loos 1915 The Hampshire Regiment Second Lieutenant G R D Moore, Gallipoli 1916 The Royal Sussex Regiment Lieutenant E A McNair, Hooge 1916 The Buffs Corporal W R Cotter, Hohenzollern 1916 The Royal Sussex Regiment Company Sergeant Major N V Carter, Somme 1916 The Middlesex Regiment Private R Ryder, Thiepval 1916 The Middlesex Regiment Private F J Edwards, Thiepval 1917 The East Surrey Regiment Sergeant H Cator, MM, Arras 1917 The East Surrey Regiment Corporal E Foster, Villers-Plouich 1917 The Queen’s Lieutenant Colonel A D Borton, Gaza 1917 The Hampshire Regiment Second Lieutenant D G W Hewitt, Ypres 1917 The Hampshire Regiment Second Lieutenant M S S Moore, Ypres 1917 The Middlesex Regiment Captain A M McReady-Diarmid, Mouvres 1918 The Queen’s Lance Corporal J W Sayer, Le Verguier 1918 The Queen’s Lieutenant Colonel C Bushell, DSO, St Quentin 1918 The Middlesex Regiment Captain A M Toye, MC, Eterpigny 1918 The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Sergeant T J Harris, MM, Amiens 1918 The Queen’s Private J Harvey, Boucheavesnes 1918 The East Surrey Regiment Corporal J McNamara, Lens 1918 The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Second Lieutenant D J Dean, Lens 1918 The Royal Sussex Regiment Lieutenant Colonel D G Johnson, DSO, MC, Sambre

Not Serving with their Regiments: The Queen’s Lieutenant Colonel B C Freyberg, DSO The Queen’s Captain C Robertson The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Lieutenant C H Sewell

Second World War

1943 The Hampshire Regiment Major H W Le Patourel, Tebourba 1944 The Hampshire Regiment Captain R Wakeford, Cassino 1944 The Hampshire Regiment Lieutenant G R Norton, MM, Gothic Line 1944 The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Lance Corporal J P Harman, Kohima

Not Serving with their Regiments when awarded the VC: The Queen’s Lieutenant A G Horwood, DCM The Buffs Major A F Lassen, MC The East Surrey Regiment Captain E C T Wilson The Royal Sussex Regiment Captain L E Queripel Iraq

2004 The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Private J G Beharry

The George Cross

The George Cross is the nation’s highest award for bravery not in the face of the enemy. The Regiment’s past recipients are as follows:

1935 The Queen’s Lance Corporal G Henshaw, Quetta Earthquake 1935 The Queen’s Private A Brook, Quetta Earthquake 1943 The Middlesex Regiment Colonel L A Newnham, MC, Hong Kong

53 The Link with HRH The The Link with The Royal House of Princess of Wales Denmark

Her Royal Highness The Princess In 1689 the Lord High Admiral’s re-established the link with the of Wales was the first Colonel-in- Regiment, the 3rd Foot, was past and was also intended as a Chief of The Princess of Wales’s disbanded. The Holland compliment to Queen Alexandra Royal Regiment, which took her Regiment took its place as who was a Danish Princess. name on its formation in 1992. The the 3rd Regiment of Foot, and Princess kept this appointment Prince George of Denmark, who Since then, successive Kings of until 1996. She had previously been was the husband of Princess Denmark have been Colonels- the Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal (later Queen) Anne and Lord in-Chief of The Buffs during Hampshire Regiment. The title was High Admiral, was appointed their lifetime. His late Majesty also used by The Queen’s in the Honorary Colonel. From 1689 King Frederik IX became, in early eighteenth century, when the until his death in 1708, and 1961, Colonel-in-Chief The Regiment was known as HRH The following the custom of the Queen’s Own Buffs, and in 1966, Princess of Wales Own Regiment of time, The Holland Regiment Allied Colonel-in-Chief The Foot. was known as Prince George of Queen’s Regiment. Denmark’s Regiment.

