Regimental Aide Memoire the REGIMENTAL FAMILY a SHORT HISTORY of the REGIMENT
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Regimental Aide Memoire THE REGIMENTAL FAMILY A SHORT HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT Colonel-in-Chief HM The Queen Formation. The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment was formed on 1st July 2006 from the merger of three historic Colonel of The Regiment Brigadier FM Lawrence Regiments of the North West: Regimental Headquarters Fulwood Barracks, Preston The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment; The King’s Regiment; and THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENT First Battalion Dale Barracks, Chester The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (King’s Lancashire and Border) Second Battalion Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Today the proud histories and traditions of all our forebears We are the Infantry Regiment of the North West of England, a are cherished by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. family Regiment, a Regiment proud of our County birthrights. Pirbright Early History. Our three immediate predecessor Regiments We are Kingsmen, soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster, our Fourth Battalion Kimberley Barracks, Preston were all raised in the 1680s and won early distinction in the Colonel-in-Chief, our Sovereign. Low Countries under William of Orange. At Fontenoy 1745, (Sub units/detachments in Barrow, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bury, their gallant conduct earned them the right to display a laurel We are the Lions of England. Carlisle, Liverpool, Manchester and Workington.) wreath on their Colours and badges. This is still worn in our cap badge today. A KINGSMAN Regimental Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment: Liverpool. North America. We are a major part in the early history of We are proud that our private soldiers are entitled to use the North America and the West Indies, fighting first against the official rank of Kingsman. It is his spirit that epitomises the Affiliated University Officer Training Corps: French and their Native American allies and then in the War Regiment: Liverpool UOTC, Manchester and Salford UOTC. of American Independence and the War of 1812. The Battle Honour ‘Quebec 1759’ is commemorated annually, as is the A Kingsman, regardless of rank, demonstrates professional Army Cadet Force: There are 44 affiliated detachments campaign in Guadeloupe, when the Regiment adopted the excellence and fighting spirit through courage, loyalty, initiative throughout the regimental area. French Fleur de Lys, which is now displayed on our buttons. and resourcefulness. It is a point of pride to say: Combined Cadet Force: 12 affiliated contingents. The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In this struggle “I am a Kingsman”. from 1739 to 1815 the Regiment was widely deployed against Regimental Association Branches: 25 branches across the France and earned 27 Battle Honours, including a Sphinx The Duke of Lancaster’s ethos is to seize the initiative. North West and beyond. badge for their services in Egypt. Among the trophies taken Kingsmen are expected to think for themselves and to rise to are: French Drums captured at Arroyo dos Molinos; and a any challenge, fearing no difficulties and shaping events. He is 2 affiliated RN vessels: HMS Lancaster and HMS Triumph Napoleonic Eagle from the Battle of Salamanca. The the courageous, adaptable fighting man who questions the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815, is orthodox, is comfortable in chaos and delivers success. 19 allied and affiliated foreign and commonwealth observed with a parade when Colours and caps are regiments. decorated with laurel wreaths and leaves. Loyalty to our fellow Kingsmen, our Regiment, our Nation and to our Sovereign and Colonel in Chief, the Duke of Lancaster is Twenty nine Freedom Cities and Towns in the North West: our binding principle. Appleby, Barrow, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Soldiers of The Queen. In the century between the defeat of Carlisle, Chorley, Fylde, Haslingden (Rossendale), Hyndburn, Napoleon and the outbreak of the Great War our The Duke of Lancaster’s style of Command is characterised by Kendal, Knowsley, Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, predecessors were stationed world-wide. a quiet confidence and professionalism that is distinctive, Maryport, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Sefton, Tameside, transparent, no-nonsense and underpinned by a work-hard and Warrington, West Lancs, Ulverston, Whitehaven, Workington play-hard ethos. We place a premium on humour, humility and and Wyre. County Regiments. On 1st July 1881 Infantry throughout honesty. Leaders lead but are inclusive; all