7th Battalion, The Rifles explained

Unit Name:7th Battalion, The Rifles (formerly the Royal Rifle Volunteers)
Dates:1999–Present
Country: United Kingdom
Type:Armoured Infantry
Size:Battalion
Command Structure:20th Armoured Infantry Brigade
Garrison:Iverna Gardens drill hall, Kensington
Garrison Label:Battalion HQ
Nickname:7 RIFLES
Equipment:Warrior IFV
Battles:KFOR
SFOR
Operation Palliser
Operation Telic
Operation Banner
Operation Herrick
Operation Tosca
Website:7 RIFLES
Identification Symbol Label:Royal Rifle Volunteers TRF
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Rifles TRF
Identification Symbol 3:
Croix de Guerre
From Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry
Identification Symbol 3 Label:Rifles Arm Badge
Colours:Rifle Green

The 7th Battalion, The Rifles (7 RIFLES) is an Army Reserve battalion of the British Army originally formed from elements of the Royal Rifle Volunteers, and Royal Green Jacket badged Sub-Units of The London Regiment following the Future Army Structure programme, and remains an integral part of the regiment.

Royal Rifle Volunteers

Formation

In 1999, the Territorial Army (TA) was reorganised, in what became part of the Strategic Defence Review, with an emphasis on the reduction of the infantry and expansion of the armoured (yeomanry) and royal artillery (air defence elements). On 1 July 1999, the Royal Rifle Volunteers (RRV) was formed through the amalgamation of the following battalions: 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (part), 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (part), and 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Green Jackets. The new regiment becoming the TA infantry regiment for the South Central area.[1] [2] [3]

The new regiment's structure on formation was as follows:[4]

The new regiment was placed under command of the 145th (South) Brigade, which in 2000, was redesignation as the 145th (Home Counties) Brigade. The regiment was, and would remain the only infantry unit in the brigade, sitting alongside its University Officer Training Corps counterparts.[6] [7]

Future Army Structure

On 1 April 2000 9 (PBIWR) Platoon was redesignated as 9 (Isle of Wight) Platoon, losing its connection with Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles.

In 2003, the Future Army Structure programme was announced, which would see the infantry of the army reorganised into new "Large Regiments". On 22 July 2005, the RGBW Company was redesignated as B (RGBW) Company and consolidated in Reading, and on 1 April 2006, the battalion was reorganised in preparation for its integration into the Rifles[8] into the following:

In addition the above structure changes, C (PWRR) Coy was transferred to the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Deployments

In February 2003, a company of RRV were deployed to Afghanistan under OP Fingal. It was the 1st large scale mobilisation of reserves since the 2nd World War. They were later joined by a regular company from 1 Royal Anglian.

In March 2004, a composite platoon was formed with personnel from across the regiment and deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic VI. In November the platoon joined the 20th Armoured Brigade and deployed in Basra. In May 2005, it returned to the United Kingdom and was demobilised shortly thereafter.[11] [12]

In February 2005, Roebuck Company was formed and mobilised with personnel from across the regiment. On the 18 May 2005, the company arrived in Iraq and assumed it role on 27 March 2005 of providing force protection for HQ MND (SE), initially under Command of the Rear Ops BG and later under Force Protection Wing, Basra Air Station. On 26 November 2005 the company was relieved and returned to the UK, initially returning to Bodney Camp, Norfolk, until demobilisation. Elements of the regiment also served in Northern Ireland (Operation Banner), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR), Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija (KFOR), and Sierra Leone (Operation Palliser).[13]

On 26 January 2006, Secretary of State for Defence John Reid announced members of the regiment would deploy alongside HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps to provide force protection at, what would later become, Camp Bastion. 30 Soldiers of the regiment then formed Salamanca Platoon, which deployed with Task Force Helmand from April to September 2006.[14]

