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| Dorset and Wiltshire Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Dorset and Wiltshire Regiment |
| Caption | Cap badge of the regiment |
| Dates | 1 November 1958–1 April 2007 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry, mechanised infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison | Bulford Camp, Dorchester |
| Motto | "Firm" |
| Colors | Buff and red |
| Notable commanders | Sir Ian Hamilton, Sir Gerald Templer, Sir Michael Rose |
| Anniversaries | Battle of Albuhera |
Dorset and Wiltshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1958 by the amalgamation of the Dorset Regiment and the Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's), serving until its 2007 amalgamation into the Royal Regiment of Scotland-adjacent restructuring that led to the creation of The Rifles. The regiment deployed across Northern Ireland, Germany, Falkland Islands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan, drawing traditions from antecedent county regiments such as the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot and the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot. It maintained garrisons at Bulford Camp and Salisbury Plain and preserved historic links with Dorchester, Salisbury and the counties of Dorset and Wiltshire.
The regiment was created after defence reviews led to the amalgamation of the Dorset Regiment and the Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) on 1 November 1958, part of broader reforms including the 1957 Defence White Paper and the Cold War reorganisations tied to NATO commitments. Early Cold War deployments included postings to West Germany under British Army of the Rhine, exercises with BAOR formations and training at Sennelager and Hohne Camp. In the 1970s and 1980s the regiment conducted tours in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, operating alongside units such as the Royal Ulster Constabulary and under command structures influenced by the Army Board. In 1982 elements deployed to the Falklands War logistics and garrison duties following the Falklands Islands campaign. The 1990s saw service on United Nations and NATO peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and deployments under IFOR and SFOR. Post-2001, battalions served in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), aligning operationally with Multi-National Division (South-East) and Task Force Helmand frameworks until structural changes from the 2004 Defence White Paper and the Future Army restructuring culminated in the regiment's amalgamation into The Rifles and subsequent regimental lineage transfers in 2007.
The regiment traditionally fielded a single regular battalion, supported by Territorial Army elements including the Territorial Army (United Kingdom) units and county cadet detachments linked to Army Cadet Force. It inherited company and platoon lineages from the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot and 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot, maintaining an internal structure of HQ Company, A Company, B Company and Support Company, with detachments based at Dorchester, Salisbury and Taunton. Command appointments included commanding officers who previously served in Staff College, Camberley and who later held senior positions at Ministry of Defence and within NATO command elements. The regimental depot preserved administrative functions at county depots associated with The Rifles Regimental Headquarters and linkage to the Army Recruiting Group for manpower pipelines.
Operational tours encompassed counter-insurgency and peacekeeping roles: multiple tours in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s–1990s involved operations in Belfast, Londonderry and Armagh; deployments to West Germany were part of Cold War deterrence alongside Royal Tank Regiment and Parachute Regiment training exchanges; UN and NATO missions included service in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War and peace enforcement under Operation Grapple-style taskings. Post-2001 operations included battalions serving in Iraq under Operation Telic and in Afghanistan under Operation Herrick, operating with armoured and aviation elements such as the Household Cavalry Regiment and 5 Regiment Army Air Corps. The regiment undertook amphibious training with Royal Marines and combined-arms exercises with 1st Armoured Division and 3rd Mechanised Division.
The regiment retained battle honours inherited from its antecedents dating to the Peninsular War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, the Second Boer War, both World War I and World War II, including honours for the Somme, Arras, Gazala, El Alamein, Normandy Landings and the Rhine Crossing. Regimental traditions included commemorations of the Battle of Albuhera day, regimental memorials in Dorchester and Salisbury Cathedral, and affiliations with civic authorities such as county lord-lieutenants and the Dorset County Council and Wiltshire Council. Colours and battle honours were paraded during annual events like the Remembrance Sunday services at the National Memorial Arboretum and regimental anniversaries observed with associations including the Regimental Association (United Kingdom) and former officers who served in campaigns with leaders like Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and General Sir Mike Jackson.
The dress and insignia combined elements from antecedent regiments: cap badges incorporated motifs from Dorset and Wiltshire heraldry, the stable belt featured buff and coloured stripes linked to county colours, and scarlet and buff distinctions were used for ceremonial tunics influenced by patterns worn at Wellington Barracks. Tactical uniform included combat dress conforming to British Army uniform standards, with stable patterns evolving through the introduction of Personal Load Carrying Equipment (PLCE) and Osprey body armour. Regimental silver, colours and trophies were displayed at the regimental museum, which preserved collections of uniforms, medals including Victoria Cross and Military Cross holders' items, and archives held in partnership with county archives at Dorset County Museum and Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
The regiment maintained alliances with Commonwealth and international units such as the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, the Canadian Army infantry regiments, and linked with territorial regiments including the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. Affiliations extended to civic bodies in Dorchester and Salisbury, cadet organisations like the Army Cadet Force detachments in Dorset and Wiltshire, and connections with veterans' organisations including the Royal British Legion and regimental associations preserving links with former battalions and antecedent regiments.
Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2007