It will be evident to readers of this Brief History that our Regiment has always possessed certain marked characteristics.

First, instead of a rigid adherence to accepted methods, our leaders have always encouraged an independence of thought which has enabled the Regiment to tackle new problems, and adopt new methods, to meet changing conditions. When the problem was how to meet and defeat the cunning of the Indian in his native forest, we see the 60th forsaking the scarlet uniforms and the slow and vulnerable tactics of the day. In the Peninsular War we see them dressed in green, adopting loose formations with rifles at the trail, and relying on accurate and rapid shooting combined with rapidity of movement, a simplified drill and short words of command. Since that time the Regiment has again and again given a practical lead of the same kind that has eventually been followed.

As in 1797 in the Peninsula, and as with the Mounted Infantry in Egypt and South Africa, so in 1939 the Regiment undertook an exacting new role, this time that of Motor Battalions in the Armoured Divisions. We find them with new weapons, new means of transport and a new organization, but still "swift and bold" in the old traditional style, skirmishing in the forefront of the battle, protecting the flanks, guarding a retreat, scattered wide in small groups yet acting in combination, furnishing the night outposts, co-operating with other regiments and with other arms, and always ready for any task, in every conceivable sort of country, which they may be asked to carry out.

It may justly be said that the role of "Motor" (a very inadequate designation) was one that, in the Second World War, required higher qualities of endurance and skill, and often bringing less recognition or reward than most, all the more honourable for that!

But special duties and peculiar methods do not give the whole story. The Regiment owes much to the ideals it has followed in the matter of relations between officers and men, to a conception of discipline which combines mutual respect and trust with obedience to orders.

Nor must we by any means appropriate the name of “Rifleman” to ourselves alone. It is shared by our splendid comrades-in-arms of the Rifle Brigade, the other Rifle Regiment with which we have so much in common; the same shrine in Winchester Cathedral, a common Depot, joint organizations for training, for sport and for the welfare of our men, not to mention similar methods, ideas, dress and skill-at-arms, and, lastly, in the appellation of “Greenjacket.” During the recent wars this alliance was frequently cemented by interchange of officers (including battalion commanders) and other ranks between the two Regiments. It may also be added that both Regiments, having no county connection, recruit largely from London. It is a brotherhood which no Rifleman should ever forget.
The name is also shared with the Gurkha Rifle Regiments which adopted rifle-green uniforms and rifle tactics and methods. Our comradeship with the 2nd Gurkha Rifles dates from the Indian Mutiny and the siege of Delhi. It should be added that the Regiment may claim a proud distinction in a long connection with the Royal Family, six members of which, including His late Majesty King George V and His Majesty King George VI, have been Colonels-in-Chief, and five Royal Princes, two of whom lost their lives on active service, served in the Regiment between 1887 and 1921.

Such are the traditions handed down from the Royal Americans and the 60th Rifles to The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

“Not by the power of Commerce, Art or Pen,
Shall our great Empire stand, nor has it stood;
But by the noble deeds of noble men,
Heroic lives and Heroes outpoured blood”