The
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters RegimentThe
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment
On 28th February 1970, The Sherwood Foresters amalgamated
with the Worcestershire Regiment to form The Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot).
The Regiment is honoured to have HRH The Princess Anne as
its Colonel in Chief. The active part of the Regiment consisted of one Regular
Battalion (1 WFR), two Territorial Army Battalions (3 & 4 WFR) and a small
administrative Regimental Headquarters. The 1st Battalion was formed by
amalgamating the 1st Battalions of the former Regiments, who incidentally served
alongside each other in 24 Infantry Brigade throughout the 1914-18 War. 4 WFR
was disbanded in 1991.
The Regimental Headquarters is located in Worcester. There
are Regimental displays in the civic museums of Worcester, Nottingham, Derby and
Newark.
The Regimental Journal of the new Regiment is called 'Firm
and Forester' thus perpetuating the name of the original Regimental Magazines;
it is published twice a year.
The First Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters
The Regular Battalion has served with distinction on UN
postings in Cyprus and latterly the Former Yugoslavia, as well as active
service in Northern Ireland.
The Battalion has an ongoing reputation for success in Skill
At Arms Competitions.
The Third Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters
The 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, consisting of part time
soldiers from Nottingham and Derbyshire, was a direct successor to the former
139 Forester Brigade; it was based on the 5th/8th Bn The Sherwood Foresters
(TA).
In 1991 a defence review cut the battalion from 6 infantry
companies to 3.
A Defence review was initiated in 1997, attempting to make
the Territorial Army reflect its envisaged role within the Army’s order of
battle. On 1 June 1999, following a parade in April that saw the best
foot drill the Battalion had ever carried out (in the authors opinion), 3 WFR
was disbanded. One company remains as part of The East of England Regiment,
retaining its beret in a sea of Royal Anglian ones.
3rd Battalion Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters marches into history.