Formation
On 23 April 1968 the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was formed from the four English fusilier regiments. Each of these regiments were steeped in history and traditions which have been retained by the regiment today.
On formation, the regiment consisted of four regular battalions, one volunteer battalion covering the four regimental areas and the depot. Due to a series of Government Defence Reviews, 'Options for Change' and the recent 'Strategic Defence Review' the regiment now comprises two regular battalions and a number of Territorial Army companies located in the four regimental Areas. The 2nd Battalion is due to be disbanded as part of the Army 2020 defence review.
The Regular battalions are:
- 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
- 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
As one of the existing large infantry regiments, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is unaffected by the reforms of the infantry that were announced in December 2004 although the regiment received a TA battalion, the 5th Battalion RRF, through the redesignation of Tyne-Tees Regiment, on 1 April 2006. The TA battalion will however retain a multi-badged identity, with C (Durham Light Infantry) Company remaining one of the three rifle companies.
As of 1 February 2007, with the formation of The Rifles, the 5th Battalion RRF consists of two Fusilier companies, designated X Company and Z Company, and one Rifles company - D (Rifles) Company which is a redesignation of C (Durham Light Infantry) Company. D (Rifles) Company also now includes Y (Rifles) Platoon which is a redesignation of Minden (Light Infantry) Company from the East and West Riding Regiment. The 'D' and 'Y' designations were chosen to help continue the Rifles' county links to both Durham and Yorkshire.
There is also a RRF Capbadged Company, (C) Company London Regiment (LONDONS) Based In Balham with a Platoon (13) Based in Holyhedge House, Blackheath London
From 2009, the regular battalions will remain in fixed locations. The 1st Battalion will be stationed at Tidworth, with the 2nd Battalion serving in London. The 2nd Bn will rotate this posting with a resident posting to Cyprus with two other light infantry battalions.
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