Surely the story of The Fusilier is one of courage honor and tradition. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was formed on April 23 1968. It was part of the British Army reforms. These reforms created large infantry regiments. This formation was achieved by merging four English Fusilier regiments.
These regiments were the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers the Royal Fusiliers and the Lancashire Fusiliers. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has two battalions today. The 1st Battalion is part of the Regular Army. It is an armored infantry battalion in Tidworth Wiltshire. The 5th Battalion is part of the Army Reserve. It recruits in the traditional fusilier areas across England.
Interestingly the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was largely unaffected. It was unaffected by the infantry reforms announced in December 2004. Under the Army 2020 reduction the 2nd Battalion was merged into the first in 2014. The 3rd Battalion saw active service in Iraq during the Gulf War in 1991. All battalions also deployed to Northern Ireland multiple times. They served on Operation Banner.
Notably in 2003 the 1st Fusiliers battlegroup led the coalition invasion of Iraq. They occupied Basra. Over the next decade the regiment completed many operational tours of Iraq. In 2006 elements of the 2nd Battalion deployed to Afghanistan. They supported the International Security Assistance Force. They defended Now Zad in Helmand Province against the Taliban. This siege lasted 107 days. It was the longest siege of British troops since World War II. Elements of the regiment deployed to Afghanistan several times. They experienced heavy fighting. The 1st Battalion deployed to Nahri Saraj District in Helmand in 2013. They participated in mounted and dismounted infantry operations.
Worth mentioning is the 5th Battalion a reserve battalion. It was formed by redesignating the Tyne-Tees Regiment on April 1 2006. In September 2014 the 2nd Battalion was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion. This created one regular armored infantry battalion under 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers expanded during the Cold War. It grew from three to six battalions.
The 1st Battalion is equipped with the Warrior IFV. It is part of the army’s 3rd Division. It is held at high readiness as the army’s armored war-fighting reserve. In 2016 the battalion was the army’s Lead Armoured Battlegroup. It was ready to deploy globally at short notice. The battalion has experience from deployments to Bosnia Northern Ireland Iraq and Afghanistan. Many soldiers from the 2nd Battalion joined the 1st Battalion. This increased the operational experience. The 1st Battalion has also deployed on exercises to Brunei Kenya the Baltic States and Canada.
The 1st Battalion supports civil powers in the UK. In 2013 elements of the battalion deployed to Wraysbury. They supported flood relief efforts. The 5th Battalion is a Reserve battalion with headquarters in northeast England. It specializes in armored infantry operations within the 3rd Division. It has deployed worldwide on operations and exercises. It supports the 1st Battalion.
The Fusiliers wear a red-over-white hackle. This is from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. The 5th Regiment of Foot took a white plume from fallen French troops at St. Lucia in 1778. In 1829 King George IV ordered all infantry regiments to wear a white plume. The 5th Regiment’s plume was made half red and half white. The red was on top. This marked their honor.
The combined Victoria Crosses of the Fusiliers and its ancestor regiments total fifty five. The first and last Victoria Crosses of World War I are notable. They were won by Lt Dease and Pte Godley at Mons in 1914. Sgt Pearse won one in North Russia in 1919. “Six VCs Before Breakfast” were won at Gallipoli on April 25 1915.
The regiment’s traditional mascot is an Indian Blackbuck Antelope called Bobby. It was inherited from the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers. Blackbuck Antelopes are now protected. The Regiment uses an Otterhound called George. George holds the rank of Fusilier. He attends major parades.
To mark certain Regimental Days the Fusiliers wear roses. They adorn the Battalion Colours with garlands. This tradition comes from the Battle of Minden. Soldiers marched through rose fields at dawn. They went into action with roses in their headdress. On St Georges Day they wear red and white roses. On Minden Day they wear red and yellow roses. New Fusilier Officers must eat a rose. They do this at their first Minden Dinner.
The Band and Corps of Drums is a volunteer regimental band. It is sported by the 5th Battalion. Officially known as the Band and Corps of Drums it consists of 30 servicemen. They march in full dress uniform. They perform by permission of the Commanding Officer of Fifth Fusiliers. The corps of drums lead parades. They also perform their black light show. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has a glorious and long-standing history.