The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) was an

infantry regiment Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

of the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

that existed from 1958 to 1966. The regiment served in the Cyprus Emergency, Brunei Revolt, Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and

West Berlin West Berlin ( or , ) was a political enclave which comprised the western part of Berlin from 1948 until 1990, during the Cold War. Although West Berlin lacked any sovereignty and was under military occupation until German reunification in 1 ...

. The regiment formed part of the Green Jackets Brigade and in 1963 was redesignated as a rifle regiment.

History

The regiment was formed following Duncan Sandys' 1957 Defence White Paper when the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry became the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) on 7 November 1958. The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) formed part of the Green Jackets Brigade which included the 2nd Green Jackets, Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the 3rd Green Jackets, Rifle Brigade. The regiment wore the Brigade's Cap badge: an Infantry bugle in the centre over a Maltese cross, a crown at the top above a scroll reading Peninsula and the badge was surrounded by a wreath. 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) wore black buttons on their uniform and kept the gorget button on officers and Warrant officers uniforms. The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) retained the Battle honours of the 1st Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 43rd and 52nd. The regiment's depot was at Peninsula Barracks,

Winchester Winchester (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs N ...

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, ...

. Bushfield Camp, near Winchester, was used as a temporary depot from 1961 to April 1964.

Cyprus

The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Martin, took part in operations against EOKA terrorists during the Cyprus Emergency. The regiment was based at Buckingham Camp at Polemidhia, near

Limassol Limassol, also known as Lemesos, is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus and capital of the Limassol district. Limassol is the second-largest urban area in Cyprus after Nicosia, with an urban population of 195,139 and a district population o ...

and was deployed mainly in the

area. Major Peter Gerahty was second-in-command of the regiment in Cyprus. Captain, later General Sir Robert Pascoe also served with the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) during the Cyprus Emergency. Following a farewell parade the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) returned to the UK on HMT Dunera in May 1959.

United Kingdom

The regiment was based at Knook Camp, near Warminster, in 1959. The regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Harbottle, was an infantry demonstration battalion from 1959 to 1962. Brigadier, later General Sir Antony Read had a key role in the planning stages for the new regiment and in its move to the Green Jackets Brigade. Major, later Colonel John Tillett was second-in-command of the regiment at Warminster. In accordance with the tradition of rifle regiments not carrying colours; in 1962 in

High Wycombe High Wycombe, often referred to as Wycombe ( ), is a market town in Buckinghamshire, England. Lying in the valley of the River Wye, Buckinghamshire, River Wye surrounded by the Chiltern Hills, it is west-northwest of Charing Cross in London, ...

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (, abbreviated ''Bucks'') is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east, Hertfordshir ...

, the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) marched the 43rd and 52nd colours for the last time. On that occasion the regiment provided a Guard of Honour for

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

which was commanded by Captain Edward Jones.Draper, p. 16. Major Dennis Fox was involved in the production of the 1962 film '' The Longest Day'' and members of the regiment took part as extras in the film.

Far East

In April 1962, the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) sailed from

Southampton Southampton is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately southwest of London, west of Portsmouth, and southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253, ...

Penang Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia along the Strait of Malacca. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. Th ...

on the troopship SS ''Nevasa''.The Gorget. Journal of the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) 1964, p. 10. The regiment was the first unit to be posted to the

Far East The Far East is the geographical region that encompasses the easternmost portion of the Asian continent, including North Asia, North, East Asia, East and Southeast Asia. South Asia is sometimes also included in the definition of the term. In mod ...

without any National Servicemen, following the end of

conscription Conscription, also known as the draft in the United States and Israel, is the practice in which the compulsory enlistment in a national service, mainly a military service, is enforced by law. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it conti ...

in 1961. Following deployment to the Far East the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) took part in Jungle warfare training and small exercises. On 9 December 1962, the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) led by Lieutenant Colonel Tod Sweeney was deployed to

Brunei Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with ...

on the island of

Borneo Borneo () is the List of islands by area, third-largest island in the world, with an area of , and population of 23,053,723 (2020 national censuses). Situated at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, it is one of the Greater Sunda ...

after an Indonesian-backed uprising occurred. Major David Wood was second-in-command of the regiment during the Brunei Revolt. Major David Mostyn, Captain Robin Evelegh and Lieutenant Robin Letts who later served with 22 SAS, was awarded the

Military Cross The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level until 1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) Other ranks (UK), other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth of ...