7th Battalion, The Rifles

Formation

On 1 February 2007, regimental headquarters was reduced to a battalion headquarters and renamed as the 7th Battalion, The Rifles (7 RIFLES).[15] Following the regiment's integration into The Rifles, the Waterloo Band became the Waterloo Band of the Rifles. After its redesignation, the regiment remained under 145th Bde and remained as a light infantry battalion.[16] [17]

Army 2020

In 2013, a restructuring the Army was announced, Army 2020, which would help the army become more deployable and quicker-reacting. Part of this reform was the redesignation of Support Command, with its subordinate divisions disbanding and most brigades being disbanded. 145th Bde merged with 11th Light Brigade in Lisburn, and 2nd (South East) Brigade at Folkestone to form the 11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East at Aldershot Garrison forming the new regional HQ.[18] [19] Under this reform the 7 RIFLES joined 38th (Irish) Brigade and was paired with 2 RIFLES based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.[20]

Under this reorganisation, the battalion itself was reorganised with the following changes occurring: Aylesbury Platoon, A Coy disbanded, and the company consolidated in Abingdon-on-Thames. E Coy converted and redesignated as No. 678 (The Rifles) Squadron, Army Air Corps[21] with Marlow Platoon becoming Marlow Troop, 871 Postal & Courier Squadron RLC.[22] F & G Companies remained unchanged. In addition, all company subtitles were removed.[23]

Army 2020 Refine

In 2015, a further supplement was published to the previous Army 2020 plan, entitled "Army 2020", which saw the battalion expand, change role, and move formation. As part of this refine, the battalion was moved under the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, equipped with Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles (thereby becoming 'Armoured Infantry'), de-linked with 2 RIFLES from the formation of 8 RIFLES in 2018, and paired with 5 RIFLES.[24] [25]

Under the reforms, A Coy moved to High Wycombe and formed two new platoons in Aylesbury and Marlow, a new B Coy formed in Swindon and Bulford, a new C Company formed in Reading (taking responsibility for the Assault Pioneer Platoon from HQ Coy) and F Company was moved to the London Regiment, G Company added outstations in Mile End and Kensington, HQ Coy remained in Reading.

The battalion's new, and current, structure is as follows as of April 2021:[26]

Future Soldier

In 2021 a further British Army Wide restructure was announced, "Future Soldier".

Waterloo Band and Bugles

Until 2009 the band was based at Slade Park Barracks, Oxford, but moved to Edward Brooks Barracks in Abingdon-on-Thames[39] under Headquarters Company.

Colonels

Royal Colonel

Honorary Colonels

From 1999, Honorary Colonels of the companies are also 'Deputy Honorary Colonels' of the regiment.

