Regimental Timeline

The Second or The Queen's Royal Regiment

The Second World War: 1939-1945

1940

  The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
 

1st Battalion (2nd Foot)

 

Allahabad, India.

October

Operations in Waziristan, North-West frontier.

 

2nd Battalion (2nd Foot)

 

Internal Security Operations in Palestine.

September

Embarks for Egypt. Joins 16 Infantry Brigade (4th Indian Division).

 

Defensive operations against the Italians.

December

Battle of Sidi Barrani.

19th December

Moves to Bardia

 

Shoulder title worn on battle dress.

Territorial Army

 

4th Battalion (63rd Searchlight Regt)

22nd July

Redesignated as 63 (4th Bn The Queen’s) Searchlight Regiment RE and transferred to RE.

 

1st/5th Battalion

7th February

Inspected by King George VI.

2nd April

Embarks at Southampton for France.

 

Moves to Armentières. Duty in the Maginot Line Extension.

10th - 21st May

Battle of the Escaut.

27th - 28th May

Action at Strazeele.

28th - 31st May

Retreat to Dunkirk and return to England. Re-forms at Oxford.

 

2nd/5th Battalion

22nd April

Embarks at Southampton for Le Havre; pioneer duties near Forges.

17th - 18th May

Moves to Abbeville.

20th May

Action on the Somme.

21st - 25th May

Withdrawal to Rouen.

5th June

Move to Cherbourg, embarkation and return to England. Re-forms at Newcastle.

 

1st/6th Battalion

7th February

Inspected by King George VI.

2nd April

Embarks at Southampton for France.

 

Moves to Armentières. Duty in the Maginot Line Extension.

10th - 21st May

Battle of the Escaut.

27th - 28th May

Action at Strazeele.

28th - 31st May

Retreat to Dunkirk and return to England. Re-forms at Oxford.

 

2nd/6th Battalion

22nd April

Embarks at Southampton for Le Havre; pioneer duties near Abancourt.

17th - 18th May

Moves to Abbeville.

20th May

Action on the Somme.

21st - 25th May

Withdrawal to Rouen.

5th June

Move to Cherbourg, embarkation and return to England. Re-forms at Newcastle.

 

1st/7th Battalion

7th February

Inspected by King George VI.

2nd April

Embarks at Southampton for France.

 

Moves to Armentières. Duty in the Maginot Line Extension.

16th May

Transferred to 25 Inf Bde (5th Division).

17th - 19th May

Action Ninove.

20th - 25th May

Action at La Basseé canal.

26th May

25 Inf Bde transferred to 2nd Division.

27th - 30th May

Retreat to Dunkirk and return to England. Rejoins 131 Inf Bde for re-formation.

 

2nd/7th Battalion

22nd April

Embarks at Southampton for Le Havre; pioneer duties near Abancourt.

17th - 18th May

Moves to Abbeville.

5th June

Move to Cherbourg, embarkation and return to England. Re-forms at Newcastle.

 

20th Battalion

 

Adopted as a cover title by 154 Parachute Battalion.

 

 

Home Defence Battalions

 

11th Battalion

 

Home service.

 

12th Battalion

 

Home service.

 

14th Battalion

4th July

Formed at Dorchester.

 

15th Battalion

9th October

Formed from 50th (Holding) Battalion.

 

20th Battalion

27th May

Formed at Aldershot as parachute battalion from 5th Scots Guards and other ski troops.

3rd May

Disbanded.

 

31st Battalion

4th July

Formed at Cowshot Camp, Aldershot, from drafts of 12th and 30th Battalions.

 

50th (Holding) Battalion.

May

Formed at Caterham.

9th October

Redesignated as 15th Battalion.

 

70th (Young Soldiers) Battalion

16th September

Formed from two coys of 11th (HS) Bn.

Home Guard Battalions

 

1st (Camberley and Farnham), 2nd, 4th (Guildford), 5th (Godalming and Dist), 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th 3rd (Southern Railway), 23rd Croydon), 33rd (Croydon), 32nd, 60th (Surrey) Battalions affiliated.

 

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