History
Today the proud histories and traditions of all our forebears are cherished by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Early History
Our three immediate predecessor Regiments were all raised in the 1680s and won early distinction in the Low Countries under William of Orange. At Fontenoy 1745, their gallant conduct earned them the right to display a laurel wreath on their Colours and badges. This is still worn in our cap badge today.
North America
We are a major part in the early history of North America and the West Indies, fighting first against the French and their Native American allies and then in the War of American Independence and the War of 1812. The Battle Honour ‘Quebec 1759’ is commemorated annually, as is the campaign in Guadeloupe, when the Regiment adopted the French Fleur de Lys, which is now displayed on our buttons.
The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
In this struggle from 1739 to 1815 the Regiment was widely deployed against France and earned 27 Battle Honours, including a Sphinx badge for their services in Egypt. Among the trophies taken are: French Drums captured at Arroyo dos Molinos; and a Napoleonic Eagle from the Battle of Salamanca. The anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815, is observed with a parade when Colours and caps are decorated with laurel wreaths and leaves.
Soldiers of The Queen
In the century between the defeat of Napoleon and the outbreak of the Great War our predecessors were stationed world-wide.
County Regiments
On 1st July 1881 Infantry throughout the North West were given the territorial names under which they fought in two World Wars: the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), the East Lancashire, South Lancashire; Loyal North Lancashire Regiments, and the Manchesters.
The Great War 1914-18
In the War we raised 176 battalions, of whom 109 saw active service overseas, earning 124 battle honours and 43 VCs. The opening day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916 is commemorated annually.
The Second World War 1939-1945
In the War we fought across the globe. Three battalions of the Regiment held the perimeter in Dunkirk, earning the only VC awarded for that operation. We also fought in Malaya and Singapore, Iraq, Syria, Madagascar and North Africa, winning a VC in Tunisia. We played a prominent part in the liberation of Europe and our part in the airborne invasion of Sicily is commemorated by the Regiment’s glider flash. We won distinction at the defence of the Anzio bridgehead. On D Day we were in the first assault wave and later fought at Arnhem, the Ardennes and the Reichswald. In the Burma campaign, battalions fought at Imphal and Kohima and served deep behind enemy lines with the famous Chindits. During the War a further 52 Battle Honours were added to the Regiment’s proud record.
Post-War Operations
Since 1945 our predecessors have seen active services in Palestine, Korea, the Canal Zone, Malaya, Aden, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and, most recently, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In total, The Duke of Lancaster’s predecessor regiments have won 59 VCs and 2 GC’s. 13 of our 303 battle honours are unique. We are the only regiment of any army at any time in history to carry battle honours from every inhabited continent on our Colours.
Formation
The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment was formed on 1st July 2006 from the merger of three historic Regiments of the North West:
The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment; The King’s Regiment; and The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.
Our full history can be found in the Regimental Handbook.