- Devonshire and Dorset Regiment
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Devonshire and Dorset Regiment
Devonshire and Dorset Regiment Cap BadgeActive 1958–2007 Country United Kingdom Branch British Army Type Line Infantry Role Infantry Size Two battalion Part of Prince of Wales' Division Motto Semper Fidelis Latin: "Always Faithful"
March Quick - Widdecombe Fair/We've Lived and Loved Together/The Maid of Glenconnel Insignia Tactical Recognition Flash Arm Badge Croix de Guerre
From Devonshire RegimentThe Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, usually just known as the Devon and Dorsets, was an infantry regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1958 by the amalgamation of two county regiments:
- The Devonshire Regiment
- The Dorset Regiment
Between 2000 and 2002, the 1st Battalion, Devonshire and Dorset Regiment served as a public duties battalion in London, which included providing the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace.
In the 2004 re-organisation of the infantry, it was announced that the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment would cease to exist; it would be amalgamated with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment to form a new battalion of The Light Infantry. As part of the preparation for this, the regiment moved from the Prince of Wales' Division to the Light Division, and was renamed the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, on 22 July 2005.
On 24 November 2005, the Ministry of Defence announced further changes to the amalgamations. The regiment would still merge with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment resulting in a single battalion; however they were now to join a new large regiment created by the amalgamation of The Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets. This new regiment was to be called The Rifles and was to be formed in February 2007. The battalion that resulted from the merger of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment was designated 1st Battalion, The Rifles. On becoming part of a rifle regiment, the Devon and Dorsets no longer carried their colours; these were laid up in Exeter Cathedral on 27 January 2007.
Alliances
Canada - Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
Australia - The Royal New South Wales Regiment
Malaysia - 6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment
South Africa - 5 South African Infantry Battalion (Bond of Friendship)
Royal Navy - HMS Exeter
France - 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie (Bond of Friendship)
External links
Categories:- Infantry regiments of the British Army
- Military units and formations established in 1958
- British light infantry
- Military units and formations disestablished in 2007
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