View source for Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Devonshire and Dorset Regiment
| image                         = 
| image_size                    = 
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 1958 – 2007
| country                       = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch                        = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| type                          = [[Line infantry]]
| role                          = [[Infantry]]
| size                          = Two [[battalion]]s
| command_structure             = [[Prince of Wales' Division]]
| garrison                      = 
| current_commander             = 
| Regimental Headquarters       = 
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Colonel-in-Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = 
| nickname                      = 
| identification_symbol         = [[Image:D&D TRF.svg|75px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 ribbon.svg|106px]]<br/>Croix de Guerre<br><small>From Devonshire Regiment</small>
| identification_symbol_2_label = Arm Badge
| motto                         = ''[[Semper Fidelis]]''
Latin: "Always Faithful"
| march                         = Quick – ''Widdecombe Fair/We've Lived and Loved Together/The Maid of Glenconnel''
| anniversaries                 = 
}}
The '''Devonshire and Dorset Regiment''' (11th, 39th and 54th), usually just known as the '''Devon and Dorsets''', was an [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]] formed in 1958 by the amalgamation of two county regiments, the [[Devonshire Regiment]] and the [[Dorset Regiment]]. In 2007 it was itself merged into [[The Rifles]], a "[[large regiment]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/history.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=index|title=History|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=regts>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/011DD.htm|title=The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|last=Mills|first=T F|date=16 July 2006|work=regiments.org: Land Forces of Britain the Empire and the Commonwealth|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013145300/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/011DD.htm|archive-date=13 October 2007}}</ref> Members of the regiments referred to themselves as being a [[Janner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devondorsetregiment.co.uk/publications|title=Publications|publisher=The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref>

==Formation==
As part of the [[1957 Defence White Paper|1957 Defence Review]], it was announced that there would be a reduction in the number of infantry battalions in the British Army. The reduction was to be effected by the merging of a number of pairs of regiments.<ref name=1957rev>Merged regiments and new brigading – many famous units to lose separate identity. ''[[The Times]]'', 25 July 1957.</ref>

Among the mergers to be carried out were those of the regiments of the two neighbouring counties of [[Devon]] and [[Dorset]].
* [[Devonshire Regiment]] (the former 11th Regiment of Foot, originally raised in 1685)
* [[Dorset Regiment]] (the successor to the [[39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot|39th Foot]], raised in 1702; and the [[54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot|54th Foot]], dating from 1755)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051028190629/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/039Dorst.htm The Dorset Regiment at the archive of regiments.org]</ref>

The amalgamation took place in [[Minden]], [[Germany]], on 17 May 1958. The new 1st Battalion, Devonshire and Dorset Regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Guy Young, formerly commanding officer of the 1st Devonshires, while the colonel of the regiment was Major-General [[George Wood (British Army officer)|George Neville Wood]], formerly of the Dorsets.<ref name="regts"/><ref name="merger">{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/amalgamation.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Amalgamation|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref>

==Service==
===1960s===
In November 1958 the 1st Battalion moved to [[Cyprus]], where they carried out [[History of Cyprus since 1878|anti-insurgency activities]] against the paramilitary [[EOKA]] organisation. A ceasefire was called in December 1959, and the island achieved independence from Britain in August 1960. Following the ending of the conflict the battalion carried out exercises in [[Kingdom of Libya|Libya]] before returning to the United Kingdom in 1961.<ref name="cyprus">{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/cyprus.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Cyprus 1958–1961|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="regts2">{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/011dd.htm|title=1st Battalion, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|last=Mills|first=T F|date=16 May 2006|work=regiments.org: Land Forces of Britain the Empire and the Commonwealth|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016145902/http://regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/011dd.htm|archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref>

From 1961 to 1963 the battalion was based in [[Plymouth]], taking part in exercises in the [[Salisbury Plain Training Area]] and in recruitment activities following the ending of [[conscription|National Service]]. In May 1962 the regiment was given the [[Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1885|freedom]] of the City of Exeter, and were presented with a stand of [[Military colours|colours]] by the [[Colonel-in-Chief]], [[Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark|Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent]].<ref name="regts2"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/plymouth.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Plymouth 1961–1963|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref>

From July 1963 the battalion was based in [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]], [[County Down]]. Placed on twenty-four hours' travel notice, in May 1964 they moved to [[British Guiana]] where there was political and civil unrest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/belfast.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Belfast 1963–1965 (Including British Guiana 1964)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> Elections were held in December of that year, a first step in the independence of the colony. The battalion returned to Holywood in January 1965.<ref name="regts2"/>

