The Worcestershire
Regiment was the county Regiment of Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
It was amalgamated in 1970 with The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire
and Derbyshire Regiment) to form The Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters Regiment. The history of the Worcestershires goes back
over 300 years to 1694 when the 29th Regiment of Foot was formed
and in 1701 the 36th Regiment of Foot came into being.
The 29th Regiment of Foot:
EARLY HISTORY
In 1694, Britain was
at war with France and William III, needing more troops ordered
Colonel Thomas Farrington, an officer of the Coldstream guards to
form a new Regiment. This Regiment became known as Farrington's
Regiment of Foot following the custom of the period of naming Regiments
after their Colonel. In 1751 (by which time the Regiment had changed
its name eight times under successive Colonels) the system changed
and all Regiments were given numbers based upon the date of their
formation and the Regiment assumed the the title 29th Foot. The
first few years of the Regiment's history were spent in England
and Ireland, though with the War of the Spanish Succession developing
in Europe it was not long before Farrington's regiment joined the
Duke of Marlborough's force in Holland where it arrived in March
1704. However it was several months before the Regiment became actively
engaged, namely at the lines of Brabant whren Marlborough's force
met that of Marshal Villeroi in an inconclusive action. This was
followed in 1706 by a decisive British Victory at the Battle of
Ramilies in which the Regiment gained the first of its many Battle
Honours.
NORTH AMERICA
During a period of
over sixt years between1746 and 1807, the 29th Regiment of Foot
spent much of its service in North America and two incidents in
which they were involved during this time are particularly worthy
of note:
"The Ever-Sworded
29th" One night in September 1746, the Officers of the
Regiment were at Mess in their Station in North America when they
were treacherously attacked by Red Indians, who were supposed to
be loyal. The attack was beaten off, but to guard against similar
attacks in future the custom of wearing swords in Mess was instituted.
This continued as a regimental custom after the Regiment left America,
but in 1850 the custom was changed so that only the Captain of the
Week and the Orderly Officer of the Day continued to wear their
swords at Mess. This unique custom was maintained by the Worcestershire
Regiment.
"The Boston
Massacre" In 1770
the 29th Foot were stationed in Boston at a time when the discontent
and hatred felt by the American colonists towards the Mother country,
England was extended to the British Troops station in the Colony.
Boston was a particular centre of discord and on several occasions
there had been free fights between the townsfolk and members of
the Regiment. On 5th March, it being their turn for Garrison Duty,
the 29th provided a guard for the customs house, where a certain
amount of cash was kept. A mob of rioters tried to rush the post
and the sentry called out the guard. The guard fixed bayonets and
kept the crowd at bay, taking no more violent action, although being
subjected to a barrage of abuse. However words led to blows and
Captain Preston and Private Montgomery were struck down by one of
the mob leaders. On regaining his feet Montgomery heard someone
shout "Why don't you fire?" and thinking that this was
an order to fire, he did so. Others followed him; three of the rioters
were killed and several wounded, the rest of the mob running away.
In memory of this incident which the Bostonians called the "Boston
Massacre" the Regiment, being the first to shed the blood of
the Colonists, was given the nickname 'The Blood Suckers' or 'The
Vein Openers'. The incident led to the trial of Captain Preston,
Private Montgomery and others of the Guard on murder charges, however,
with the aid of John Adams (later to become the second President
of the United States) as counsel for Captain Preston, they were
totally exonerated by the judge and walked from the court free men.
CHANGE OF TITLE
In 1782 individual
Regiments began to be linked territorially to counties and the 29th
Regiment of Foot was linked to Worcestershire becoming the 29th
(Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY
WAR
In a decree of the
French Convention of 1792, the Republic declared its intention to
extend assistance to all dissident subjects of monarchist governments.
This led eventually to War with Britain and her European allies
resolving to contain the French ports and to attack her shipping.