: Borneo 1965 and later transferred to the

Australian Army The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army ...

, joined the Australian SAS and served in the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...

, also took part in operations against the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU). Lieutenant Colonel Tod Sweeney tasked Captain John Stevenson the battalion's transport officer and NCOs with collecting troops from Jalan Gajah and other parts of the island; many troops were out of the barracks as it was a Sunday. The regiment moved from Penang on 9 December 1962 by 19.00hrs within 6 hours notice. First driving through the night to

Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a Federal Territories of Malaysia, federal territory of Malaysia. It is the largest city in the country, covering an area of with a census population ...

which they reached early the following day; the regiment then continued to

Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...

and arrived there by nightfall.Allen, p 76. The regiment had been informed that they were moving to Singapore to relieve the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons). Following the 640-mile JourneyVan Der Bijl, p. 129 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) were then told by the Military Police to drive straight to the docks where they boarded the cruiser HMS ''Tiger'' and received orders for the regiment's deployment. The mobilisation of the regiment, move to Singapore and embarkation on HMS Tiger were all completed within 34 hours. The ship sailed for Borneo on 11 December at 22.45hrs; sailing across the

South China Sea The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...

in heavy rain. The ship had 619 troops on board however was designed for a maximum capacity of 400. The regiment took part in an opposed landing at Miri,

Sarawak Sarawak ( , ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. It is the largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is ...

, south of the border with Brunei, at dawn on 12 December 1962Van Der Bijl, p. 147 and also in the capture of Bekenu, 30 miles south of Miri, which commenced on 13 December 09.45hrs. 1st Green Jackets were also deployed to capture Niah, in Sarawak, approximately 40 miles south-west of Miri and towards the South China sea coast.Van Der Bijl, p. 162 HMS Tiger continued to

Labuan Labuan (), officially the Federal Territory of Labuan (), is an island federal territory of Malaysia. It includes and six smaller islands off the coast of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. Labuan's capital is Victoria, which is best kno ...

where the remainder of 1st Green Jackets and vehicles disembarked.Van Der Bijl, p. 159 Following the capture of Bekenu and Niah, HMS Albion's helicopters were used to transport troops into positions to prevent rebels using escape routes along rivers into the hinterland. 1st Green Jackets were flown to Seria and took part in operations between Seria and Tutong. The regiment returned to Minden Barracks, Penang, in April 1963. The regiment was redesignated as a rifle regiment in June 1963 to conform to the rest of the Green Jackets Brigade. On 24 June 1963, at Cathay cinema, Penang, members of the regiment were invited to a free showing of the film The Longest Day (1962): which included the coup de main operation by D Company, 2nd Ox and Bucks (the 52nd), to capture

Pegasus Bridge Pegasus Bridge, originally called the Bénouville Bridge after the neighbouring village, is a road crossing over the Caen Canal, between Caen and Ouistreham in Normandy. The original bridge, built in 1934, is now a war memorial and is the c ...

and Horsa Bridge in the opening minutes of D-Day, 6 June 1944, before the main

Normandy landings The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allies of World War II, Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and ...

began. The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) second operational tour in the Far East was from August 1963 to mid-December 1963 and troops having sailed on were deployed via

to Brunei and Sarawak. In January 1964, the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) became the spearhead battalion to support the Borneo Territories and Lieutenant Colonel David House took over command of the regiment.The Gorget. 1964, p. 8. In May 1964, the regiment was deployed for its final operational tour in the Borneo territories and was based mainly in the

Kuching Kuching ( , ), officially the City of Kuching, is the capital and the most populous city in the States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is also the capital of Kuching Division. The city is on the Sarawak Ri ...

