Royal Regiment of Scotland?

Question

Hello, I have a pre-Selection interview with this fine body of men next week.

Now all the old Regiments have been amalgamated in to the RR of S, they have become Battalions (for example the Black Watch is 3 Battalion).

My question is, if and when I am accepted, how do you get assigned to a Battalion, and would you still say, 'I'm in the Black Watch,', for instance, or, 'I'm in the Royal Regiment of Scotland,'?

Please help a newbie understand how all these changes work!

Answer 1

Hi mate, speaking as an ex member of the 1st Battalion, the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Regiment I would have to say I would always refer to myself as Black Watch. We were, after all, the only ROYAL Highland regiment in the British Army! Bugger them if they don't like it-be very very proud of your unit.

Answer 2

Sadley the british Army is starting to lose it's identity. Names such as 'The Black Watch and The Green Howards' have now been replaced by 'The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Yorkshire Regiment'. It's little wonder Politics hasn't gone American on us and started calling them the 1st Infantry Regiment etc...

However, Amaligmations have been going on for years. The PWRR were once 'The Queens Regiment and The Royal Hampshire Regiment' who were formed from a collection of other local Regiments.

In answer to your question I would keep the names alive as much as possible. Without there history, regiments lose a little something to be proud of and to fight for.

Answer 3

Hello Davey,

Having served in the Army and recently seen my old Regiment, The 1st Battalion The Devonshire & Dorset Regt, amalgamated and renamed, I was very saddened as I am sure all soldiers who see their beloved Regiments disappear.

When I joined the Army my Division (Wessex) was split into 4, The D&D's, DERR, Hamps & Gloucesters and I was allowed to choose which of these Regts I wanted to join.

I suspect you will be given the same choice provided there are vacancies in the Regt you wish to join.

As far as what you should call the Regt you join, you will probably find that the soldiers in that Regt will still call themselves by their old title as they will be proud of the history of their Regt. As time goes by though it is likely that the old names will sadly fade into memory and the new names will feature most prominently.

Even after a good many years I still consider myself as a D&D man even though it no longer exists. We used to be referred to as 'The Devonshire Dumplings'

Be guided by how your fellow comrades call themselves in the Regt you join.

The very, very best of luck with your career and I hope you have great life in the Army

John
(Poseidon)