The most important French convoys came from the West Indies and
these were protected by the French Navy. On 2nd May 1794 news of
an important French convoy was received and the Channel Fleet under
Lord Howe put to sea. Aboard several of the men-of-war were detachments
of the 29th Foot which, like a number of other regiments provided
drafts to make up for a shorfall of Marines. On the 1st of June
the British Fleet came into action against the French. The four
hundred-plus of the Regiment were distributed among several ships:
Brunswick, Ramillies, Glory, Thunderer and Alfred. Brunswick
with 81 men from the 29th on board was played into battle by
the ship's band and a drummer from the 29th, with a popular tune
of the day, "Heart of Oak". Brunswick met
and came to close grips with Le Vengeur a French ship
of equal size and armament and for over two hours they fought. During
the fierce fighting, the 29th Detachment Comander, a Captain, was
killed and the Ensign and 20 others were wounded. At one stage of
the Battle, Achille came to the aid of Le Vengeur
but was quickly disabled by a broadside from Brunswick.
At last Brunswick and Le Vengeur
drifted apart and the French ship, which was sinking, surrendered.
The Battle was fought so far out into the Atlantic that it is known
by its date - The Glorious First of June.
For its share in the engagement, the Regiment was awarded the Naval
Crown to be borne with its Battle Honours.
PENINSULAR WAR
This important campaign,
one of the most glorious in the annals of the British Army, was
fought in support of the Portuguese and Spanish Allies whose territories
had been violated. The 29th Foot was part of Sir Arthur Wellesley's
(later to be created Duke of Wellington) Army - as was the 36th
Foot, the first time that the two Regiments which were to become
the Worcestershire Regiment were on active service together. The
29th embarked at Cadiz on July 1808 and claimed to be the first
British unit to land in the Pennisula. It was commanded by the extrovert
Lieutenant Colonel The Hon G A F Lake as they advanced towards Rolica.
He rode into battle impeccably dressed as if, an observer noted,
'He was about to be received by the King'. Sadly though, it was
to be the last time he was to lead his Regiment for he was shot
by an enemy skirmisher. He was buried on the battlefield at a spot
marked by a monument surmounted by a cross which is maintained by
the Portuguese to this day. The musket ball which killed him and
the gold medal which was awarded to him posthumously are on display
in the Regimental Museum. The 29th
saw fierce fighting during the day suffering 151 casualties, the
highest figure in Wellesley's army. Four days later the Regiment
fought at Vimeiro where the casualties were much lighter, only 14.
At Talavera the 29th
again distinguished itself. The dominant feature was a hill about
a mile distant from Talavera upon which Wellesley's left rested
and as the Regiment was moving up to occupy it the French attacked.
It was growing dark and in the half light they secured a foothold
on the high ground. However the 29th rallied and charged up the
slope at the double with bayonets fixed, cheering as they closed
with the enemy and firing volleys at the same time, forcing the
French to give way. During this battle the 29th captured two enemy
colours although the Eagles which had been on top of them had been
unscrewed and removed prior to their being taken, otherwise the
honour of taking the first French Eagle would have fallen to them.
They suffered 189 casualties in the days fighting. It was after
this action that Wellesley wrote to the Viscount Castlereagh, the
Secretary of State "My Lord...I wish very much that some measure
could be adopted to get some recruits for the 29th Regiment. It
is the best Regiment in this Army, has an admirable internal system
and excellent non-commissioned officers...."
In 1811, at Albuhera,
the Regiment was again to prove its mettle. As the Battle progreessed,
casualties were heavy and in the centre stood the Colours, steadfastly
carried by two Ensigns, Vance and Furnace. Both were boys of about
eighteen and taking part in their first battle. As the ranks thinned,
those that were left rallied on the Colours; which unfortunately
formed a good aiming mark for the enemy. Two Colour Sergeants had
been killed; Ensign Furnace was wounded. The remaining Colour Sergeant
propped up his officer, who once more raised aloft the Colour. By
now the Regiment had shrunk to a few small groups and the Colour
Party itself was isolated. Ensign Vance fell, mortally hit and the
last Colour Sergeant was killed. No help was in sight and in an
effort to save the Regimental Colour from the French, young Vance
ripped it from its pike and hid it, partly in his tunic and partly
underneath his body. Ensign Furnace was dead and the King's Colour
was his pall. Fresh troops came up; the French were repulsed and
that night a search party found the Colours and their guardians.