Deputy Honorary Colonels

Footnotes

  1. Web site: 2007-12-17. The Royal Rifle Volunteers [UK]]. 2021-04-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071217114222/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/99RoyRf.htm. 2007-12-17.
  2. Web site: About Us. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611142538/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/about_us/index.htm. bot: unknown.
  3. Web site: The History of RGJ Territorial Units. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611153930/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/regimental_history/history_of_rgj_territorial_army.htm. bot: unknown.
  4. Heyman 2003, p. 214.
  5. Web site: The Waterloo Band and Bugles. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611153925/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/about_us/waterloo_band_bugles.htm. bot: unknown.
  6. Heyman 2003, p. 44.
  7. Tanner, p. 26.
  8. Web site: Future Army Structure. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611142528/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/future_army_structure.htm. bot: unknown.
  9. Web site: The British Army. land-mediacomms-webcontent@land mod uk. 2008-11-05. The British Army - 7 RIFLES. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 6 November 2008. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081106025741/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/5980.aspx. bot: unknown.
  10. Web site: Welcome to TA Day. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 1 February 2005. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20050201060309/http://www.army.mod.uk/ta_day/units/south_east.htm. bot: unknown.
  11. Web site: Iraq. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611153925/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/training_operations/iraq.htm. bot: unknown.
  12. Web site: 7 RIFLES. 2021-04-12. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  13. Web site: Royal Rifle Volunteers (RRV). 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611140010/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/index.htm. bot: unknown.
  14. Web site: Training & Operations. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 June 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060611142529/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalriflevolunteers/training_operations/index.htm. bot: unknown.
  15. Heyman 2007, p. 64.
  16. Web site: 145 (South) Brigade. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 7 January 2008. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080107230130/http://www.army.mod.uk/145bde/index.htm. bot: unknown.
  17. Web site: 7 RIFLES. 2021-04-12. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 5 November 2008. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081105201529/http://www2.army.mod.uk/infantry/regts/the_rifles/regiment_today/battalions_locations/7rifles/index.htm. bot: unknown.
  18. Web site: Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf. 14 August 2016. 11 April 2021. Army Families Federation.
  19. Web site: 5 March 2013. Regular Army Basing Plan Sorted by Unit. 11 April 2021. United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications.
  20. Web site: Ministry. of Defence. July 2013. Transforming the British Army an Update. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140325181706/http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2014-0042/20140110-PQ01968B-SOames-A2020-Update-Glossy-U.pdf . 2014-03-25 . 11 April 2021. Parliamentary Publishments.
  21. Web site: South East RFCA > Reserves > Army Reserve > Army Air Corps > 678 (RIFLES) Squadron AAC, 6 Regt AAC. 2021-04-12. www.serfca.org.
  22. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, Youens House, Old Horns Lane, High Wycombe SL7 3DU. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  23. Web site: Summary of Army 2020 Reserve Structure and Basing Changes. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203193356/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/20130703-SUMMARY_OF_ARMY_2020_RESERVE_STRUCTURE_AND_BASING.pdf. 3 December 2013. 11 April 2021. British Army. 24.
  24. Web site: South East RFCA > Reserves > Army Reserve > Infantry > 7th Battalion The Rifles. 2021-04-12. www.serfca.org.
  25. Web site: 10 March 2017. Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615140804/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf . 2018-06-15 . 29 July 2020. Parliament Publishing Services.
  26. Web site: 6 July 2020. Information regarding locations of Army Reserve units. live. 11 April 2021. What do they know?. https://web.archive.org/web/20200706215250/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/664382/response/1596315/attach/3/20200706%20FOI05506%20Arbeely%20Response%20Letter%20ArmySec.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 . 2020-07-06 .
  27. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, 14 Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TN. live. 11 April 2021. Army Careers. https://web.archive.org/web/20210412035800/https://apply.army.mod.uk/what-we-offer/army-reserve-centres/south-east/london-1a-iverna-gardens . 2021-04-12 .
  28. Web site: Brock Barracks, Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1HW. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  29. Web site: South East RFCA > Reserves > Army Reserve > Reserve Band > Waterloo Band & Bugles of the Rifles. 2021-04-12. www.serfca.org.
  30. Web site: Edward Brooks Barracks, Cholswell Road, Shippon, Abingdon OX13 6HW. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  31. Web site: Reserve RIFLES. 2021-09-01. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  32. Web site: 7 RIFLES RSM March Blog: Is it spring yet????. 23 February 2021.
  33. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, Viney House, Oxford Road, Aylesbury HP19 8RN. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  34. Web site: 12 February 2015 . On tour with Army Reservist Riflemen Ben Eden 7RIFLES . 23 February 2021.
  35. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, Church Place, Swindon SN1 5EH. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  36. Web site: Training Wing, Building 32, Ward Barracks, Bulford SP4 9NA. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  37. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, The Cedars Portway, West Ham, London E15 3QN. 12 April 2021. Army Careers.
  38. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, 405 Mile End Road, Mile End, London E3 4PB. 11 April 2021. Army Careers.
  39. Web site: 7 RIFLES The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles. 2021-04-12. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.

References

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