| year: | 1967 |
1975 | 1990 | 1993 | 1997 | 2000 |
| battalions: | 16 | 35 | 41 | 36 | 33 | 15 |
| rifle companies: | 65 | 132 | 164 | 109 | 96 | 65 |
| Volunteer Battalions part of regular regiments |
| Volunteer Regiments 1967 - 2000 |
| TAVR III units 1967 - 1969, and cadres 1969 - 1975 |
Secondly, one identifies the TAVR III battalions that had a role in
home defence. These were formed on a more local basis, and perpetuated
not only infantry titles, but also that of Yeomanry, Royal Artillery, Royal
Engineers etc. In total there were 56 of these battalions, styled as Territorials.
In 1969 the TAVR III was disbanded, the battalions reduced to an eight
men cadre. Additionally new units were formed in existing TAVR II units.
sub-units from two battalions reverted to cadres under the Yeomanry section.
As this proved to much a reduction, in 1971 almost all cadres expanded
to form companies in new formed Home Defence Battalions. Cadres from Yeomanry
Territorials and Royal Artillery Territorials also transferred to infantry,
though kept designation 'Squadron' or 'Battery' for few more
years before begin called 'Company'. In this manner, The Queen's
Regiment formed a 6th (V) and a 7th (V) Battalion, both
in a home defence role, based on cadres of five infantry battalions and
three artillery regiments. Also three Yeomanry regiments formed in a home
defence infantry role. By 1983 all three had reverted to the Royal Armoured
Corps. In 1980, there were 38 infantry battalions.
Two Defence White Papers - 1982 and 1984 - meant a reorganisation of
the command structure, and an expansion of the Territorial Army. The general
consequences are discussed in the general introduction. For the infantry
this meant an increase by six new battalions. As this was partially done
by removing existing rifle companies and raising new ones, it also resulted
in a more traditional regimental grouping, which, as it implied less geographical
diversion, eased command and administration of the battalions. During these
reforms, battalions also formed platoons, and later companies, belonging
to the Home Service Force.
This reorganisation was completed by 1 April 1990, and the number of
battalions had increased to 41.
However, the next round of reorganisations was Options for Change, and
envisaged a new role for the reserve forces as the Cold War had ended and
the need for reinforcements to the BAOR disappeared. First of all the Home
Service Force was abolished. Secondly, six battalions disbanded, mostly
through amalgamation and each batta
Options for Change also witnessed the disbandment of the volunteer
regiments, when its battalions became part of regular line regiments. As
this meant destruction of some 25 years of experience, tradition and regimental
spirit, this decision wasn't welcomed that enthousiastic everywhere. For
example, the battalions of the Yorkshire Volunteers that became
battalions of Yorkshire line regiments, kept 'Yorkshire Volunteers'
as subtitle. The exception to the rule was the formation of the all-volunteer
London
Regiment, which consisted of even four rifle companies.
Furthermore, the mortar and anti-tank support elements were consolidated
in four fire-support battalions of only two companies - one per administrative
division and one for Scotland.
Few years later two more infantry battalions were lost, when one converted
as a reconnaissance regiment and one a transport regiment. The net result
of Options for Change was a total of 29 infantry and four fire support
battalions.
New changes were deemed necessary by the new Labour goverment, when they announed the Strategic Defence Review in 1998. It meant a complete redefinition of the task and role of the reserve forces. Henceforth, the 33 infantry battalions reduced to a mere 15 new-formed battalionsized units. Being battalions in name only, as they solely consist of rifle companies. This is in line with the new definition of the reserve infantry as the role of the TA changed from combat to support. The modern battlefield is unsuited for infantry with only partial training, and therefore the concept of deploying complete territorial infantry battalions in case of emergency is left. This implied this great a reduction in numbers. Instead, individual rifle companies are thought to be more suited to provide reinforcements as integral part of regular units.
As the infantry battalions just recovered from the havoc wrecked by Options for Change, the Strategic Defence Review was most unpopular. Nevertheless, all changes occurred very fluently, and the future looks promising. The new formed battalions are:
| year: | 1967 |
1975 | 1990 | 1993 | 1997 | 2000 |
| battalions: | 16 | 35 | 41 | 36 | 33 | 15 |
| rifle companies: | 65 | 132 | 164 | 109 | 96 | 65 |
:
excluding
battalions and companies part of the TAVR III.
Each battalion consisted in general of four rifle companies by the mid
80s, besides a HQ Company - one battalion had five, and one had three rifle
companies.
The following scheme gives the order of battle for the late 1980's:
The new formed London Regiment was an exception, consisting of four rifle companies and one headquarters/support company. As there was no regimental capbadge, each company retained its former badge. By early 1995 it was authorized to reduce to three rifle companies and a headquarters company. Instead of doing this, HQ company was reduced by distributing the support platoons over the rifle companies, thus avoiding to disband a company.
Things changed again in the summer of 1999 when the Strategic Defence Review took effect. With the London Regiment as example, all existing battalions were disbanded and reformed as part of new ''regional'' volunteer regiments/battalions. The capbadge was retained at company level. All battalions contained three to five rifle companies, each with three platoons. The third platoon generally is a support platoon (MILAN, Mortars, GPMG, Assault Pioneers or Recce). Headquarters companies have been disbanded effectively, apart from some administative elements, though are sometimes called as such to preserve some regimental identity lost otherwise.
In this new appearance the volunteer infantry entered a new century.
Last update: August 28, 2000