They were dead, but the Colours were saved.
On October 3rd 1811
the Duke of York issued orders for the 29th to return to England
to recover and on November 2nd the Regiment embarked, under the
command of Major Tucker, on HMS Agincourt, arriving at Portsmouth
on December 1st.
WATERLOO
The 29th was ordered
to the Netherlands in April 1815 in order to take part in the Waterloo
campaign. The Regiment landed at Ostend on June 13th but in spite
of being rushed up by boat along the canal to Ghent, which was reached
on June 15th, the Regiment arrived too late to take part in the
battle itself.
SIKH WARS AND INDIAN
MUTINY
The 29th played a distinguished
part in the Wars against the Sikhs in the Sutlej and the Punjab
between 1845 - 1850 gaining four Battle Honours; Sobraon, Ferozeshah,
Chillianwallah and Goojerat as well as the Honour Punjaub. The Battle
of Goojerat was the last occasion upon which the Colours of the
Regiment were carried into action.
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The 36th Regiment of Foot:
EARLY HISTORY
At the outbreak of
the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701 King William III ordered
Viscount Charlemont to form a new Regiment in Ireland. The following
year Charlemont's Regiment was picked to become one of six infantry
regiments designated for Sea Service, which meant that it could
be called upon to act in a Marine role should the occassion warrant
it. This order came into effect and the Regiment under their Colonel,
Lord Charlemeont, left for Spain on board His Majesty's Ships Grey,
Ruth and Friendship. However this was to a short lived affair
and it was to be a further three years before the Regiment again
returned to Spain, this time under the leadership of the enigmatic
Earl of Peterborough. During the capture of the Fortress of Montjuich,
which in turn led to the successful conclusion to the siege of Barcelona,
the Regiment fought admirably and Lord Charlemont was subsequently
presented to the King of Spain who thanked him warmly for his part
in the success. However at a later stage in the campaign, disaster
struck the Regiment when at the Battle of Almanza Peterborough's
erratic leadership led to Charlemont's Regiment being virtually
annihilated.
CULLODEN
In 1746 the 36th Regiment
played a small part in the Battle of Culloden before embarking upon
a campaign in Flanders.
FLANDERS
The Regiment acquitted
itself well in an expedition that was generally unsuccessful. It
is possible that the origin of the Regimental Motto 'FIRM' may stem
from this campaign, for it is thought that the 36th, by dint of
their steadfast performance during the rearguard action at Lauffeld,
may have had this motto conferred upon them by Field Marshal Lord
Stair whose own family motto it was.
CHANGE OF TITLE
In 1782 individual
Regiments began to be linked territorially to counties and the 36th
Regiment of Foot was linked to Herefordshire becoming the 36th (Herefordshire)
Regiment of Foot.
INDIA
Between 1783 and 1793
the Regiment served in India as part of the force that was sent
to oppose the ambitious Tippoo Singh. However, due to the vast forces
confronting them this proved to be no easy affair. Nevertheless,
after major successes at Nundydoorg and Pondicherry, Tippoo Sing
was eventually brought to heel and later king William IV authorised
the 36th to bear the word "Hindoostan" on its Colours.
PENINSULAR WAR
In 1808 the 36th landed
in Portugal with the expeditionary force under Sir Arthur Wellesley
and took part in the Battles of Rolica and Vimiera. The Regiment's
gallantry at Vimiera was particularly noticed by Lieutenant General
Sir Arthur Wellesley, who wrote in a letter Castlereagh, that "the
Thirty Sixth Regiment is an example to the Army". After participating
in the retreat to Corrunna, under Sir John Moore in 1808/1809, the
Regiment returned to England. However, in 1811 the Regiment returned
to the Peninsula and there remained under The Duke of Wellington's
command until the fall of Toulouse in 1814, amassing ten Battle
Honours during the course of the campaign.
