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Pages from the diary of Captain Philip Townsend

A Soldier's Life

In Their Own Words: Captain Philip Townsend

Philip Townsend was an Irish gentleman. In 1756, he travelled to North America, where he fought against the French in the Seven Years War. His diary provides an insight into frontier warfare and the assault on Louisbourg.

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4th Queen’s Own Hussars

This British Army cavalry regiment was formed in 1685. It served in many campaigns until 1958, when it was merged into The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars.

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7th Queen’s Own Hussars

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1689. It went on to serve with the British Army until 1958, when it merged with the 3rd Hussars to form The Queen’s Own Hussars.

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3rd The King’s Own Hussars

This cavalry regiment was formed in 1685. It went on to serve in many British Army campaigns until 1958, when it became part of The Queen’s Own Hussars.

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The Queen’s Own Hussars

This armoured unit was formed in 1958 by amalgamating the 3rd Hussars and the 7th Hussars, both of which had existed since the 1680s. It was the senior light cavalry regiment of the British Army.

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Royal Corps of Signals

The Royal Corps of Signals is a combat support arm that provides vital communication and information systems for the British Army, wherever it operates in the world.

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Special Boat Service

This is Britain’s maritime special forces unit. Since the Second World War, its highly trained men have served around the world, on land and at sea, often carrying out daring undercover raids and engaging in marine counter-terrorism.

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The Parachute Regiment

Established in 1942, this regiment forms Britain’s elite airborne infantry. Its soldiers are trained to be resilient, disciplined, versatile, aggressive in battle and self-reliant.

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Special Air Service

Created during the Second World War, the SAS operated behind enemy lines in North Africa and Europe. Today, its highly trained men are renowned for their skills in covert surveillance, close-combat fighting and hostage rescue.

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Queen’s Colour of 6th Battalion The King’s African Rifles, c1958

The regimental system

The regiment or corps is the key administrative component of the British Army. Each has its own history, traditions and insignia. To its soldiers, the regiment is a military family that provides comradeship and a unique identity.

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Formation badge of 30 (XXX) Corps, c1941

British Army organisation

Do you know your brigades from your battalions? Learn more about the organisation of the British Army and the tactical formations it has deployed on campaign.

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10th (Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Hussars, 1812

Cavalry roles

Soldiers who fought on horseback were known as cavalry. Often dominating the battlefield, they performed a variety of roles, from smashing enemy formations to scouting and reconnoitring.

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British Army ranks

A soldier’s rank indicates his position in the military hierarchy. But what ranks are there in the British Army and how are they denoted?

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