3 PWRR5 Queens

1971-1973

The restructuring of the TA in 1967, combined with the end of old Territorial battalions and their ultimate reduction to cadre strength meant that the 5th Queens Battalion was, for a time, the sole representative of the Volunteer tradition in the Home Counties. However, the change of Government in 1970 saw the establishment of additional Territorial Home Defence battalions.

During this period the Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, focussed on internal security training based mainly on the experience of PSIs recently returned from Northern Ireland, and recruiting. Annual Camp in 1971 was split with the Signal Platoon going to Gibraltar, the 3rd Battalion, The Fusiliers, A and E Companies travelling to Haltern, West Germany with our own 1st Battalion, and the remainder going to Soltau and Luneburg, again in West Germany, with our 2nd Battalion.

1973-1975

1973 saw a change of command as Lieutenant Colonel Stephenson and Major Harrington took up the reins as Commanding Officer and Battalion Second in Command respectively. After Annual Camp that year, the focus for training switched to preparation for the presentation of new Colours, due in 1974, and the subsequent laying-up of the old Colours of the TA Battalions of the Queen’s Surreys, The Buffs and the Queen’s Own. Thereafter, training was concentrated at company level, and its success was reflected in 1975 when 470 all ranks (90% of the Battalion’s posted strength) attended Annual Camp. Mind you, this was also the first year the Battalion went to Germany as a formed unit, so that might have influenced attendance!

1975-1977

In 1975 the Battalion, now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Courtney, was placed under command of 16th Parachute Brigade. One particularly notable achievement during this period was A Company’s exceptional recruiting success, signing up 75 new recruits in Guildford in one day, and bringing the Company’s strength up to 180 in all ranks. The UK Field Army reorganisation that took place in 1976 saw 16 Parachute Brigade converted into 6th Field Force. As a result of this change, the Battalion joined the mostly regular UK Mobile Force (UKMF), available at short notice for deployment by SACEUR anywhere in Central Europe. The 1977 Annual Camp saw the Battalion complete a one week period of build up training at Stanford before participating in Exercise BOWBELL in Norway. During this exercise the Battalion was visited by SACEUR, General Alexander Haig.

1978-1980

Following its success in Norway the Battalion found itself in very good shape as Lieutenant Colonel Boucher assumed command. The Battalion benefited from a number of improvements; there were increases in the rates of both pay, and the Battalion’s establishment increased to 650, in line with that of a Regular Battalion. With this good news ringing in their ears, the Volunteers departed to Schleswig-Holstein for the 1978 Annual Camp, still part of 6th Field Force.

In 1980 the Battalion participated in Ex TIGERS HEAD, a test exercise organised by UKMF and which included the 3rd and 6/7th Battalions as well as the Signal Platoon of the 1st Battalion. The exercise proved to be a great success as Volunteers were able to see and work with USAF A10s (ground attack aircraft) and “Huey” helicopters, as well as RAF Harriers, Pumas and Chinooks.

1981-1983

In late 1980 Lieutenant Colonel Dixon TD became the first Territorial Commanding Officer since Lieutenant Colonel Willows commanded in 1967. This achievement not only reflected well on Lieutenant Colonel Dixon, but also upon the standard achieved by the Battalion as a whole, one of the few Territorial Battalions to be part of a regular NATO formation. In 1981 the Battalion deployed to Denmark on Exercise AMBER EXPRESS, and saw a new record as over 550 all ranks attended that particular Camp. Whilst at Camp the Battalion was visited for the first time by Her Majesty Queen Margarethe, who visited Battalion HQ and sat for a photograph with the officers in attendance.

At the end of 1981 the association with the 6th Field Force came to an end and the Battalion was assigned to 2nd Infantry Brigade, based at Shorncliffe.

1983-1986

In 1983, and under its new Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd, the Battalion moved to Germany to exercise with 33 Brigade on Exercise TAURUS CHARGE. The first week of this Camp was dedicated to a work up period and involved only trained soldiers; even so the Battalion deployed with over 400 all ranks.  After a brief 36 hour respite, when the Battalion took R&R and visited the Inner German Border, it deployed as an enemy force for Exercise ETERNAL TRIANGLE. Here the Battalion was to lead the Brigade advance, capturing two bridges in helicopter coup de mains attacks, and participating in a night river crossing of the River Weser.

In December 1983 the Battalion was honoured with a second visit from Her Majesty Queen Margarethe, during which she kindly unveiled a portrait of herself, painted by Mr Preben Hornung.