The association with Denmark Her Majesty Queen Margrethe then lapsed until 1906 when, II assumed the appointment of on the 9th November, the Allied Colonel-in-Chief of the birthday of King Edward VII, King Queen’s Regiment on the 27th Frederik VIII of Denmark was June 1972; her appointment appointed Colonel-in-Chief The was transferred to the Princess Buffs (East Kent Regiment), as of Wales’s Royal Regiment on the 3rd Foot had become. It is their formation day the 9th reasonable to suppose, although September 1992. Her Majesty not stated in the Regimental assumed the appointment of History, that this appointment Colonel-in-Chief on the 25th was made for two reasons. It February 1997.

Regimental Headquarters

Regimental Headquarters is in The Tower of London. Prior to 2014, it was in Howe Barracks, Canterbury. Area Headquarters is at Leros Barracks, Canterbury.

54 Colonels of the Regiment

The Colonel of the Regiment is an appointed and, if so requested The appointment ensures a honorary ceremonial position and is by one or more of the battalion continuing strand in the regiment’s an appointment rather than a rank. commanders, will give advice on esprit de corps, and it provides a It is an honour conferred upon a matters concerning the overall channel of communication (formal senior officer (active or retired) who welfare of the regiment and its and informal) with other elements has, usually but not necessarily, institutions. He accompanies the of the army and with higher served with the Regiment in the Colonel-in-Chief on every visit command. The term is usually for past, and it requires the approval which he or she may make to the five years, but this can be extended. of the Sovereign and its Colonel- regiment. He also makes regular The Colonel of the Regiment in-Chief. The Colonel is kept visits of his own, not only to the works closely with Regimental informed of all happenings within Regular battalions but also to their Headquarters and the Regimental the Regiment to which he has been affiliated volunteer units. Association.

Colonels of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment:

Lieutenant-General Sir Anthony Denison-Smith KBE 1992-1999 Brigadier E R Holmes CBE, TD, JP 1999-2007 Lieutenant-General P R Newton CBE 2007-2010 Brigadier R W Dennis OBE 2010-

The Regimental Association

The Regimental Association is free, comprises all officers and is based in the Regimental soldiers who have served or are Headquarters. Its main aims are serving in The Princess of Wales’s to foster the spirit of comradeship Royal Regiment. The forebear between all members and to regiments also have their own provide assistance to past and regimental associations, the details present members, their wives, of which can be obtained from children or other dependents who Regimental Headquarters, see also are in distress or suffering financial website. hardship. Its membership, which

Friends of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment

The Friends has been formed for bringing together the whole of the advice. The Friends can be joined two purposes; First, to raise funds Regimental Family: Those serving and supported at: for past and serving soldiers, to and those who have served; and [email protected] enhance their lives. Secondly, to their family, friends and supporters. support those who have finished The Friends will offer links, social Recruiting opportunities can be serving in the Regiment to find work events and help wherever required. seen at: and business opportunities. It aims to raise funds by running www.tigerrec.co.uk The Friends is a strong network events or offering soldiers a job or

55 Civic Honours

The following civic honours are held Epsom and Ewell (2010), by the Regiment: (1961, adoption 1960), Guildford (1944), The privilege of marching (1947), through the City of London with (1992), ‘Colours Flying, Drums Beating Kingston-upon-Thames (1944), and Bayonets Fixed’ (from 1672), Lewes (1953), the Privilege of Jersey (1992, (1944), transferred 1995) and the Honorary Portsmouth (1950), Freedoms of Arundel (1954), (1959), Ashford (1987, adoption 1961), Reigate and Banstead (1963), Barnet (1955), Romsey (1959), Basingstoke and Deane (1966), Rushmoor (1981), Belfast (1961), Southampton (1946), (1944) and Hove (1958), (2013), (1945), Test Valley (1986), Canterbury (1948), and Malling (1951), (1985 adoption 1944), Christchurch (1987), Tunbridge Wells (2010), Crowborough (1989), Waverley Borough Council (2010), (1951), Winchester (1945) and Worthing Eastleigh (1991), (1959).