who are led are the North West were given the territorial names under which prepared to lead; all efforts are team efforts. they fought in two World Wars: the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), the Our Motto is Nec Aspera Terrent: ‘Difficulties be Damned’. East Lancashire, South Lancashire; Loyal North Lancashire Regiments, and the Manchesters. REGIMENTAL DRESS DISTINCTIONS The Great War 1914-18. In the War we raised 176 battalions, BATTLE HONOURS AND DISTINCTIONS of whom 109 saw active service overseas, earning 124 battle Cap Badge: The Red Rose of Lancaster surmounted by the honours and 43 VCs. The opening day of the Battle of the Royal Crown and surrounded by a Fontenoy Laurel Wreath, Each battalion of the Regiment carries two Colours, the Somme, 1st July 1916 is commemorated annually. with the regimental motto on a scroll beneath the rose. Queen’s Colour bearing 43 selected Battle Honours from the two World Wars and the Regimental Colour bearing a Collar Badges: A pair of silver Lions of England is worn as selection of 46 of our other Battle Honours and Distinctions. The Second World War 1939-1945. In the War we fought collar badges. King William III (William of Orange) conferred across the globe. Three battalions of the Regiment held the this unique honour of bearing this royal badge on the 4th, or perimeter in Dunkirk, earning the only VC awarded for that King’s Own Regiment of Foot, for being one of the first to join REGIMENTAL DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS operation. We also fought in Malaya and Singapore, Iraq, his side when he landed at Torbay in 1688. Syria, Madagascar and North Africa, winning a VC in Tunisia. St George’s Day 23 April We played a prominent part in the liberation of Europe and our Tactical Recognition Flash: A Lion of England in black is set Fontenoy Day 11 May part in the airborne invasion of Sicily is commemorated by the on an olive-green cloth background. Guadeloupe Day 10 June Regiment’s glider flash. We won distinction at the defence of Waterloo Day 18 June the Anzio bridgehead. On D Day we were in the first assault Buttons: Our buttons bear a white Fleur de Lys mounted on Somme Day 01 July wave and later fought at Arnhem, the Ardennes and the gold. Quebec Day 13 September Reichswald. In the Burma campaign, battalions fought at Arroyo Day 28 October Imphal and Kohima and served deep behind enemy lines with Glider Flash: This was awarded to the Border Regiment by Inkerman Day 05 November the famous Chindits. During the War a further 52 Battle King George VI in 1950 in recognition of the part played in the Ladysmith Day 28 February Honours were added to the Regiment’s proud record. airborne invasion of Sicily in July 1943. This was the first operation in which the British Army used glider-borne troops. LEARN MORE Post-War Operations: Since 1945 our predecessors have Beret: Khaki brown, with a Red Diamond patch. A red patch seen active services in Palestine, Korea, the Canal Zone, was worn by the King’s Own and King’s as they were Royal The Regimental Website Malaya, Aden, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and, most Regiments and by the South Lancashires to commemorate recently, Iraq and Afghanistan. their victory at Germantown 1777, when they defeated an Visit our Website for further information at: American army under George Washington. www.army.mod.uk/lancs In total, The Duke of Lancaster’s predecessor regiments have Stable Belt: Maroon, side fastening with black straps. won 59 VCs and 2 GC’s. 13 of our 303 battle honours are We are also on Facebook: unique. We are the only regiment of any army at any time in Parade Belt: White, with gold metal union locket. Central history to carry battle honours from every inhabited continent device: Sphinx superscribed ‘Egypt’ within a Fontenoy Laurel The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment - @LancsRegt on our Colours. Wreath, Royal Crown above and small Rose below. Regimental title ‘Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment’ on surround. Instagram: THE REGIMENTAL RECRUITING AREA Lanyard: Maroon with three knots. The maroon colour @LancsRegt derives from the original facings of the 59th Foot while the The regimental recruiting area spans the North West of knots recall the Regiment’s long association with the Royal And Twitter: England, stretching from the Mersey to the Scottish border and Navy and service under Nelson. from the Pennines to the Irish Sea, including the Isle of Man. @LANCS_REGT REGIMENTAL MARCHES The Regiment has recruited in the North West since 1782 and the region has a strong military tradition of which we are a key Quick March: The Duke of Lancaster part. It continues to produce many of the British Army’s finest soldiers and we are proud to be the North West’s Infantry Slow March: The Red Rose Regiment. .