For many centuries Britain relied upon her Regular Army to maintain law and order, to garrison British possessions overseas, and, when wars occurred, to fight her battles all over the world. Whenever England has been in danger of invasion volunteer associations and regiments of citizen soldiers were raised for home defence. When peace came these units were mostly disbanded, but some always remained ready to be expanded when the danger revived.
Up to the outbreak of the South African War in 1899, volunteer units had been very little expense to the State. They were maintained by voluntary contributions; they purchased their own equipment and clothing; officers and men were unpaid.
From 1900 to 1902 the Volunteers sent large contingents to South Africa. The City Imperial Volunteers, horse and foot, largely recruited from London regiments, served in South Africa until the war ended, when they were disbanded.
It was not until 1908, when Germany began to challenge British sea supremacy, that the Volunteer units were organized as the Territorial Force (later the Territorial Army) and were given a definite role with equipment, pay, and close associations with the Regular Army in the military forces of the country
In the long history of our Territorial regiments it is not therefore surprising to find changes in title, amalgamations and temporary disbandments frequently occurring. In these vicissitudes the three Territorial regiments with which The King's Royal Rifle Corps has been associated have been no exception.
All three regiments, Queen Victoria's Rifles, The Rangers and Queen's Westminsters were linked for many years, with the 60th Rifles and have worn Rifle uniform. All Territorial infantry regiments were given a second battalion in 1938. As we have seen, in the early stage of the Second World War they became actually part of The King's Royal Rifle Corps, each regiment providing two motor battalions, and, to make the union more complete, the officers and men of all three regiments were put on one King's Royal Rifle Corps list and became interchangeable. Most officers and Riflemen served during the Second World War in more than one of the total eight battalions, and some in three or four.
In 1947 The Rangers were transferred to The Rifle Brigade.
