1st Battalion, The Rifles (1 RIFLES) is a light infantry battalion of The Rifles under the command of 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team.[1][2]
| 1st Battalion, The Rifles | |
|---|---|
  Cap and Back badges of The Rifles | |
| Active | 1 February 2007 – |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team |
| Garrison/HQ | Beachley Barracks, Chepstow |
| Motto(s) | Swift and Bold |
| Colours | Rifle Green |
| March | Quick: Mechanised Infantry Double Past: Keel Row/Road to the Isles Slow: Old Salamanca |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel Commandant | General Sir Nicholas Parker KCB CBE |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
| Arm Badge | Croix de Guerre From Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry |
| Abbreviation | 1 RIFLES |
History
edit
The battalion formed on 1 February 2007 as part of 52 Infantry Brigade, merging the single battalions of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.[3] The battalion then moved in August 2007, to its permanent home of Beachley Barracks at Chepstow.[4]
From 2008 to 2012, it was attached to 3 Commando Brigade as the fourth manoeuvre unit of the brigade alongside the three battalion sized commando units of the Royal Marines.[5]
From March 2020, 1 RIFLES was deployed throughout Wales on Operation Rescript, supporting the UK's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The battalion helped install hospital beds at Dragon's Heart Hospital, a temporary critical care hospital for COVID-19.[6]
Future
editThe battalion is currently based in Dhekelia, British Forces Cyprus until 2025. 1 Rifles will return to Chepstow in the summer of 2025 to take on a new role as a Light Mechanised Battalion driving Foxhound vehicles. Towards the end of the decade, 1 Rifles will move to new build facilities at Caerwent Barracks.[7]
References
edit- ^ "1st Battalion The Rifles". British Army. Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "1st Battalion The Rifles". British Army. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ "History of the Light Infantry". Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "Barracks set to close as part of armed forces cutbacks". Chepstow Beacon. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ "The Resubordination of the 1st Battalion The Rifles to 3 Commando Brigade RM on 1 April 2008" (PDF). Royal Marines Badge & Insignia Reference. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ "Duchess makes first visit to The Rifles in new role". BBC News. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Riflemen bid fond farewell to South East Wales – for now | The British Army".