ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by buges

Yes stickybomb, 43rd (Oxs) 52nd (Bucks) that goes without saying.

Not quite, its the other way around but never mind. The 2nd Bn were colloquially known as the 52nd during WW2 and probably were up until amalgamation.
I can't think that they will insist on changing crossbelts; they never did before. However, I took Gen Cottam's letter to say that the belt would bear a Maltese Cross -- no mention of the whole RGJ badge. Looks like we still lose the crowns and laurels.

Anyone think this page is in need of updating?

Stickybomb: Sorry mate, but you are wrong, it is :

43rd Oxs and 52nd Bucks.

If thats the case with the cross belts, i know someone thats going to be very pi55ed off, hes just brought a leather cross belt with solid siler
RB badges on, cost him a small fortune.

ha ha ha, i always said he had to much money.

Bad CO - instead of updating the page my friend, simply read a different one. i'm sorry but there is going to be alot of change and people need to talk about it.

Actually your right: it is boring - but what the hell !!!!!!!!!!!!

Oooppppsssss, missed the "V" out of silVer.

From the RGJ website:


"We aim to be the black button regiment at the forefront of military thinking and with each of our five regular battalions in vital, operational roles.

We must acknowledge the origins, history and important regional links of the former regiments coming together in this very positive move. They all serve to underpin the national identity that will belong to The Rifles. At the same time there is complete and generous agreement that to be a rifle regiment, no colours will be carried, and the capbadge will be in the style of the Light Infantry bugle, with no red backing. A Maltese Cross worn on the cross belt or waist belts of every Rifleman, will carry the key battle honours of the former regiments."

There is some good news about the new titles.

1. The horrible multi-badge TA regiments have gone and now all (less LONDONS) are battalions of parent regiments.

2. The move of LONDONS to Guards Div does make sense. Personally I would prefer if thet adopted their own single cap badge. There is no reason to be multi-badged. The LONDONS can claim a direct decendency of the largest infantry regiment of all times with plenty of battle honours (although it was multi-badged itself).

3. Once the HS battalions of the R IRISH have gone, it would be good to rename the RANGERS as per R IRISH.

I will not comment on the actual names of the new regiments, but as per the above I think it is progress for the inf as a whole.

but spare a thought for the TA units that are being re-badged. It must be hard for them to lose their heritage. I wonder how many will leave over this.

Originally Posted by Burgers

2/3rds of the LI come from County Duham and Yorkshire and even the Jackets mostly recruit from Fijii. The rest come from London, Ox and Bucks (hence the original title) or Shropshire.

Probably make that 1/3rd from Durham, would a West Riding recruit join a Southern 'English' regiment or join the Yorkshire Regiment? I am ignoring any family history (which would be another factor) but how much PR is the local media going to give a 'foreign' regiment over the Yorkshire Regiment.
Even parts of Lincolnshire, Derbys and Notts will think the Yorks are their local regiment (and not the Anglians/Mericians)