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THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
1881 - 1914
The Cardwell reforms
of 1881 brought together the 29th and 36th Regiments of Foot with
the Militia of Worcestershire plus the Volunteer Regiments. The
Regiment now consisted of: 1st Battalion (29th), 2nd Battalion (36th)
The Worcestershire Regiment; 3rd (Militia) Battalion (late 1st Battalion
Worcestershire Militia) and 4th (Militia) Battalion (late 2nd Battalion
Worcestershire Militia) The Worcestershire Regiment and the volunteer
Battalions became known as the 1st and 2nd (Volunteer) Battalions
The Worcestershire Regiment.
BOER WAR
The outbreak of the
Boer War found both regular battalions being sent to South Africa
in early 1900 where they soon found themselves embroiled with the
enemy. Of the two, the 2nd Battalion undoubtedly saw more of the
formal engagements and at Slingersfontein acquitted temselves well
in a battle in which they suffered quite heavy casualties, including
the CO who was killed.
WORLD WAR 1 1914
- 1918
When the War broke
out there were four Regular Battalions, two Militia and two Territorial
Battalions forming the Regiment and from these eight Battalions
the Regiment expanded to 22. Throughout its bloody course, the War
claimed lives of over 9,000 of the 13,000 officers and men who filled
its ranks.
Most of the actions
in which the majority of the battalions took part were across the
muddy, pock-marked battlefields of France and Flanders. However,
some battalions were also engaged in the fighting in the Dardanelles,
Salonika, Mesopotamia, Russia and Italy. In all, nine Victoria Crosses
were awarded to members of the Regiment. They are:
Lieutenant E P Bennett
VC MC
During the 1916 Battle
of the Somme, the 2nd Battalion, whilst attacking a strong German
position, lost nearly all its Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned
Officers. Lieutenant Bennett realising that they would be wiped
out if they did not start again, rushed forward despite being wounded,
to the front of the Battalion which followed him in a successful
attack on the enemy trenches; for this he was awarded the Victoria
Cross.
Private F G Dancox
VC
During the Battle of
Ypres in 1917, Private Dancox, a native of Worcester, by himself
took on an enemy blockhouse which was stopping the advance of the
4th Battalion with its withering fire. He did so by working his
way from shell hole to shell hole to the rear of the German machine
gunners, who surrendered under the threat of his grenade. Dancox
was killed shortly afterwards but was awarded the Victoria Cross
for this action.
Captain J J Crowe
VC
During the Lys Battle
of 1918, part of the 2nd Battalion became surrounded in the town
of Neuve Eglise and all attempts to get word for reinforcements
had failed. Captain Crowe, the Adjutant, with ten men made a further
sortie and captured two enemy machine gun posts before re-establishing
communications and covering the successful withdrawal of this outpost.
for his actions on this day, Captain Crowe was awarded the Victoria
Cross.
Colonel G W St G
Grogan VC CMG DSO
Colonel Grogan, while
commanding a hastily assembled group from various regiments during
the Battle of the Aisne in 1918 found his force under extreme pressure
and slowly being pushed back. Realising that he would receive no
reinforcements for another day he rode his horse up and down the
line in full view of the enemy, thereby inspiring his troops to
hang on until help arrived. Colonel Grogan was awarded the Victoria
Cross for this inspiring leadership and bravery. (He was subsequently
promoted Brigadier General and later became the Colonel of The Worcestershire
Regiment).
Lieutenant H James
VC
During the Gallipoli
Campaign in 1915, Lieutenant James of the 4th Battalion, led a raiding
party of 30 men on the Turkish trenches. The Turks were forced back
to their main lines, where in the subsequent fight he lost all but
Lance Corporal Reece who was sent for help. Lieutenant James then
worked his way backwards along a trench, keeping the Turks at bay
with grenades until finally making a stand where a wounded soldier
lay until reinforcements arrived. for this action and earlier bravery
in another incident Lieutenant James was awarded the Victoria Cross;
the first member of the Regiment to be so honoured.