District of Sarawak. The regiment worked closely with the RAF who used Whirlwind and Belvedere helicopters and was deployed over 40 miles along the border with

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

and the regiment defended against many enemy attacks. In July 1964, the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Gerald Lathbury visited the regiment at Semengo Camp, Kuching and at the regiment's forward operating bases. The regiment returned to Penang at the end of October 1964. The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) was the only British Army unit to complete three operational tours in the area and was deployed throughout the North Borneo and Sarawak territories. In December 1964 the regiment left Penang for the UK.

West Berlin

The regiment deployed to

in March 1965 during the

Cold War The Cold War was a period of global Geopolitics, geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist Eastern Bloc, which lasted from 1947 unt ...

with the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

. The regiment was stationed at Montgomery barracks in the district of Kladow; the

Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall (, ) was a guarded concrete Separation barrier, barrier that encircled West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and the East Germany, German Democratic Republic (GDR; East Germany). Construction of the B ...

bordered the perimeter of the barracks. On 27 May 1965, during the first visit made by a British Monarch to

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

since 1913

inspected the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), as part of the Berlin Infantry Brigade. In West Berlin, the regiment's tasks included taking its turn in guard duties at Spandau Prison; where leading

Nazi war criminals The following is a list of people who were formally indicted for committing war crimes or crimes against humanity on behalf of the Axis powers during World War II, including those who were acquitted or never received judgement. It does not inc ...

were imprisoned following the Nuremberg Trials. 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) officers took their turn in commanding " The Berliner:" a British military train which went daily from

Braunschweig Braunschweig () or Brunswick ( ; from Low German , local dialect: ) is a List of cities and towns in Germany, city in Lower Saxony, Germany, north of the Harz Mountains at the farthest navigable point of the river Oker, which connects it to the ...

and back crossing into West Berlin at Wannsee and the Journey terminated at

Charlottenburg Charlottenburg () is a Boroughs and localities of Berlin, locality of Berlin within the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. Established as a German town law, town in 1705 and named after Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, Queen consort of Kingdom ...

railway station. The rail Journey from West Berlin along the corridor through

East Germany East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

West Germany West Germany was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from its formation on 23 May 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990. It is sometimes known as the Bonn Republi ...

and back made from 1945 to 1991 was part of the agreement on Allied rights in Germany following the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. In September 1965, Lieutenant Colonel, later Brigadier Oliver Pratt, who had been commissioned into the Rifle Brigade at the end of the

took over command of the regiment. Following his commission into the Rifle Brigade he later transferred to the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He had been second-in-command of the 2nd Green Jackets, Kings Royal Rifle Corps prior to taking over command of the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Pratt was to be the last Commanding Officer of the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) and the first Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion The

Royal Green Jackets The Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) was an infantry regiment of the British Army, one of two "large regiments" within the Light Division (the other being The Light Infantry). History The Royal Green Jackets was formed on 1 January 1966 by the amalgam ...

. On 1 January 1966, whilst in West Berlin, the regiment amalgamated with the two other regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade to form the three battalion

, the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) becoming the 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets. On 25 July 1992 the battalion was disbanded at

Osnabrück Osnabrück (; ; archaic English: ''Osnaburg'') is a city in Lower Saxony in western Germany. It is situated on the river Hase in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest. With a population of 168 ...

. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets based at

Omagh Omagh (; from , meaning 'the virgin plain') is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers River Drumragh, Drumragh and Camowen River, Camowen meet to form the River Strule, Strule. Northern Ireland's c ...

was renamed the 1st Battalion and the 3rd Battalion based at

Dover Dover ( ) is a town and major ferry port in Kent, southeast England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies southeast of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. ...

was renamed the 2nd Battalion. On 1 February 2007, the 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets became the 2nd Battalion,

The Rifles The Rifles is an infantry regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of four Regular battalions and three Reserve battalions. Each Regular battalion was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the ...

Regimental museum

The regimental collection is held by the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum which is based at Peninsula Barracks in

Colonel Commandants

* Major General Sir John Winterton 1958-1960 * General Sir Gerald Lathbury 1961-1965

Commanding officers

*Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Martin 1958-1959 *Lieutenant Colonel Michael Harbottle 1959-1962 *Lieutenant Colonel Tod Sweeney 1962-1964 *Lieutenant Colonel David House 1964-1965 *Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Pratt 1965

References

Sources

* *