Regimental Days

The three Regimental Days, which have been explained in more detail in Part I of this Guide are as follows:

Albuhera Day Salerno Day

On the 16th May, the exceptional On the 1st August, the outstanding On the 9th September, the bravery of the 3rd, 31st and 57th performance of the 37th Foot at involvement of two Queen’s Regiments of Foot is remembered the Battle of Minden in 1759 is brigades and one Hampshire from the Battle of Albuhera 1811. remembered. brigade in the 1943 allied landings at Salerno, Italy is remembered. The Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey at the Freedom of Guildford This is also the date that was chosen for the formation of the Regiment in 1992.

56 Museum Locations The Regimental Museums are at the following locations:

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and The Royal Hampshire Regiment – The Queen’s Regiment – Serle’s House, Castle, Southgate Street, Dover, Winchester, Kent CT16 1HU. Hampshire SO23 9EF. Telephone: 01304 240121 Telephone: 01962 863658 [email protected] [email protected]

The Surrey Infantry Museum The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment – (Formerly the museum of The Queen’s Royal Surrey Maidstone Museum, Regiment) – Clandon Park, West Clandon, St Faith’s Street, Surrey GU4 7RQ. Maidstone, Telephone: Kent ME14 1LH. 01483 233419 (open Easter to October). Telephone: 01622 754497 [email protected] [email protected]

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) – The Middlesex Regiment – Royal Museum, High Street, incorporated into The Museum, Canterbury, Royal Hospital Road, Kent CT1 2JE. Chelsea, London. Telephone 01227 452747 Telephone: 020 7730 0717 www.national-army-museum.ac.uk www.national-army-museum.ac.uk

The Royal Sussex Regiment – Redoubt Fortress, Royal Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex BN22 7AQ. Telephone: 01323 410300 [email protected]

Dover Castle

57 Customs of the Regiment

The Loyal Toast and other toasts Albuhera Day – The Silent Toast made at the dining table are drunk seated. This is because of the The Silent Toast is to the ‘Immortal of the 57th Foot officers who had Regiment’s naval heritage – if one Memory’ of all members of our fought at Albuhera. It is adorned stood up, then one’s head would forebear regiments, who fell at with the medal of hit the roof of the deck above! Albuhera and have subsequently Holloway, who won it at the battle The Loyal Toast is also drunk died in all subsequent operations. whilst serving as an eleven-year-old individually in rotation. This custom This is drunk by all officers and Drummer Boy. He was the longest comes from The Royal Sussex senior NCOs serving together in living survivor of the battle. Regiment, whose Colonel, The Earl each Battalion on the 16th May each of Donegal, required his officers to year. The tradition was originally raise their glasses individually so inherited from The Middlesex that he could be sure of their loyalty Regiment. After the battle, the in days of tension in Northern surviving officers and sergeants Ireland. gathered at an inn by the battlefield and swore to meet annually to Kohima Day – The Kohima commemorate the slaughter of their comrades on that dreadful day. The Corporal toast is drunk individually in silence from a silver ‘loving-cup’. A Kohima Corporal is appointed in each battalion on the 9th April each The original cup was reputedly made year to commemorate the actions out of the silver accoutrements of Lance Corporal The Albuhera Loving Cup at the in 1944 when he was awarded the Victoria Minden Day - The Rose Cross posthumously. The Kohima Corporal has place of honour at the A Rose is worn in the headdress of all ranks on the 1st of August every year. Regimental Dinner on that evening. This commemorates the 37th foot, who picked up roses around Minden on the day of the Battle.

The Salt Ceremony Sobraon Day – Sobraon Sergeant The senior officer dining and each officer on first dining with A Sobraon Sergeant is appointed in each battalion on the 10th February the 2nd Battalion takes salt from each year to commemorate the actions of Sergeant Bernard McCabe at a special silver salt cellar, the the Battle of Sobraon in 1846. The Sobraon Sergeant has the honour of ‘Huntingdonshire Salt’. This is carrying the Regimental Colour to the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ a tradition inherited from The Mess, where the Colours are displayed for the Day. This is the only occasion East Surrey Regiment. The lid of when one of the Colours is not carried by an officer (ensign). the Cellar has a fragment of the Regimental Colour of The 31st Foot, carried at the Battle of Sobraon. By observing the Fragment, the new officer is reminded of the responsibilities that accompany the welcome. This tradition may be carried out by other battalions, when a suitable alternative salt cellar is used. The names of all those that have ‘taken salt’ with the Regiment are recorded in special ‘Salt Books’ within each Battalion.

