1st Battalion The Rifles
During the Summer of 2010 a formal affiliation between the Worshipful Company of the World Traders and The Rifles, the Army's biggest and youngest Infantry Regiment was established. The affiliation is run through the 1st Battalion The Rifles.
The Rifles was formed in February 2007 from The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, The Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets. The Rifles is the largest infantry regiment in the Army and recruits nationally, it has five Regular battalions and 2 Territorial battalions as well as a raft of Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force detachments and a healthy Veterans' community populated by ex-members of the current and forming regiments.
The Rifles, whose motto is "Swift and Bold", is characterised by its regimental ethos of a constant pursuit of excellence combined with a no-nonsense, yet relaxed relationship between all ranks, who are all known generically as 'Riflemen'. More visible, and audible, characteristics are: the use of the silver bugle to pass orders, even today in barracks; the Regiment's distinct "Light" drill movements; the spelling of serjeant with a j rather than a g; and their dark rifle-green berets and ceremonial uniforms. Rifle regiments traditionally carried no flags or colours and the same tradition is continued today, with battle honours being displayed on each Rifleman's buckle badge. On parade Riflemen carry their weapons at the trail rather than at the shoulder and march at a rate of 140 paces to the minute, considerably quicker than that of regiments of the line.
The First Battalion (1 Rifles) is based at Beachley Barracks near Chepstow operating as part of 3 Commando Brigade and is over 600 strong. 1 Rifles is unique in that it is not only the sole Army Infantry unit in the Brigade, but also in the Royal Navy, of which the Commando Brigade forms part. The Battalion deployed to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 9 in the winter of 2008/9 and enjoyed a highly successful tour as the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team Battle Group, which involved working, living and fighting alongside the Warriors of the Afghan National Army's 3/205 Brigade. 1 Rifles spent the spring, summer and autumn of 2010 as the Spearhead Land Element Battle Group, the UK's 24 hour standby military contingent; ready to move anywhere in the world. This was immediately followed by pre-deployment training for the battalion's next tour of Afghanistan in April 2011 as a ground-holding battle group on Operation Herrick 14.
When not preparing for operations Riflemen take part in a diverse array of activities and sports, the Battalion are the reigning rugby and shooting champions of the Commando world (much to their chagrin); there is an active (but less successful) cricket XI, as well as football, golf and squash teams. The Battalion, whenever possible, attends the annual Rifles Sailing Regatta and enjoys successful Army level representation at cycling and skiing.
1 Rifles is hugely proud of its association with the Worshipful Company of World Traders. The Battalion is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James de Labillière DSO MBE (the son-in law of a previous Master) and the Regimental Serjeant Major is Warrant Officer 1st Class Adrian Farmer. You can register your support for 1 Rifles and view their progress on tour over summer 2011, or donate to their casualties' charity, by logging on to www.swiftandbold.org