1986-1988

The new Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Joint, joined the Battalion in 1986 during Exercise AUTUMN MIST on Salisbury Plain. During this year the Battalion concentrated on individual training and also exercised the Regiment’s Freedom of Folkestone.

The 1986 Annual Camp was at Vogelsang in West Germany, and again the number attending topped 500 all ranks. An exciting package of live firing, dry training, Molotov cocktail and tank familiarisation drills filled the first week, whilst a Battalion level exercise filled the second.

In January 1987, a team of chefs, managed by the Quartermaster, and comprising Sergeant Wood, Corporal Hammond and Private Doherty, entered exercise COMBAT CATERER, a national inter-unit field cookery contest.  The team won the South East District competition and went on to achieve second place in the UKLF final. A year later, the team, which by now consisted of Sergeant Wood, Corporal Smart and Privates Gedge and Hicks, entered the competition again and this time carried off the UKLF prize.

1988-1990

In the early part of 1988 the Battalion was again focussing on individuals’ skills and gaining significant FIBUA experience. Ongoing issues of new equipments saw the introduction of the new combat helmet, the S10 respirator, and gortex wet weather clothing. Lieutenant Colonel Pearce was now in command and, due to a reorganisation within 1 (BR) Corps, the Battalion found itself under a new operational master, namely 20th Armoured Brigade based in Detmold, part of 4th Armoured Division.

In 1989 the Battalion exercised the Freedom of Tonbridge and Malling. The parade, commanded by Major Argent and with the Regimental Colour carried by Lieutenant Matthews, included the Kohima Volunteer Band, the Corps of Drums and the Recce platoon. The regimental free-fall team also dropped into Tonbridge Castle during the following Beat Retreat Ceremony. For some reason the Tonbridge Courier described the ceremony as “Beating the Recruit” - an error enthusiastically picked up by “Private Eye” magazine!

1990-1993

Major Argent soon became Lieutenant Colonel Argent and he assumed command of the Battalion as only the second Territorial Commanding Officer in almost 10 years. Annual Camp that year saw the Battalion remain in UK, thanks primarily to the momentous changes taking place in Europe at the time, and the constraints imposed by reductions in funding for overseas exercises. However it wasn’t all bad news; the Battalion converted to the new SA80 rifle, and also trained on the NBC Porton Battle Run.

The whole period of Lieutenant Colonel Argent’s command was dominated by “Options for Change” and the restructuring that came with it. Fortunately, the Battalion escaped serious damage, although it had to reduce it retained the 5th Battalion title in the new Regiment, and was assigned to the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).

1993 saw the Battalion involved in the Royal Review for Diana, Princess of Wales. This was a truly splendid occasion, with the Battalion achieving a very high standard of drill. The Parade was a resounding success and all those who took part felt justly proud.

1993-1995

Immediately after the Royal Review, Lt Col Russell assumed command and straight away put the Battalion through its paces on Exercise NORTHERN WARRIOR, the second Camp that year. Training was based on a series of cadres covering leadership, combat skills, signals, driving, reconnaissance, assault pioneering and preparation for the Cambrian Patrol.

Lieutenant Colonel Russell also assumed the mantle of Project Officer for the recently formed Regiment’s publicity. During this period the Battalion played an active part in promoting the Regiment throughout the south-east of England, including recruiting and publicity stunts, open days and local boys’ stories.

In December 1994 the Battalion changed its role to that of a General Reserve Infantry Battalion and, under a review of detachment locations, lost Hounslow as a TA Centre.

October 1995 saw the Battalion Exercise the Freedom of Maidstone. The parade was commanded by Major Cserjen, and the Honorary Colonel Viscount De L’Isle, escorted the Mayor of Maidstone during the inspection.

1996-1998

In December 1995 Lieutenant Colonel Knight MBE, assumed command and the Battalion was soon engaged in a full programme of training activities. These focussed at company level, but also included individual and shooting skills, and FIBUA operations.  Priority was also given to re-establishing an effective recruiting and retention policy by placing the emphasis upon the “fun” aspect of soldiering.

In 1997 the level and pace of training increased with an overseas Camp. Exercise ORIENT EXPRESS took place at Arlon in Belgium, and saw 400 all ranks deployed to enjoy a varied and exciting programme in excellent weather. 

There was still time for B (Kohima) Company, commanded by Major Cannon, to exercise the Freedom of Ashford in June, whilst there were also two successful ascents of Mont Blanc as part of an adventurous training package.

