Royal Garrison Regiment

The Royal Garrison Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in February 1900 and disbanded in 1908.

The regiment was originally formed as the "Royal Reserve Battalions", independent battalions composed of reserve infantry called up in the United Kingdom on the outbreak of the Second Boer War. After training and organising these units, they were sent to relieve regular infantry battalions in overseas garrisons; this would allow the regular battalions to be sent on active service in South Africa.

In 1901, the four battalions raised were regimented as the Royal Garrison Regiment. The 1st, 3rd and 4th battalions were sent to Malta, whilst the 2nd was sent to Gibraltar. In 1904, all four were moved to South Africa for garrison duty there as the regular units returned to normal duties. A fifth battalion was raised in 1902, for service in Canada; it garrisoned Halifax, Nova Scotia from October 1902 until 1905, when it handed over its role to the Canadian Permanent Force. It was the last British garrison to be based in Canada proper.

All five battalions were disbanded in 1906-7, and the regiment was disbanded in August 1908.

References

* [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/900garri.htm The Royal Garrison Regiment] , regiments.org