58 Regimental Mottoes and Nicknames

The Regiment’s nickname is ‘The Tigers’. This is inherited from the Royal Hampshire Regiment, which as the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment was awarded the figure of the royal tiger superscribed ‘India’ in 1826, following its return after twenty-one years’ service in India. Past mottoes and nicknames are as follows:

Queen’s Royal Regiment The Royal Hampshire Regiment

Mottoes Nicknames Pristinae Virtuitis Memor (Mindful of Former Glory) The Tigers (Already explained). Vel Exuviae Triumphant (Victorious even in Adversity) The Stonewallers (After gaining the reputation in the First World War for never losing a trench to the Nicknames Germans). The Other Surrey Regiment The Pork and Beans (Cockney slang) The First Tangerines (After Tangier and rhyme) The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Kirk’s Lambs (After aggressive action serving under Colonel Kirke during the Monmouth’s rebellion, 1685). Regiment The Mutton Lancers (After Paschal Lamb and Flag badge). Mottoes Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt (Whither right and glory lead – from the 97th Foot). The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) Invicta (Unconquered – from the 50th Foot).

Motto Nicknames Veteri Frondescit Honore (Ever green with ancient The Dirty Half Hundred (After the colours of the black honour). facings ran into the rest of the uniforms at the Battle of Vimiera in 1808). Nicknames The Blind Half Hundred (After the Egyptian campaign of The Buffs (After the Regiment’s buff colour facings). 1801, when a large percentage of the Regiment had eye The Buff Howards/Howard’s Old Buffs (After the buff disease). facings and the regimental colonel 1737-1749). The Devil’s Royals (A Peninsular War nickname The Nutcrackers (After the way the Regiment smashed originating from their celebrated charge at the Battle of French heads in the Peninsular War). Vimiera in 1809 when they charged a French column of The Resurrectionists (After the speed of reforming after five Regiments and routed it.) the Battle of Albuhera). The Gallant Half-Hundred. The Admiral’s Regiment (Origin not known) The Celestials (After the colour of the 97th Foot’s heavenly blue facings). The Mediterranean Greys (After the name given to them The East Surrey Regiment in Gibraltar in 1743 because of the elderly look of all ranks after ten years in station). Nicknames The Young Buffs (After being mistaken for the Buffs at The Middlesex Regiment the Battle of Dettingen by King George II, because of the Regiment’s buff facings). Motto The Other Surrey Regiment. Ich Dien (I Serve). The Glasgow Greys (From the 70th Foot, having been raised in Glasgow and having grey facings). Nicknames The Die Hards (After Colonel Inglis’s exhortation at the The Royal Sussex Regiment Battle of Albuhera). The Mids. Nicknames The Steelbacks The Belfast Regiment (from being raised in 1701 by the The Pot Hooks (After the shape of the numerals of the Earl of Donegall). 77th Foot). The Orange Lillies (After the colour of their facings and the capture of the French Fleur-de-lis, from the Royal The Queen’s Regiment Roussillon Regiment at the Battle of Quebec 1759). The Prince of Orange’s Own Regiment. Motto Unconquered I Serve (From the combination of mottoes from The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and the Middlesex Regiment).

59 Further Regimental Documents

The Regimental Journal Officers’ Handbook The Regimental Website

The Regimental Journal is The Handbook for officers provides Further details of the Princess of published by Regimental details on Regimental traditions Wales’s Royal Regiment can be Headquarters annually and and aspects of etiquette. obtained on the Regimental page of contains current information on all the Army Website: regimental activities. The Officers’ Club www.army.mod.uk Directory The Regimental Standing Regimental Heritage Orders The Officers’ Club Directory lists all serving and retired members of The Virtual Museum Website is: The Regimental Standing Orders the Officers’ Club, with their contact www.armytigers.com provide further details on all details. It is updated regularly. aspects of the Regiment. They include dress regulations, more detail on traditions and procedures and the full list of battle honours.

