Regiments and Corps

The Colours of the Welsh Guards being paraded at Horse Guards, 2015

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The regimental system

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

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The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)

This rifle regiment was formed in 1800 and was one of the first to undergo light infantry training. In 1966, it merged with the two other regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade to form The Royal Green Jackets.

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Royal Tank Regiment

This British Army armoured regiment was formed in 1917. Since then, it has served in many campaigns around the world as part of the Royal Armoured Corps.

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The Scots Guards

This foot guard regiment was formed in 1662. As well as guarding the monarch and carrying out ceremonial duties, it has served on active deployments with the British Army throughout its history.

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The reception of the Colours of the disbanded Irish regiments, Windsor Castle, 1922

The Story of the Disbanded Irish Regiments

In 1922, the creation of the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland) led to the disbandment of six regiments of the British Army which had traditionally recruited there. This video provides a brief overview of their story.

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Machine Gun Corps

This corps was formed in 1915 to help meet the demands of trench warfare on the Western Front. It was disbanded in 1922 as part of cost-saving efforts to reduce the Army to peacetime levels.

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Royal Army Medical Corps

Formed in 1898, but within origins dating back to the 1660s, this specialist corps was responsible for maintaining the health of British Army service personnel. In 2024, it merged with two other corps to form the Royal Army Medical Service.

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Other ranks’ cap badge, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, c1940

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1674 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1968, it was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

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The Lancashire Fusiliers

This infantry unit was raised in 1688 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1968, it was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

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Cap badge, The Northumberland Fusiliers, c1920

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

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Cap badge, The Leicestershire Regiment, c1898

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1688 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1964, it was amalgamated with three other regiments of the East Anglian Brigade to form The Royal Anglian Regiment.

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The Northamptonshire Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1960, when it was amalgamated with The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment to form the 2nd East Anglian Regiment.

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Cap badge, other ranks, The Lincolnshire Regiment, c1910

The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1960, it was amalgamated with The Northamptonshire Regiment to form the 2nd East Anglian Regiment.

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Regiments and Corps

The regimental system

Explore Regiments and Corps stories

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