In February 1966 the battalion joined the [[British Army of the Rhine]] (BAOR) as part of [[6th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|6th Infantry Brigade]] based in [[Münster]].<ref name="regts2"/><ref name=baor>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/baor.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=BAOR – Münster and Osnabrück 1965–1969|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> In 1967 disturbances spread throughout the Arab world in the wake of the [[Six-Day War]]. The battalion were dispatched to [[Benghazi]] in Libya to evacuate isolated British personnel.<ref name="regts2"/> In January 1968 the regiment were transferred within the BAOR to the [[12th Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom)|12th Infantry Brigade]] based in [[Osnabrück]].<ref name="regts2"/><ref name="baor"/>
In 1970 the battalion moved to [[Malta]].<ref name="regts2"/><ref name="malta"/> Following the outbreak of [[The Troubles]] in [[Northern Ireland]], the Devon and Dorsets were moved to [[Belfast]] with less than twenty four hours' notice in June 1970.<ref name=malta>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/malta.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Malta GC 1970–1971 (including Belfast 1970)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> They found themselves involved in the [[Falls Curfew|Battle of the Falls]].<ref name="malta"/> They returned to Malta in August 1970.<ref name="regts2"/>

===1970s===
In 1971 the battalion moved to Gordon Barracks in [[Gillingham, Kent]]. As an air-portable unit, elements of the Devon & Dorsets were frequently dispatched to various locations at short notice: In January 1972 they moved to [[County Armagh]], to [[British Honduras]] in August 1972, to West Belfast in October 1973, to Cyprus in October 1974 and to [[Belize]] in November 1975.<ref name="regts2"/><ref name=gill>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/gillingham.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Gillingham 1971–1976 (including Armagh 1972, British Honduras 1972/73, West Belfast 1973/74, Kenya 1974, Cyprus 1975 and Belize 1975)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref>

In May 1976 the battalion rejoined the [[12th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|12th Mechanised Brigade]] in Osnabrück.<ref name=1976osna>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/osnabruck.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=history|title=Osnabrück 1976–1980 (including North Belfast 1977 and Central Belfast 1979)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> They did two tours of duty in Northern Ireland: in North Belfast from January to May 1977 and in Central Belfast from January to May 1979.<ref name="regts2"/>

===1980s and 1990s===
In April 1980 the battalion moved to [[Colchester]]. From July to November 1981 they did another tour in County Armagh under [[Operation Banner]], and in 1982 took part in training exercises in [[Kenya]].<ref name=1980colch>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/colchester.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=osnabruck|title=Colchester 1980–1983 (including Armagh 1981 and Kenya 1982)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref>

In March 1983 the Devon & Dorsets became a resident battalion at [[Abercorn Barracks]] in [[Ballykinler]] in Northern Ireland as part of the [[39th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|39th Infantry Brigade]], remaining there until 1985.<ref name="regts2"/> In 1985 they joined the [[Berlin Brigade]], remaining in the city until 1987.<ref name="regts2"/>

From February 1987 the battalion formed part of [[1st Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|1st Brigade]] at [[Bulford Camp|Bulford]].<ref name="regts2"/> Elements of the regiment were sent to the [[Falkland Islands]] and [[Belize]] in 1987 and 1988. From April to August 1989 they did another tour of duty in County Armagh.<ref name=keep1987>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/bulford.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=berlin|title=Bulford 1987–1991 (including Falkland Islands 1987, Belize 1988, Denmark 1988, Kenya 1989, Armagh 1989 and USA 1990|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> The Regimental Band were sent to the [[Persian Gulf]] between October 1990 and March 1991 as part of [[Operation Granby]] to serve in a field hospital.<ref name=keep1987/> In August 1991 the battalion returned to Germany and was based in [[Werl]] and [[Paderborn]].<ref name="regts2"/> In 1993 they had another tour of duty in West Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/werl.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=wider_regimental_1984|title=Werl 1991–1994 (including Belfast 1993)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> In 1994 they moved to Paderborn as part of the [[20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]].<ref name="regts2"/>

===Bosnia 1995===
In May 1995 the battalion formed part of the [[United Nations Protection Force]] intervening in the [[Bosnian War]]. Corporal Simon Harvey was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for twice extracting his [[Warrior tracked armoured vehicle]] from enemy fire on the Mount [[Igman]] route into [[Sarajevo]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54393 |date=9 May 1996|page=6547}}</ref><ref name=bosnia>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/paderborn.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=werl|title=Paderborn 1994–1998 (including Bosnia 1995, Belize 1996 and Northern Ireland 1996/97)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> For part of the campaign they served alongside the [[French Army|French]] [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment|2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie]] as part of United Nations Task Force Alpha, and a bond of friendship was later established between the two units.<ref name=bosnia/>

===1995–2005===
The battalion returned to Paderborn in November 1995 and was based there until 1998. Parts of the unit spent time in [[Fermanagh]] between December 1996 and June 1997.<ref name="regts2"/><ref name="bosnia"/> In March 1998 they moved to [[Warminster]] where they assumed responsibility for teaching infantry tactics at the Combined Arms Tactics Centre Battle Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/warminster.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=wider_regimental_1990|title=Warminster 1998–2000|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> They moved to the [[Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow]] in 2000.<ref name="regts2"/> After intensive training, the battalion performed [[public duties]] in London and [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] which included providing the [[Queen's Guard]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] during the [[September 11 attacks]] and in 2002 attending the [[state funeral]] of [[Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].<ref name=hounslow>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/devonanddorset/hounslow.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=warminster|title=Hounslow 2000–2002 (including Armagh 2000/01 and Belize 2001)|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=London 2001-9-12 Changing of the Guard|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV_2P7Z7mOw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/tV_2P7Z7mOw |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-09-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Devon and Dorsets was again the resident battalion at Ballykinler from 2002 to 2004. In 2004 the battalion moved to [[Catterick Garrison]].<ref name="regts2"/>

