Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
And it's all Change at the Wardrobe!
On Thursday 1st February, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry merged with The Devonshire and Dorsetshire Light Infantry to become the 1st Battalion The Rifles.Our picture shows (from left to right) Lt.Col.John Venus (Regimental Assistant Secretary), Alistair Riggs (Museum Attendant), and Jackie Dryden (Acting Curator) witnessing the new raising of the new flag for The Rifles at the Wardrobe.
The 1st Battalion The Rifles, is now part of the British Army's largest Infantry Regiment with five Regular and two Territorial Battalions. Although the 1st Battalion RGBW had a short, busy and outstanding record, we at this museum are commited to preserving the story of the former Royal Berkshire Regiment, Wiltshire Regiment and Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment, with a history dating back over 250 years, to 1743. It also records the short history of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.
Her Majesty the Queen has graciously appointed Field Marshal His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GBE OM AC QSO as Colonel in Chief, The Rifles.
For more information on The Rifles visit the website ~ www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regts/the_rifles