Foreword

2nd Surrey Militia Battalion Company 1805 Enlarge Image

The roots of the Reserve Forces go back into history. They have been called upon many times over the centuries, but never more so than in the last hundred years, from the Boer War onwards. There have been many changes both in establishments and roles over the years, and never more so than in recent times. In spite of this young men (and women!) show the same interest and enthusiasm, and continue to volunteer to serve. In recent times soldiers from our successor battalions in the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment have served in the Falklands, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. At a time when the most recent Strategic Defence Review has reduced our successors presence in Surrey to one company it is right to record this comprehensive review, and reflect how vast the willing and extensive contribution made by our Territorials over the years has been.

Battalions were deployed in virtually every major theatre in two World Wars, and proved themselves fully as capable as their Regular counterparts. In the 1960’s men came forward as ‘Ever Readies’ to augment regular battalions. Many individuals have been recognised for their gallantry by awards and decorations. For those of you who have served in one of our Territorial Units, I hope that this web-site will bring back memories. For others interested in our history may it serve as a proud record of the men of Surrey and South London who have volunteered over the years, and who have so rightly been described as being ‘Twice a Citizen’.

Royal Surrey Militia Militiaman c1584 Enlarge Image		Royal Surrey Militia Private Centinal c1759 Enlarge Image