===Conversion to light infantry===
In 2003 a defence [[white paper]], ''[[Delivering Security in a Changing World]]'', was published. Among the changes proposed was the amalgamation of all single-battalion infantry regiments into multi-battalion [[large regiment]]s. As a result, discussions were undertaken between [[The Light Infantry]] and the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment concerning the formation of a three-battalion regiment. In December 2004 details of the amalgamations to be carried out were announced.<ref name="future">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102013.stm|title=In detail: Army restructuring plans|date=16 December 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref>  The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment would integrate Gloucestershire elements of the [[Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment]] to form a new battalion of The Light Infantry.<ref name="future"/> As part of the preparation for this, the regiment moved from the [[Prince of Wales' Division]] to the [[Light Division]], and was renamed the '''Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry''', on 22 July 2005.<ref name="regts"/>

===Amalgamation===
On 24 November 2005, the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] announced further changes to the amalgamations. The regiment were now to join a new large regiment created by the amalgamation of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Light Infantry, the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, and the [[Royal Green Jackets]]. This new regiment was to be called [[The Rifles]] and was to be formed in February 2007. In the lead-up to the formation of The Rifles, officers and men of all four regiments were cross posted, but '''1st Battalion, The Rifles''' was formed from the regular battalions of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.<ref name="regts"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6319493.stm|title=Army units merge to form Rifles|date=1 February 2007|work=BBC News|access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref> On becoming part of a rifle regiment, the Devon and Dorsets no longer carried their [[Military colours, standards and guidons|colours]]; these were laid up in [[Exeter Cathedral]] on 27 January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6305595.stm|title=Regiment colours left at new home|publisher=BBC|date=27 January 2007|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

==Regimental museum==
The Devonshire and Dorset regimental collections are displayed in the [[The Keep, Dorchester|Keep Military Museum]], [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]].<ref name=today>{{cite web|url=http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/thekeep.php?&dx=1&ob=3|title=The Keep Today|publisher=The Keep Military Museum|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528010926/http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/thekeep.php?&dx=1&ob=3|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Colonels-in-Chief==
Colonels-in-Chief of the regiment were:<ref name= reg/>
*1958–1968: [[Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark|Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent]], CI, GCVO, GBE
*1977–2007: F.M. [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]], KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC

==Regimental Colonels==
Colonels of the regiment were:<ref name=reg>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/011DD.htm |title=Devonshire and Dorset Regiment |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225110652/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/011DD.htm |archive-date=25 February 2007 }}</ref>

*1958–1962: Maj-Gen. [[George Wood (British Army officer)|George Neville Wood]], CB, CBE, DSO, MC
*1962–1967: Maj-Gen. [[Hugh Borradaile|Hugh Alastair Borradaile]], CB, DSO
*1967–1977: Brig. Alexander Edward Craven Bredin, DSO, MC
*1977–1979: Gen. Sir [[John Archer (British Army officer)|Arthur John Archer]], KCB, OBE
*1979–1984: Col. Michael Frederick Robert Bullock, OBE, DL
*1984–1990: Maj-Gen. [[Colin Shortis|Colin Terry Shortis]], CB, CBE
*1990–1998: Gen. Sir [[John Wilsey|John Finlay Willasey Wilsey]], GCB, CBE, ADC 
*1998–2002: Maj-Gen. [[Bryan Dutton|Bryan Hawkins Dutton]], CB, CBE
*2002–2007: Lt-Gen. Sir [[Cedric Delves|Cedric Norman George Delves]], KBE, DSO
*''2007: Regiment amalgamated with the [[Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment|Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry]], [[The Light Infantry]] and the [[Royal Green Jackets]] to form [[The Rifles]]''.

==Alliances==
* {{CAN}} – [[Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke]]
* {{AUS}} – [[Royal New South Wales Regiment|The Royal New South Wales Regiment]]
* {{MAS}} – 6th Battalion, [[Royal Malay Regiment]]
* {{RSA}} – [[South African Army Infantry Formation|5 South African Infantry Battalion]] (Bond of Friendship)
* {{RN}} – [[HMS Exeter (D89)|HMS ''Exeter'']]
* {{FRA}} – [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment|2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie]] (Bond of Friendship)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/ Regimental museum]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4102013.stm BBC News story on the reorganization plans]

{{The Rifles}}

[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1958]]
[[Category:British light infantry]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:The Rifles]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in England]]