The Queen's Westminsters
Encyclopedia
The Queen's Westminsters was a regiment
of the British
Territorial Army (TA).
), The London Regiment and the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles), The London Regiment.
In 1922 it became the 16th London Regiment (Queen's Westminster and Civil Service Rifles). In 1937 it was transferred to the King's Royal Rifle Corps
, being renamed as The Queen's Westminsters.
had invaded Poland
-- the British Empire
, France
, and their Allies declared war on Germany, beginning the Second World War.
The original Westminsters became the 1st Battalion after a duplicate battalion was raised in 1939. The following year it was converted to a motor battalion. In 1941 the 1st Battalion was re-titled as the 11th (Queen's Westminsters) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, and the 2nd, the 12th (Queen's Westminsters) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.
The Westminsters saw extensive service during the war. The 11th Westminsters, as part of the British 24th Armoured Brigade
, saw service in North Africa
in 1942, taking part in the Allied offensive during the Second Battle of El Alamein
(23 November-3 October) against Erwin Rommel
's Afrika Korps
; it was the first Allied victory against Germany on land, and Prime Minister Churchill
summed up the importance of the battle with the words '"now this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." The Regiment took part in the subsequent advance after the Germans and Italians went into full-retreat in North Africa.
The 11th Westminsters moved to Sicily
the following year, taking part in the campaign on the Italian island—begun on 10 July 1943. It later moved to the Italian mainland itself, remaining there into 1944. In December 1944 the Westminsters took part in the operations to quell a Communist uprising in the Greek
capital of Athen
s, which was successfully quelled, and a cease-fire was signed on 11 January 1945.
The 12th Westminsters, having remained in the UK since the war began, took part in the Battle of Normandy
in 1944, forming part of the British 8th Armoured Brigade
. It saw extensive service in France, including action at Rauray on 26 June and at Mont Pincon
and during the advance east to the Seine
, which was crossed in late August. The battalion subsequently crossed the Somme
-- scene of carnage during WWI
, which the Westminsters predecessors had experienced. It later took part in the liberation of Lille
in early September, experiencing a welcoming reception by the inhabitants of the large town. Shortly afterwards, the 12th took part in the advance into Belgium
, taking part in, among others, the capture of Oostham. The 12th Westminsters saw further service in the Netherlands
and when VE Day came on 8 May, were in Germany itself.
Notable soldiers in the Westminsters during WWII include the journalist Bill Deedes
who served in the North-West Europe campaign, and was awarded the Military Cross
, the actor Ian Carmichael (though, according to his obituary in The Times, Carmichael served in the 22nd Dragoons), and Lord Killanin, the former President of the International Olympic Committee
.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Territorial Army (TA).
History
It was formed on 31 December 1921 as the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster and Civil Service Rifles), The London Regiment by the amalgamation of the 15th (County of London) Battalion (Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service RiflesPrince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles
The Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles were a regiment in the Volunteer Force and Territorial Force of the British Army from 1798 to 1921; they saw active service in the Boer War and World War I...
), The London Regiment and the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles), The London Regiment.
In 1922 it became the 16th London Regiment (Queen's Westminster and Civil Service Rifles). In 1937 it was transferred to the King's Royal Rifle Corps
King's Royal Rifle Corps
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was a British Army infantry regiment, originally raised in colonial North America as the Royal Americans, and recruited from American colonists. Later ranked as the 60th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served for more than 200 years throughout the British Empire...
, being renamed as The Queen's Westminsters.
Second World War
On 3 September 1939—two days after GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
had invaded Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
-- the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and their Allies declared war on Germany, beginning the Second World War.
The original Westminsters became the 1st Battalion after a duplicate battalion was raised in 1939. The following year it was converted to a motor battalion. In 1941 the 1st Battalion was re-titled as the 11th (Queen's Westminsters) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, and the 2nd, the 12th (Queen's Westminsters) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.
The Westminsters saw extensive service during the war. The 11th Westminsters, as part of the British 24th Armoured Brigade
British 24th Armoured Brigade
- History :The 24th Armoured Brigade was converted from the 24th Army Tank Brigade on 1 November 1940. It served with the British 10th Armoured Division and the British 8th Armoured Division in the Eighth Army during the Western Desert Campaign...