Lieutenant W Leefe
Robinson VC
Few incidents in the
1914 - 1918 War created a greater sensation thanthe destruction
of German Zeppelin L21 by Lieutenant Leefe Robinson of The Worcestershire
Regiment, attached to The Royal Flying Corps. for months the Zeppelins
had been raiding London and other cities with impunity, then on
the night of 2nd/3rd September 1916, Lieutenant Leefe Robinson dispelled
the myth of their invincibility by attacking with his aircraft's
gun and sending the L21 crashing to the ground in a ball of flame;
for this he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Lieutenant E K Myles
VC
In Mesopotamia in 1916,
the 9th Battalion was fiercely counter-attacked by the Turks during
the Second Battle of Sannaiyat. With their ammunition almost spent,
they were forced to fall back and dig themselves rough fox holes.
Many of the wounded were in terrible distress and Lieutenant Myles,
with utter fearlessness dashed out again and again to bring them
in, despite the intense fire and the fact that he himself had been
hit; for this he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Major F C Roberts
VC DSO MC
On 23rd March 1918,
the 1st Battalion, temporarily commanded by Major Roberts were holding
a very extended river line at Pargny on the Somme. during the night
Major Roberts found that the Germans had crossed the river and taken
the village and also that the Battalion on the right had withdrawn
- the Brigade was in dager of being surrounded. Immediately he gathered
45 men from the Battalion Headquarters and led this ad hoc group
in a spirited counter-attack which forced the enemy back across
the river. For this and other conspicious service while in command,
Major Roberts was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Private T G Turrall
VC
On 3rd July 1916 at
La Boiselle in France, a patrol from the 10th Battalion suffered
heavy losses from a German machine gun. The only survivors were
the patrol commander, Lieutenant Jennings who was badlty wounded
and Private Turrall. After applying first aid, Private Turrall carried
Lieutenant Jennings back to the Battalion Lines, at one stage feigning
death as a German patrol prodded him with their bayonets. Lieutenant
Jennings died two hours after reaching safety, but not before he
had time to dictate an account of Turrall's actions; as a result
Private Turrall was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Six of these VC's are
on display in the Museum. In addition the Regiment won 82 Distinguished
Service Orders, 327 Military Crosses, 238 Distinguished Conduct
Medals and over 800 Military Medalds.
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GHELUVELT
31st October 1914.
The Germans invaded France and at the first shock came near to defeating
the combined French and British Armies. Their objective was the
Channel Ports, from which an attack on England could have been launched.
The British Army stood to fight at Ypres.
After 10 days hard
fighting, the 2nd Battalion, 500 strong was the only reserve for
the Gheluvelt sector. The Battalion was then resting in Polygon
Wood. The line at Gheluvelt, attacked by overwhelming numbers, gave
way and the enemy took the Chateau and village. The situation was
very serious and preparations for a general retirement were made;
unless the gap was closed, the Army would be lost, so more or less
as a forlorn hope the Battalion was ordered to counter-attack. 'A'
Company advanced to a railway embankment overlooking the village
to prevent the enemy advancing up the Menin road. Meanwhile with
lightened kit and extra ammunition the rest of the Battalion made
ready for the attack. The village was hidden by a ridge and their
aiming mark was the Chateau. as they advance, signs of retreat were
everywhere; they alone went forward. The crest of the ridge was
covered by the enemy guns and could be crossed only by a quick rush.
Though over a hundred fell to the storm of shelling which met their
advance, the rest dashed down the slope, forced their way through
the hedges and fences and into the Chateau grounds, where they closed
weith the Germans. Surprised by the impetuous speed of the attack,
the enemy though far superior in numbers, gave way and the attackers
linked up with the remnants of the South Wales Borderers, who were
still holding out.
As a result of the
capture of Ghelevult against terrific odds and the consequent closing
of the gap in the British Line, Ypres was held and the Channel Ports
were saved. In his despatch describing this action the Commander
in Chief, Sir John French said "The rally of the 1st division
and the capture of the village of Gheluvelt at such a time was fraught
with momentous consequences. If any one Unit can be singled out
for special praise, it is the Worcestershires".
