1661 - 1966

Introduction by Colonel A.C. Ward OBE.
President of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Association.

Then its Tommy this an Tommy that an “Tommy, ‘ow’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eros’ when the drums begin to roll
The drums begin to roll my boys; the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eros’ when the drums begin to roll.

This website tells the history, traditions and customs of the two Infantry Regiments of Surrey. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey), the 2^nd of Foot, was England’s oldest infantry Regiment formed in 1661. The East Surrey Regiment was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 31^st who first paraded in 1702 as a Marine Regiment and the 70^th who were raised in 1758. These two Regiments were amalgamated in 1959 to form The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment.

The website provides details of the history, the museum at Clandon Park, near Guildford and the Regimental Association which arranges reunions and looks after the welfare of our old comrades and when necessary organises benevolence grants to those in need.

The British Army thrives on traditions, regimental pride, service to the Nation and loyalty to the Crown. This heady mixture produces a tight feeling of esprit d’corps and that team fighting spirit that has resulted in the superb battle effectiveness of the British Infantry – the envy of many other nations.

But how often have we heard that there is never enough Infantry for the Country’s needs?. Successive Governments throughout history have sought cuts through reductions of battalions or amalgamations of Regiments.

Each change dilutes that tight-knit band of brothers who have close connections with the towns and villages of their county. The history on this website illustrates this most effectively. Both Regiments have been awarded many Battle Honours and Distinctions, bourne on their colours which can be seen on this website, or on a visit to the museum.

During the Great War the Queen’s raised thirty one battalions and the East Surreys thirteen battalions. The casualties were horrendous; the Queen’s lost 7399 officers, NCOs and men killed. The Surreys had 6223 officers and rank and file killed.

During the Second World War the combined casualty figures for both Regiments was 3788 officers, NCOs and men who made the supreme sacrifice. Their names can be seen in the Books of Remembrance in the Regimental Chapels and on War Memorials throughout Surrey, South London and elsewhere.

In 1966, The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment became part of The Queen’s Regiment and as a result of further reductions of Infantry in 1992 The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment was formed by the amalgamation of The Queen’s Regiment and The Royal Hampshire Regiment. (Their website is www.123pwrr.co.uk)