Turning the Page Ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral

In 1926 The Buffs placed their ‘Book of Life’, which contained the names of members of the Regiment killed in the Great War, in the Warrior’s Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral. Further ‘Books of Life’ commemorating those who died in the Second World War whilst serving in the Buffs including many Danes, and their allied Regiment, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada were subsequently added. The Queen’s Regiment and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment also now have their ‘Books of Life’ there, and the Chapel is now designated the Regimental Chapel. At 1100 hours every weekday a short ceremony is held at the Chapel when a page of a ‘Book of Life’ is turned, followed by prayers. A duplicate book of remembrance for The Queen’s Regiment and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is also on display within Regimental Headquarters for ease of access by visitors.

The Regimental Collect

‘Almighty God, the strength of Wales’s Royal Regiment such a Country, upholding those noble those who put their trust in measure of Thy grace that in both traditions of which they are the Thee and the hope of those who peace and war they win Thy favour, proud inheritors. We ask this for serve and follow Thee; grant to and with courage and loyalty the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. the members of The Princess of faithfully serve the Queen and Amen’.

60 Regimental Marches (Old and New)

The Regimental Quick March is ‘The Farmer’s Boy’ (From The Royal Hampshire Regiment) leading into ‘Soldiers of The Queen’ (From The Queen’s Regiment). The words of these two marches are set out at the end of this Guide.

The Regimental Slow March is ‘The Minden Rose’ (From The Royal Hampshire Regiment).

The main forebear regimental marches, which are often played on regimental occasions are as follows:

The Queen’s Regiment - Quick: ‘Soldiers of The Queen’. Slow: ‘The Caledonian’.

The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment - Quick: ‘Braganza’/‘Lass O’Gowrie’, ‘Old Queens’. (Only played in the Officers Mess and never on Parade). ‘A Life on The Ocean Waves’. Slow: ‘Huntingdonshire’.

The Queen’s Own Buffs - Quick: ‘The Buffs’ / ‘A Hundred Pipers’. Slow: ‘Man of Kent’.

The Royal Sussex Regiment - Quick: ‘The Royal Sussex’ / ‘Lass of Richmond Hill. ‘’. (Marching song) Slow: ‘Roussillon’.

The Royal Hampshire Regiment - Quick: ‘The Hampshire’ / ‘Cork Hill’ / ‘We’ll Gang nae mair to yon toun’. Slow: ‘The Minden Rose’

The Middlesex Regiment - Quick: ‘Sir ’ / ‘Paddy’s Resource’. Slow: ‘Caledonian’. (Also the slow march of The Queen’s Regiment).

NB: The Quick March ‘Viscount Nelson’ is never played following the deaths of seven members of the Regimental Band of 2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment, who were killed when playing the tune when the band was blown up at Youghal, County Cork on 31st . Nineteen others were wounded.

61 The Forces

The (ACF) and the (CCF) play an important role within the Regimental family. The Regiment has a large number of affiliated ACF Detachments and CCF Contingents spread right across the Regimental area from Kent to the Channel Islands. The details of all these Cadet units are contained within Regimental Standing Orders. Their training, which is supported whenever possible by the Regular and Reserve units of the Regiment, develops the character, determination, and motivation of young people. There are many ex- Cadets now serving within the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

62 Alliances and Affiliations

Alliances

THE

The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC). (From an Alliance between The Queen’s and the Queen’s Rangers in 1928).

The South Albert Light Horse From an alliance with The East Surreys in 1934, The South Regiment was (RCAC) called The 31st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force).