NEUVE CHAPELLE
12th March 1915. In
March 1915 the British Army attacked the Germans at Neuve Chapelle.
After two days of fighting, although the village had been captured
the attack was still a partial failure; for the Germans had repaired
the gap in their line and were preparing to re-take the village
by counter-attack. Two Bavarian Battalions advanced against the
front held by the 1st Battalion, who held their fire. When the enemy
was within 70 yards the whole Battalion fired their 'mad minute'
(at the rapid rate of fire of 20 rounds per rifleman per minute)
and the Germans fell in large numbers. 'A' Company cleared the enemy
from the abandoned trenches on the right, while the rest of the
Battalion drove them back into their own lines and took part of
the enemy trenches. Unfortunately this advance was unsupported and
the Battalion was isolated and nearly surrounded. Although several
attacks were beaten off, they were forced to withdraw across the
open ground and met with heavy loss. On the following morning the
Battalion was withdrawn into reserve, however, the situation had
been saved by the defeat of the counter-attack and the ground previously
won was held.
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BETWEEN THE WARS
1919 - 1939
As peace returned to
the World, one after another the fighting Battalions of the Regiment
were disbanded or reduced to Cadre and the soldiers who had gained
the final victory came back in small parties to England. However,
at the same time the political situation in Ireland was deteriorating
and both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were sent to Dublin in 1919
to help control the outbreak of violence. The temporary ending of
the Irish troublesl in 1921 provided the opportunity of reducing
the country's military forces and orders were received for all Regiments
with four Regular Battalions to disband their 3rd and 4th Battalions.
This was a decision which was greeted with great sorrow in the Regiment
for along with the Royal Fusiliers, The Middlesex, the 60th Rifles
and Rifle Brigade were the only Regiments in the Army to have four
Regular Battalions. Between the Wars the 1st Battalion, apart from
a period of active operations during the troubles in Palestine,
divided its time between India, China and England in a relaxed peacetime
way; with, in India, the usual diversions of polo and game shooting
for the officers and from 1930 the 2nd Battalion enjoyed spells
of duty in Malta, China and India.
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WORLD WAR 2 1939
- 1945
When the War was imminent
the 1st Battalion was in Palestine and its war service was, therefore,
destined initially to be in the middle East. Likewise the 2nd Battalion,
who were in India in 1939 were destined to remain there until called
to take part in the Burma Campaign. It was in fact the two Territorial
Battalions, the 7th and 8th who first saw active service. both went
to France in 1940 and both were in the Dunkirk tragedy.
SUDAN
The first Regular Battalion
to join battle with the enemy was the 1st Battalion. They moved
from Palestine, via Egypt to the Sudan and following the entry of
Italy into the War, formed part of the British force which attacked
the Italian Colony of Eritrea in 1941. The first Italian resistance
came at El Gocni from which, after stiff fighting the enemy was
ejected. Barentu was likewise successful and essentially a company
battle in which 'A' Company played a prominent part. Ahead lay the
fortress of Keren whose steep rocky approaches added to the stiff
Italian resistance, however, this was also captured although the
battalion suffered heavy losses.
TOBRUK
At the end of August
1941 the 1st Battalion moved to the Western Desert, where in the
summer of 1942 they took part in the Gazala Battle and in the defence
of Tobruk. The Gazala line stretched from Gazala on the coast some
fifty miles south to Bir Hachim. It consisted of a series of isolated
infantry localities, wired and mined, which were called "Boxes"
and between which were large gaps that could neither be held by
artillery fire nor plugged by tanks. One such locality was Point
187 near Acroma, midway between Gazala and Tobruk, where the Battalion
stood to meet the German onslaught. By 13th June 1942 the Germans
had penetrated the surrounding defences and the Battalion Box became
isolated. Enemy tanks attacked relentlessly and although some twenty
of them were knocked out, all of the Battalions anti-tank guns had
become casualties. Throughout the day the Battalion stayed true
to its Motto of "FIRM" and as evening fell and with the
desert a blazing inferno, orders were received for the Box to be
evacuated.