In October 1997 C (Cinque Ports) Company, commanded by Major Lane, exercised the Freedom of Hastings, and was accompanied by the Kohima Band and Corps of Drums.

1998-1999

Lieutenant Colonel Jones joined the Battalion in time for his first weekend to be at the Command and Staff Trainer South (CASTS) formerly BBGT. Achieving an above average result for a Territorial unit this set the scene for a very lively approach to training.

Annual Camp was Exercise TIGERS TOR at Okehampton, which started with the Battalion exercising the Freedom of Ramsgate. As this was on the first day of Camp, it certainly challenged the system; as the Battalion paraded in Ramsgate, all the green vehicles were required to be speeding in the opposite direction to Okehampton. The remainder of Camp centred on cadres for Signals, Recruits, Assault Pioneer, Driver training, Infantry skills and Cambrian Patrol preparation.

In May 1998 Lieutenant Colonel Jones assumed command and was immediately faced with leading the Battalion through the impending Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The results of the review were significant, especially for the TA Infantry and Battalion. In December 1998 it was announced that the Battalion would merge with its sister Battalion, 6/7 PWRR, to form a new Battalion, the 3rd Battalion. Of the Battalion’s 7 TA Drill Halls only Canterbury and Dover were to remain in use with the new Battalion; Guildford, Cobham, Gillingham and Hastings TA Centres were to close, and the Maidstone Drill Hall was to be handed over to the RLC. However, it is clear that the significant numbers of 5th Battalion Volunteers will continue in the 3rd Battalion, and that the future bodes well, even if the immediate future is tinged with regret. 30 June 1999 will be a very sad day for all those with links to the 5th Battalion, but all those Volunteers that have served with the Battalion can take enormous pride from the contribution and achievements they have made to the Regiment, The Territorial Army and the Country as a whole.

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) is the senior English Infantry Regiment of the Line. It was formed on 9th September 1992 by the amalgamation of The Queen’s Regiment and The Royal Hampshire Regiment and is the County Infantry Regiment of Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and Middlesex.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Queen’s Regiment traced its history back to 1572 when Queen Elizabeth I reviewed the Trained Bands of London from which the 3rd Foot descended. Its precedence in the British Army dated from the raising of the 2nd Foot in 1661 for the defence of Tangier, acquired by King Charles II on his marriage to Princess Catherine of Braganza.

The Regiment was formed in 1966 from:

The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment - an amalgamation in 1959 of:

The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
2nd Foot, “The Mutton Lancers”
and
The East Surrey Regiment
31st and 70th Foot, “The Young Buffs”.

The Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment - an amalgamation in 1961 of:

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
3rd Foot, “The Buffs”
and
The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
50th and 97th Foot, “The Dirty Half Hundred”.

The Royal Sussex Regiment
35th and 107th Foot, “The Orange Lillies”

The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
57th and 77th Foot, “The Diehards”.

The Royal Hampshire Regiment, “The Tigers”, stems from an amalgamation in 1881 of the 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment and the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment. The 37th descended from “Meredith’s Regiment”, raised in Ireland in 1702. The 67th was formed in England in 1758 and its first Colonel was James Wolfe, later to be General Wolfe of Quebec fame. The distinction “Royal” was granted to The Hampshire Regiment in 1946 in recognition of past services.

FIGHTING RECORD

The Forebear Regiments of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment fought in nearly all of the major campaigns and wars in which the British Army was engaged. They won no less than 57 Victoria Crosses, an outstanding recorded, and were awarded over 550 Battle Honours including “Tangier 1662-80”, the oldest on any Colour. The most recent VC was won in 2004 by Johnson Beharry in Iraq.

THE REGIMENT TODAY

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is part of the Queen’s Division of Infantry. The Regiment has two Regular Battalions (1st and 2nd) available for service worldwide, two Army Reserve Battalions one with their Headquarters in Canterbury (3rd) and a newly formed based in Redhill (4th) There are also many cadets badged to the Regiment in schools and units in South East England.

Regimental Headquarters is in HM The Tower of London with an Area Headquarters in Canterbury. The main Regimental Museum is in Dover Castle and the Surrey history centre in Woking. Later this year this will be expanding to the Guildford library.

REGIMENTAL DAYS

Three important anniversaries are celebrated as Regimental Days:

Albuhera Day on 16th May honours the exceptional bravery of the 3rd, 31st and 57th Regiments of Foot at the Battle of Albuhera in 1811 during the Peninsular War.

