Royal Welch Fusiliers always remained seated for the national anthem. I'm told it stems from the battle of York town (?) when the regiment showed their loyality to the monarch.

The Rifle Brigade/RGJ wore their cap badge behind the left eye and not above. This is because the cap badge carried the regiments battle honours and as such the men wouldn't be seen as hiding behind them.

the Rifles (95th) had the first lance corporals - the Chosen Man. This was a local rank that became army wide. It started because the Rifles often deployed in small groups and the senior Rifleman - a chosen man - would be picked to command them. So as to be identified he would tie a strip of white flanelette around his arm

Originally Posted by old_fat_and_hairy

Rifle regiments never, ever had bayonets! They had swords. Which looke remarkably like bayonets.

you mean remarably like short swords?

Originally Posted by blonde_guy

Originally Posted by Barrack Room Lawyer

Originally Posted by Tawahi-50

The Wiltshire Regiment had a custom of striking ship's time, the tradition carried on when they merged with the Royal Berkshires to become the DERR

I take it this was scrapped/lost/forgotten with the formation of the RGBW?

Given 1 Rifles current role surely this tradition could be resurrected?

You would of thought so, I was very suprised the Brandywine Flash got binned seeing as it was a DERR and LI tradition!

Originally Posted by DemsMaShoes

Royal Welch Fusiliers always remained seated for the national anthem. I'm told it stems from the battle of York town (?) when the regiment showed their loyality to the monarch.

Read this in an old Pitkin book but found it also online:

The Loyal Toast is never proposed in the Officers Mess of the Royal Welch Fusiliers except on Saint David's Day. Furthermore, the Officers and their guests do not stand when the band plays The Nation Anthem at the conclusion of its programme. This custom has no written origin, but has been handed down from generation to generation. At the time of the Mutiny at the Nore in 1797, the Warrant Officers, NCOs and men of The Royal Welch Fusiliers were asked to join the mutineers. Their response was to submit an address to their Commanding Officer for forwarding to the King, expressing their unswerving loyalty to the Crown. A copy of their address is in the Regimental Museum, and an endorsement by the Commanding Officer verifies that it was signed 'by the whole Corps unanimously'. His Majesty King George, as Prince of Wales, as Prince Regent, and also as Monarch would from time to time dine with the regiment. On one of these occasions, no doubt mindful of the Regiment's declaration of loyalty during the mutiny, he is said to have expressed the wish that the Loyal Toast should be dispensed with as 'The loyalty of the Royal Welch is never in doubt'.

wonderful.

[quote="Barrack Room Lawyer"]

Originally Posted by Tawahi-50

The Wiltshire Regiment had a custom of striking ship's time, the tradition carried on when they merged with the Royal Berkshires to become the DERR

I take it this was scrapped/lost/forgotten with the formation of the RGBW?[/quote="Farmers Boys"]

Seems likely that it was carried on; as the HMS Vernon bell played a part in the amalgamation parade.

As befits a modern Regiment the formation Parade of the 1st Battalion Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. took place in a soldier like and business manner. The Commanding Officer Lt Col Patrick Davidson-Houston addressed the Battalion at that time numbering 25 Officers and 710 other ranks. This formation parade was a practical and symbolic occasion to mark the beginning of the Regiment. It was not a formal ceremonial parade. That was to come later in June at Windsor. The Battalion marched through the Barrack Gates behind the band, they there halted and faced the unfurled Regimental flag. On the third strike of the 'H.M.S.Vernon Bell', the Regimental flag was broken, symbolizing the start of the new Regiment.

Source Farmers Boys

I see they also continued the Gloster's tradition of having the streamer of the Presidential Unit Citation tied to the top of their Regimental Colour.

The South Wales Borderers used to have a silver wreath hung at the top of their Queen's Colour. The wreath was presented by Queen Victoria in memory of the of Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill who died in trying to save the Colours of the 1st Battalion a Isandlwana, and the defence of Rorke's Drift by B Company of the 2nd Battalion.

As far as I know, this tradition is still carried on by the Royal Welsh

Originally Posted by finnjim

What was it about the Gloster Regt and the backward facing capbadge, IIRC it dated back to Korea but the details I don't recall.

Its Egypt and I believe a battle of the nile delta Napoleonic wars so only 250 years out but they did earn fame in Korea as well!

Just had a memory from a few years ago....was on a visit to Warminster, hosted by a subbie from the WFR....who had a 95shirt on but sewn the rank on his shoulders. Apparently they all did it in the regiment, only ever wore rank on their shoulders despite C95 chest epaulettes.

Anyone know why?

Originally Posted by TheSpecialOne

Originally Posted by old_fat_and_hairy

Rifle regiments never, ever had bayonets! They had swords. Which looke remarkably like bayonets.

you mean remarably like short swords?

Except during SLR days, for example.

Originally Posted by ugly

Originally Posted by finnjim

What was it about the Gloster Regt and the backward facing capbadge, IIRC it dated back to Korea but the details I don't recall.

Its Egypt and I believe a battle of the nile delta Napoleonic wars so only 250 years out but they did earn fame in Korea as well!

Correct, its Egypt (the fact the back badge says "Egypt" is a bit of a giveaway).

Battle of Alexandria in 1801, 28th Foot (North Gloucestershire).
Some French cavalry broke through the 42nd on the 28th's flank and formed up to charge the 28th in the rear. With no reserves available, Lt. Col. Chambers gave the historic order "Rear rank, 28th! Right about face!"

The rear ranks of the 28th turned and fired one volley, causing heavy casualties amongst the French cavalry and forcing them to withdraw.

The Glosters have a battle honour from Hill 327 (Imjin) in Korea 1950-51.