At Tobruk the German
attack, which was launched on 20th June 1942 was heralded by a fierce
air bombardment after which came well co-ordinated artillery fire
from both the Germans and Italians. This in turn led to a massive
Panzer attack against which resistance was virtually impossible.
Any attempt to break out to the coast was forestalled by the enemy
who were too thick on the ground. A general surrender was ordered
- unlike at Corunna and Dunkirk where the soldiers of the Regiment
had withdrawn to safety; at Tobruk few escaped being made Prisoners
of War.
NORMANDY TO THE ELBE
On 1st January 1943
the 1st Battalion was reformed by disbanding the 11th Battalion,
a Service Battalion formed in May 1940 and drafting its personnel
to the 1st Battalion. Soon after D Day in 1944 the Battalion arrived
in France and their first action, which resulted in the capture
of Mouen, was described by the Divisional Commander as "one
of the slickest attacks of the war". After the break out came
the spectacular drive to the Seine - over one hundred miles in three
and a half days. This was followed by some intense fighting in which
every man in the Battalion - drivers, clerks, orderlies and signallers
fought like demons. The fierce fighting gave cover to the armoured
drive to Belgium and Holland. After a spell of comparative quiet
the Battalion once more went into battle, to try and relieve the
gallant men of Arnhem. The battle to keep the corridor open was
some of the fiercest the Battalion had experienced and in the fighting
round the Nederijn three of its Company Commanders were killed.
From then on it was only a matter of time before victory in Europe
was assured and when it came the Battalion had reached an area North
of Luneberg, thus ending the advance from Normandy to the Elbe.
BURMA
Two Battalions of the
Regiment fought in South East Asia Command, the 2nd and the 7th.
Throughout it was a tale of fight and advance - never once was either
Battalion forced back. One action among many is memorable; it was
at Merema, near Kohima when the 7th Battalion evicted in 36 hours
a Japanese force that had been ordered to hold on for ten days.
In the last two months of 1944 the two Worcestershire Battalions
advanced on the enemy, taking different directions. Leaving behind
350 miles of soil and dust once trodden by the Japanese the 7th
Battalion reached and crossed the Chindwin at Kalewa. Plumes of
dust marked their progress across the sandy plain of Central Burma
as they moved towards Shwebo. Once there, the grateful inhabitants
presented the Battalion with a lacquered bowl, now to be seen in
the Regimental Museum. Meanwhile the 2nd Battalion had completed
one of the greatest of the Burma Campaign's forced marches, covering
400 miles in six weeks; arriving at Shwebo just after the 7th Battalion,
who were there waiting for them with a meal laid out in the open
on tables covered with parachutes as table cloths. There then remained
the Battle for Mandalay; the 7th Battalion moved towards the city
from the South West but it was to be the 2nd Battalion that fought
the battle and who carried out the follow up.
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THE POST WAR YEARS
1945 - 1970
Since the Second World
War the changing role of the Army resulted in drastic reductions;
the first major change to be felt in the Regiment being the disbandment
in 1947 of the 2nd Battalion. Then in 1967 with the reduction in
Territorial forces the 7th Battalion was reduced to one company,
which became part of the Mercian Volunteers.
During the Post War
years the Regiment continued in its usual down to earth way. Not
least during the Malayan Emergency in the early 1950s, when it established
a fine reputation through its operational successes. A campaign
in which the George Cross was awarded to Awang Anak Rawang, a tracker
attached to the 1st Battalion.
On 28th February 1970
at Battlesbury Barracks Warminster in Wiltshire the 1st Battalion
The Worcestershire Regiment amalgamated with 1st Battalion The Sherwood
Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) to form 1st
Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th
Foot)
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On 16 December
2004 the Secretary of State for Defence announced, under the Future
Army Structure, that the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment
(29/45 Foot) would become the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment
(Worcesters and Foresters) along with the 1st Battalion (Cheshires)
and the 3rd Battalion (Staffords).
History repeats
itself, but we look forward to writing a new chapter in the Regimental
History of the soldiers of Worcestershire.
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