49th (Sault Ste Marie) From an affiliation in 1932 with The Hampshire Regiment). Field Regiment RCA

The Queen’s Own Rifles of ( had ‘The Buffs’ as their regimental march and a friendship began Canada in 1914. At one stage The Queen’s Own Buffs and later The Queen’s Regiment always had an officer from each attached to the other). The Hastings and Prince (From an alliance with The Royal Sussex forged in 1934). Regiment

1st Battalion The New Royal (From an alliance in 1925 between The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Brunswick Regiment and The Carleton . The white horse of Kent is the centrepiece (Carleton & York) of their badge).

The and Kent Scottish - (From an alliance in 1925 between The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and The Kent Regiment).

THE

The Royal New South Wales (This regiment’s forebears were allied to The Queen’s and The East Surrey Regiment Regiment in 1929/1930).

The University of New South (This is a link with The Middlesex Regiment whose forebears had both served in Wales Regiment New South Wales in the 19th century).

The Royal Western Australia (This was an alliance with The Royal Sussex Regiment. Sir , Regiment Governor of Australia, had commanded The 4th Royal Sussex at Gallipoli in the First World War).

THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY

2nd Battalion (Nelson (From an alliance approved in 1913 between The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Marlborough and West Coast) Regiment and the 1st (Canterbury) Regiment). Regiment Battalion Group

5th Battalion and Wellington, (From an alliance approved in 1913 between the 30th Wellington Battalion of West Coast and Taranaki) Rifles and the Middlesex Regiment. The New Zealanders had fought as the 11th Regiment Battalion Group of Regiment (Taranaki) with the 57th Foot in the Maori War – the alliance was shared the Royal New Zealand with the Hampshire Regiment (1925)). Regiment

THE ARMY

12th, 14th, 15th and 17th (The 12th were with The Queen’s in the same Brigade at the Arakan and Kohima Battalions, The Punjab in the Second World War. The 14th, 15th, and 17th were with The Royal Sussex Regiment Regiment in the same brigade in Eritrea, North Africa and Italy in the same conflict).

63 Alliances and Affiliations

Affiliations

THE ROYAL NAVY

HMS Excellent (From The Queen’s, inheriting the traditions of Queen Charlotte from the 1794).

The Royal Marines (A ‘bond of friendship’). (From The East Surrey Regiment (Villiers’ Marines). An officer from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment serves with a commando unit, whilst a Royal Marines officer serves on an exchange posting with the Regiment).

THE ARMY

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (From The Buffs and The Battle of Albuhera when The returned The Regimental Colour. Also from The 77th (later East Middlesex Regiment) Foot, which fought a brilliant rearguard action with the 5th Foot at El Boden in 1811).

The Royal Anglian Regiment (From The East Surrey Regiment and The Leicesters in December 1941, when they formed The British Battalion in Malaya).

The Royal Regiment of Scotland (From The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, when the Regiment was brigaded with The King’s Own Scottish Borderers in the Great War).

THE

No 3 (F) Royal Air Force

The Royal Danish Life Guards (An ‘Unofficial Alliance’).

The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (Maintaining the links established by The Buffs with The City of London. Established by The Queen’s Regiment in 1984.)

35 Regiment D’Infanterie (France) – A PWRR affiliation. To seek closer relationship after recent conflicts.

64 Regimental Tree History of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment

Published by Regimental Headquarters The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2015.

The illustrations in this book are the copyright of the artists. To remove any of these illustrations and offer them for sale in any way, whether processed or not, constitutes an infringement of Copyright which will be strictly enforced by the Publishers and Artists concerned

6 THE WORDS OF THE REGIMENTAL MARCH OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES’S ROYAL REGIMENT

‘THE FARMERS BOY’ / ‘SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN’

‘The sun had set behind yon hill, Across the dreary moor, When weary and lame a boy there came Up to a farmer’s door.

Can you tell me where ever there be, A chance to find employ, To plough and sow, to reap and mow, And be a farmer’s boy, And be a farmer’s boy.’

‘It’s the soldiers of the Queen my lads, Who’ve been my lads, who’ve seen my lads. In the fight for England’s glory lads, Of its worldwide glory let us sing. And when we say we’ve always won, And when they ask us how it’s done, We’ll proudly point to every one, Of England’s soldiers of the Queen’.

The Regiment that learns from the past and looks to the future 2