Royal Anglian Regiment
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| Royal Anglian Regiment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Unit name | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| Caption | Cap badge of the regiment |
| Dates | 1964–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry, mechanised infantry |
| Size | Battalion-sized units |
| Garrison | Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester |
| Nickname | The Poachers |
| Motto | Stabilis |
| Colors | Black and Buff |
| March | Widecombe Fair |
Royal Anglian Regiment is a county regiment of the British Army formed in 1964 by the amalgamation of several line infantry regiments from East Anglia and the East Midlands. It serves as part of the British Army infantry with battalions that have deployed on operations across Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). The regiment maintains links with civic institutions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Rutland.
History
The regiment was created under Defence restructuring directed by the Ministry of Defence and the Secretary of State for War in 1964 through the amalgamation of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, the Suffolk Regiment, the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment, the Leicestershire Regiment, the Northamptonshire Regiment, and others inheriting antecedents dating to the Cardwell Reforms and the Childers Reforms. Early years saw postings to Hong Kong, garrison duty in West Germany with the British Army of the Rhine, and internal security duties during the The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Elements of the regiment fought in the Falklands Campaign and provided battalions for the First Gulf War and Operation Telic in Iraq. During the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), battalions operated alongside units from the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Green Jackets, and the Scots Guards. Structural reforms under the Options for Change and later the Army 2020 programme reshaped the regiment, linking it to the Infantry Battle School, the Army Recruiting and Training Division, and regional Reserve Forces.
Organisation and Units
The regiment is organised into regular and reserve battalions aligned with the Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East and the 1st (United Kingdom) Division. Regular battalions have been based at Colchester Garrison, Bury St Edmunds, and Duke of York's Headquarters, and have rotated through brigade assignments including the 16 Air Assault Brigade and 7th Armoured Brigade. Reserve companies drawn from the Army Reserve maintain affiliations with county regimental associations such as the Norfolk and Suffolk Regiment Association and the Lincolnshire Association. The regiment maintains an association with the Royal Anglian Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and cadet affiliations with the Army Cadet Force and the Combined Cadet Force across East Anglia.
Traditions and Insignia
Traditional dress and insignia reflect antecedent regiments including cap badges derived from the Castle of Norwich, the Suffolk Punch, and heraldic elements from Leicester and Lincoln. The regimental colours combine battle honours carried from the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, the Boer War, and both World War I and World War II engagements. The regiment's mascot and regimental quick march, "Widecombe Fair", are performed at ceremonies alongside standards such as the Victoria Cross and the George Cross when displayed. Associations maintain memorials at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Chelmsford Cathedral, and regimental monuments in Aldeburgh and Lincoln.
Operational Deployments
Regular and reserve battalions have deployed on peacekeeping and combat operations: tours to Belfast and Derry during Operation Banner; participation in the Falklands War including actions around Port Stanley; service in the First Gulf War theatre during Operation Granby; multiple rotations to Iraq in Operation Telic and Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, including operations in Helmand Province and Kandahar Province. The regiment has also contributed to United Nations-mandated missions and NATO commitments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and training missions in Iraq and Sierra Leone. Collaborations occurred with units such as the Royal Marines, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Logistic Corps, and coalition partners including the United States Marine Corps and the Canadian Army.
Training and Recruiting
Recruitment draws from counties across East Anglia and the East Midlands, with selection and basic training delivered at the Army Recruiting and Training Division establishments and the Infantry Training Centre depending on role. Advanced infantry training occurs at the Infantry Battle School (Brecon), the Small Arms School Corps, and specialist courses at the Jungle Warfare School and the SAS selection pathway for qualified personnel. Regimental training exercises have been conducted on ranges at Bovington Camp, Otterburn Training Area, and overseas in Canada and Germany. The regiment sustains links with university officer training through the University Officers' Training Corps and commissions officers via the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Battle Honours and Regimental Colours
Inherited battle honours span major actions: Blenheim, Ramillies, Waterloo, the Crimean War including Sevastopol, Mons, Somme, Ypres, El Alamein, Normandy landings, and Caen; later honours include Falklands Islands 1982, Iraq 2003, and Afghanistan 2001–2014. Colours are paraded on regimental days and presented by dignitaries including members of the Royal Family and senior officers from the Ministry of Defence; notable presentations have involved the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.
Notable Personnel and Victoria Cross Recipients
The regiment and its antecedents count among their ranks numerous notable figures such as recipients of the Victoria Cross from antecedent units, senior commanders who served in World War II and the Korean War, and politicians who progressed to prominent roles in Westminster. Distinguished soldiers have included officers later promoted to general officer rank who served with British Army of the Rhine and in NATO command roles. Victoria Crosses associated with antecedent regiments recall actions in India, the Boer War, and World War I at battles like Gallipoli and Passchendaele. The regiment's alumni network includes Members of Parliament, peers in the House of Lords, and recipients of the Order of the Bath and the Distinguished Service Order.
Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1964