Worcestershire Regiment

Worcestershire Regiment

The Worcestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot and the 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot.

During 1903 to 1905 the 4th Battalion were stationed in the West Indies, being responsible for guarding prisoners from the Boer War. In 1906-1907 they were stationed in Malta. From 1908-1913 they were stationed at Bareilly, India.

In August 1911 troops from the regiment shot dead 2 men during the Llanelli railway strike.

In the First World War the Regiment saw action in the retreat from Mons, The Battle of the Marne and at Langemark, Aisne and Ypres in 1914. Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Festubert in 1915, and Loos the Somme in 1916. 1917 saw involvement in actions at Bagentin, Delville Wood, Le Transloy, Arras, Ypres Menin Road, Polygon Wood, and Passchendale. The regiment then fought at Cambrai, Lys, Bailleul, Kemmel, Hindenburg Line, St. Quentin Canal and Selle in 1918.

Members of the Regiment won nine Victoria Crosses, 70 Distinguished Service Orders (and 12 bars), 288 Military Crosses ( and 36 bars), 227 Distinguished Conduct Medals (and 8 bars).

In December 1918 they were used to suppress the Taranto Revolt, executing one of the rebels by firing squad.

On 18 November 1944 the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment moved across the Dutch-German border and commenced an attack on German soil to take the village of Tripsrath. With their parent unit 214 Brigade they were the first British troops to fight on German soil. Their job was to take the north-west side of Gelsenkirchen to cover the left flank and support the American forces.

The 2nd Battalion operated in the Burma Campaign 1944-45, and were involved in the recapture of Mandalay.

After service in the First and Second World Wars, it was amalgamated into The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) in 1970.