The Green Howards

The Green Howards
Unit name	The Green Howards
Dates	1688–2006
Country	Kingdom of England; Kingdom of Great Britain; United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Line infantry, Light infantry
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Richmond Barracks, North Yorkshire
Nickname	The Green Howards
Colors	Rifle green facings
March	"The Mascot"
Anniversaries	Alamein Day

The Green Howards was an infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1688 and amalgamated in 2006. The regiment recruited principally from North Riding of Yorkshire, served in major conflicts including the War of the Spanish Succession, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, the Second Boer War, both World Wars, and operations in Korea, Northern Ireland, and Iraq, and amalgamated into the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and later the Yorkshire Regiment. It was noted for distinctive rifle-green facings, strong county links, and a history of honors including multiple Victoria Cross awards.

History

The regiment originated in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution as a unit raised by Henry, Earl of Northumberland, later commanded by figures such as Colonel Richard Leveson and officers connected with the Revolutionary Wars. In the 18th century it fought under commanders involved in the War of the Spanish Succession, including service alongside formations led by the Duke of Marlborough at actions comparable to the Battle of Ramillies and the Battle of Oudenarde. During the Napoleonic Wars detachments served in campaigns tied to the Peninsular War under leaders such as Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and engaged with units from the French Empire. The regiment saw service in the Crimean War at sieges alongside the British Army, the Royal Navy, and Ottoman allies, and later undertook garrison and expeditionary duties across the British Empire, including in India, Egypt, and South Africa during the Second Boer War under commanders like Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener. In the 20th century it expanded for the First World War and the Second World War, deploying to the Western Front, North Africa, Italy, and North-West Europe, and contributed battalions to formations commanded by Douglas Haig, Bernard Montgomery, and others. Postwar service included deployments during the Korean War as part of the United Nations Command, security duties in Palestine, operations in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, internal security in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and later tours in Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2006 the regiment amalgamated as part of reforms by the Ministry of Defence into a new structure that created the Yorkshire Regiment.

Organisation and Structure

Historically the regiment comprised battalions raised at times as 1st and 2nd Battalions, militia battalions associated with the Cardwell Reforms and Childers Reforms, and later Territorial Army battalions allied with county units such as the Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Rifles). Its depot was at Richmond Barracks, North Yorkshire, and it formed part of brigades and divisions within the British Expeditionary Force, Home Forces, and postwar structures integrated with commands like I Corps and 1st Infantry Brigade. Linking to recruiting areas in Yorkshire, the regiment maintained affiliations with local institutions including the York Minster, the University of Leeds officers' training corps, and volunteer formations such as the Territorial Army. Commanding officers included senior figures who later served at higher rank within the British Army, and its organization adapted through reforms such as the Cardwell Reforms, the Childers Reforms, and late-20th-century defence reviews by the Ministry of Defence.

Operational Service

The regiment served in expeditionary campaigns and major wars. In the First World War battalions fought in battles associated with the Battle of the Somme, the Third Battle of Ypres, and defensive operations during the German Spring Offensive. In the Second World War battalions saw action at Dunkirk, in the North African Campaign including El Alamein, the Italian Campaign including the Gothic Line, and the North-West Europe Campaign after D-Day, operating alongside formations under Allied Expeditionary Force command. Post-1945 deployments included action in the Korean War as part of the United Nations Command, counter-insurgency in the Malayan Emergency under the Far East Land Forces, internal security operations during The Troubles coordinated with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and British Army commands, and peacekeeping or stabilization roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq in the 1990s–2000s, operating with NATO and coalition partners such as United States Armed Forces units.

Regimental Traditions and Insignia

The regiment was widely known by a traditional title reflecting its facing color; its uniform featured rifle green facings and buttons distinctive among line infantry, a tradition linked to early distinctions against regiments with red facings worn by units like the Coldstream Guards and the Grenadier Guards. Its cap badge incorporated symbols connected to county heritage and royal patronage, and its colours bore battle honours granted by monarchs such as King George V and Queen Elizabeth II. Regimental music and customs included marches and mess traditions performed at functions attended by figures from institutions like the Royal Family, including events presided over by members such as Princess Alexandra and endorsements from colonels-in-chief. The regiment maintained alliances with Commonwealth units including regiments from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and commemorated anniversaries such as Alamein Day with ceremonies at military sites like The Cenotaph and memorials in Richmond.

Battle Honours and Victoria Crosses

Battle honours awarded to the regiment spanned engagements from the War of the Spanish Succession through the Second Boer War and both World Wars, encompassing names such as Ramillies, Alma, Lucknow, Paardeberg, Somme 1916, Ypres 1917, El Alamein, and Anzio. Individual gallantry awards included multiple Victoria Cross recipients drawn from its ranks during conflicts including the First World War and Second World War; these VCs were awarded to soldiers recognized alongside peers decorated with honours such as the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. The regiment's roll of honour is displayed in memorials and regimental records held by institutions such as the Imperial War Museum and local archives in North Yorkshire.

Regimental Museum and Legacy

The regimental museum curated collections of uniforms, medals, colours, and archives documenting service records, letters, and photographs; it worked with heritage bodies like the Imperial War Museum, the National Army Museum, and local authorities. Exhibits traced links to figures such as medal recipients whose stories are cited in works held by libraries including the British Library and university collections. After amalgamation, artifacts and traditions were transferred to successor regiments including the Prince of Wales's Regiment successors and incorporated into the Yorkshire Regiment heritage program, with commemorations maintained at sites such as Richmond Castle and regional museums in Yorkshire.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1688 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2006