The Regiment In The First Nine Months

When war was declared the 1st Battalion was in Egypt and the 2nd Battalion at home.

The 1st Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. E. Gott, M.C., joined the troops guarding the western frontier, where training in desert warfare was completed. Later it formed part of the Support Group in the 7th Armoured Division. When hostilities with Italy began, the Battalion was in the highest state of efficiency.

The 2nd Battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. B. Miller M.C., remained at home for the first nine months and formed part of the brigade which fought at Calais.

The three Territorial regiments attached to The King's Royal T.A. Bns. Rifle Corps were soon after mobilization made part of the Regiment and their battalions were later numbered as follows:

1st and 2nd Bns. Queen Victoria's Rifles—7th and 8th Bns. The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

1st and 2nd Bns. The Rangers—9th and 10th Bns. The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

1st and 2nd Bns. The Queen's Westminsters — 11th and 12th Bns. The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

During 1940 these battalions were equipped and trained as motor battalions.

The Rhodesians

In April, 1940, detachments of Rhodesians joined the 1st Battalion and by the end of the month a Rhodesian Platoon had been formed in the Battalion, receiving reinforcements from Rhodesia, and were later on formed into a Rhodesian Company, one of the finest companies in the Regiment.

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