THE FORMATION PARADE

27th APRIL 1994

Before the new Regiment fell out to commence their duties the Commanding officer addressed them as follows :-

'This short ceremony today is the final step in the amalgamation of the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire). It marks the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another in our Regimental History. Of course, we all regret the passing of our two former gallant Infantry Regiments of the line, with  their long and distinguished records of service to crown and country. The 300 years of past service rendered by our forbears will always be the bedrock of our new Regiment. No-One can strike it from the record.

Today, Wednesday 27th April 1994, we begin a new chapter with the formation of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, a Regiment formed with soldiers from the counties at the very heart of England. This formation will be completed in a few minutes, when the 1st Battalion march through the gates of Alma Barracks, followed by the striking of ships time and the unfurling of the Regimental flag for the first time.

From that moment we go forward to take our place as a mechanized (Wheeled) Battalion in the 19th Mechanized Brigade. I am very confident that we are ready to face the challenges and grasp the opportunities that the future holds for us, as our forbears did at the battles of Alexandria (1801) Salamanca (1812) Ferozeshah (1845) Tofrek (1885) The Somme (1916) Kohima (1944) Imjin (1951) to name but a few of the 89 Battle Honours to be bourne on our new colours. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, let us now with pride, enthusiasm and confidence, march into our barracks to do our duty to Queen and Country.'

And with that the Battalion went about its duties, with its first major parade to take place at Windsor on the 8th June for the formal presentation of colours.

The Presentation of Colours at Windsor Castle 

8th June 1994

The two colour parties of the old Regiments then left the parade, which now formed a hollow square. The drums were piled and the new colours, carried by 2Lts THOMAS and VINE, were uncovered and laid upon them. They were then consecrated in a service conducted by the Chaplain General, the Rev James HARKNESS, attended by Monsignor S.W. LOUDEN, principle Army Roman Catholic Chaplin, and the Rev Sam DAVIES, formerly Hon Regimental Chaplin of the Glosters, and himself a survivor of of the Imjin.

The Colonel in Chief then presented the colours to the Battalion after which he addressed the parade as follows. 

Colonel in Chiefs address to the Regiment

Disappointing it may be, but it has all happened before. In 1782, the 28th Regiment of foot became the North Gloucestershires , the 49th became the Herefordshire's, the 61st became the South Gloucestershires, the 62sd became the Wiltshire's and the 66th became the Berkshires. In 1881 a further reorganization took place and, for reasons which only the Ministry of Defence might have understood, the 99th, originally the Lanarkshire Regiment (The Duke of Edinburgh's) joined the Wiltshire's to become the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment.

When options for change identified the need for further contraction, however painful it may be, the decision to put the Gloster's together with the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment has meant that the neighbouring counties of Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire now share a Regiment whose components have fought together in all the major campaigns of the British Army over the past 250 years.

The 28th gained their first Battle Honour at Ramillies, but after that the parent Regiments were together in North America, in the Peninsular, in China, India, the Crimea, Afghanistan, Egypt, South Africa and the first World War. In the Second World War, they were together in France, Sicily, Italy, Burma and in several other campaigns from Madagascar to Syria. No statistics can do full justice to their service, but it is worth mentioning that this new Regiment has 16 V.C.s and 311 Battle Honours to its credit.

It can also claim the unique distinction of commemorating an engagement in the American War of Independence, at Brandywine creek, with the red patch in its cap badge, as well as being allowed to inherit, from the Gloster's, the United States Presidential Citation awarded for their heroic action at the Imjin river in Korea.

I am delighted to welcome Gen Gordon R SULLIVAN, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and to tell him how much his presence here today is appreciated. I know that every  member of the Regiment is deeply touched and honoured by the decision to pass on this very special mark of distinction from the Gloster's to the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment on this occasion.

The Regiment came together at Catterick just six weeks ago, but it is the presentation of these colours that marks the formal beginning. I am very pleased to have been able to present these new colours on behalf of her Majesty the Queen, in the presence of the Duke of Gloucester , the Deputy Colonel-in-chief, and in front of so many members of the Regimental Families.

I have not the slightest doubt that they will be honoured and respected and that they will always remind all present and future members of the Regiment of the quite exceptional service, loyalty and gallantry of their predecessors. 

GOD BLESS THE QUEEN

PARADE MEMORIES

Drum Major TUBB laying the new colours on the drums ready for consecration

The Regimental Colour pictured on the right, carried by 2nd Lt VINE, features the Solmar-Ri streamer.

The band and Drums lead the parade past Windsor Castle for the first and last time

The Solmar-Ri streamer, a unique U.S. Presidential honour for a British Infantry Unit is tied to the Regimental Colour by General Gordon SULLIVAN, chief of Staff, United States Army

Lt Col P E O'R-B Davidson-Houston

No 1 Guard

No 2 Guard

The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment Colour Party