, saw service in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
in 1942, taking part in the Allied offensive during the Second Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
(23 November-3 October) against Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
's Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
; it was the first Allied victory against Germany on land, and Prime Minister Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
summed up the importance of the battle with the words '"now this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." The Regiment took part in the subsequent advance after the Germans and Italians went into full-retreat in North Africa.
The 11th Westminsters moved to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
the following year, taking part in the campaign on the Italian island—begun on 10 July 1943. It later moved to the Italian mainland itself, remaining there into 1944. In December 1944 the Westminsters took part in the operations to quell a Communist uprising in the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
capital of Athen
Athen
Athen may refer to:* Athens, capital of Greece - Athen in German, Norwegian, and Danish* SS Athen , German merchant ship lost off Portland Bill in the English Channel in 1906, and now a dive site....
s, which was successfully quelled, and a cease-fire was signed on 11 January 1945.
The 12th Westminsters, having remained in the UK since the war began, took part in the Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
in 1944, forming part of the British 8th Armoured Brigade
British 8th Armoured Brigade
The 8 Armoured Brigade was a British Army brigade, formed in August 1941 during the Second World War and active until 1956. The brigade was formed by the re-designation of 6th Cavalry Brigade when the 1st Cavalry Division based in Palestine , converted from a motorised formation to an armoured...
. It saw extensive service in France, including action at Rauray on 26 June and at Mont Pincon
Mont Pinçon
Mont Pinçon is the highest point of the département of Calvados, in Normandy, with an elevation of . It is in the west of Swiss Normandy about to the south-west of Caen, near the village of Plessis-Grimoult....
and during the advance east to the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
, which was crossed in late August. The battalion subsequently crossed the Somme
Somme
Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
-- scene of carnage during WWI
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, which the Westminsters predecessors had experienced. It later took part in the liberation of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
in early September, experiencing a welcoming reception by the inhabitants of the large town. Shortly afterwards, the 12th took part in the advance into Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, taking part in, among others, the capture of Oostham. The 12th Westminsters saw further service in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and when VE Day came on 8 May, were in Germany itself.
Notable soldiers in the Westminsters during WWII include the journalist Bill Deedes
Bill Deedes
William Francis Deedes, Baron Deedes, KBE, MC, PC, DL was a British Conservative Party politician, army officer and journalist; he is to date the only person in Britain to have been both a member of the Cabinet and the editor of a major daily newspaper, The Daily Telegraph.-Early life and...
who served in the North-West Europe campaign, and was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, the actor Ian Carmichael (though, according to his obituary in The Times, Carmichael served in the 22nd Dragoons), and Lord Killanin, the former President of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
.
Post-War
Shortly after the war, the TA was reconstituted and the 11th and 12th amalgamated to form, simply, The Queen's Westminsters. On 1 May 1961 it was amalgamated with Queen Victoria's Rifles, to form the Queen's Royal Rifles.Other information
- Honorary Colonels:
- Field Marshal HM King Edward VIIEdward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
(1921) - Sir Edward Geoffrey Hippisley-Cox CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
TDTerritorial DecorationThe Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
DLDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(1939) - Major Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon and Viscount Eden of Royal Leamington SpaAnthony EdenRobert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
KGOrder of the GarterThe Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1952)
- Field Marshal HM King Edward VII
Battle honours
- Second World War:
- North-West Europe: Mont PinconMont PinçonMont Pinçon is the highest point of the département of Calvados, in Normandy, with an elevation of . It is in the west of Swiss Normandy about to the south-west of Caen, near the village of Plessis-Grimoult....
, Roer, RhinelandRhinelandHistorically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
, KleveKleveKleve , is a town in the Lower Rhine region of northwestern Germany near the Dutch border and the River Rhine. From the 11th century onwards, Kleve was capital of a county and later a duchy...
, GochGochGoch is a town in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated close to the border with the Netherlands, approx. 12 km south of Kleve, and 27 km southeast of Nijmegen.-Cultural ties:...
, Rhine, North-West Europe 1944-45 - North Africa: El AlameinSecond Battle of El AlameinThe Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
, North Africa 1942North African campaignDuring the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had... - Italy: Italy 1943-44Italian Campaign (World War II)The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
- Other: AthensAthensAthens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece 1944-45Greek Civil WarThe Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
- North-West Europe: Mont Pincon