Minden Day on 1st August recalls the Battle in 1759 when the 37th Foot was one of six battalions of British Infantry which defeated massed squadrons of French cavalry for the first time.

Salerno Day on 9th September celebrates the famous landings in Italy in 1943. Uniquely at this battle there were two brigades of Queen's battalions and one brigade of Hampshire battalions. For this reason the present Regiment was formed on this anniversary.

BADGES

Regimental Badge

The Regimental Badge is a composition of the badges of the forebear regiments. The Dragon was awarded to The Buffs, in recognition of their Tudor origin, by Queen Anne, probably in 1707. It was a rare distinction for a Regiment to be thus honoured in those days and it is one of the earliest known Regimental badges.

Below the Tudor Dragon is the Hampshire Rose as worn by the Trained Bands of Hampshire who fought so gallantly for King Henry V at Agincourt in 1415.

The surrounding device inscribed with the motto “HoniSoit Qui Mal Y Pense” (Shame on him who thinks ill of it), is a garter, as awarded to the Knights of the Order of the Garter, England’s oldest Order of Chivalry, founded by King Edward III in 1348. The garter is taken from the badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment and the officers’ badge of The Royal Hampshire Regiment.

The feathers above the Tudor Dragon are the ostrich plumes worn by The Black Prince at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. The 15th Prince of Wales considered the East Middlesex Regiment to be deserving of his plumes for its exploits in India. The award was given the King’s approval in 1810 and was subsequently included in the badge of the Middlesex Regiment.

Sleeve Badges

The Royal Tiger badge which is worn on the left sleeve was authorised for wear by the 67th Foot by King George IV in 1826 when the Regiment returned to England after 21 years in India under active service conditions.  The Regiment’s nickname is “The Tigers”.

In 2018 the Colonel in Chief, HM Queen Margarethe of Denmark gifted, the Regiment the Danish cypher to be worn on the left upper arm whilst wearing FAD.

Collar Badge

The White Horse is ascribed by tradition to Horsa the Saxon and was the main badge of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and later of the Queen’s Own Buffs.

The remainder of this badge is inherited from the Royal Sussex Regiment, whose badge had the Garter Cross in the centre in place of the White Horse. The plume commemorates the defeat by the 35th Foot of the Roussillon Regiment of France at the Battle of Quebec in 1759.

Button Badge

The Paschal lamb is one of the oldest of all regimental badges. It is known to have been worn by the Queen’s in 1715.

The remainder of this badge is inherited from the East Surrey Regiment and, with the Paschal Lamb, was the cap badge of the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment. The star is that of the Order of the Garter.

TRADITIONS

The Regiment has many historic traditions. Among these are:

The Loyal Toast which is drunk seated because of the Regiment’s Naval connections, each mess member and guest responding to the toast in rotation.

The Silent Toast to the “Immortal Memory” of all who fell at the Battle of Albuhera and have subsequently been killed serving with the Regiment This is drunk by officers and sergeants together every Albuhera Day.

The Minden Rose which is worn in the head-dress of all ranks on Minden Day to commemorate the 37th Foot and other five regiments who picked roses as they returned from the battle.

The Sobraon Sergeant who takes charge of the Regimental Colour on each anniversary of the Battle of Sobraon (10th February 1846) in memory of the heroic action by Sergeant McCabe of the 31st Foot at that action.

CIVIC HONOURS

A total of 30 Civic Honours are held by the Regiment: The “Privilege of marching through the City of London with “Colours Flying, Drums Beating and Bayonets Fixed” (from 1672) and the Honorary Freedoms of Arundel, Ashford, Barnet, Basingstoke and Deane, Belfast, Brighton, Bournemouth, Canterbury, Chichester, Christchurch, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Eastleigh, Folkestone, Guildford, Hove, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lewes, Maidstone, Portsmouth, Ramsgate, Reigate and Banstead, Romsey, Rushmoor, Southampton, Test Valley, Tonbridge and Malling, Winchester, and Worthing.

ALLIANCES AND AFFILIATIONS

The Regiment has Alliances or Affiliations with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and many other regiments in the British, Commonwealth and Foreign Armies, as well as with numerous ACF and CCF contingents in South East England.  It is also affiliated to the Haberdashers’ Livery Company, thus continuing historic links with the City of London. 

SPORT

The Regiment has great sporting traditions. Battalions pursue numerous major and minor sports with great success and actively support many other activities. The Regimental free fall parachute team (“The Tigers”) are frequently seen at public events.