The Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry

The 1st Battalion The Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry served at Osnabruck until June 1961, when it moved, by way of Plymouth to Gibraltar. It is interesting to note that as Barrymore’s (13th) Foot and Fox’s Marines, the two parent regiments first met (and shared the same battle honour) at Gibraltar. Gibraltar Day is now celebrated annually on 6th October as the Regimental Day of Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry. The old Regimental Days of Jellalabad, Lucknow and Paardeburg are still remembered, with short histories published in Battalion Orders.

Among the distinctions brought from its parent regiments, the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry has the Royal Blue Facings and Royal Bugle Cords of the Somerset Light Infantry, the red patch commemorating the red feathers of the Light Company of the 46th Foot (later the 2nd Battalion the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) and the privilege of wearing the sash knotted on the right side, a unique distinction usually associated with the gallantry of the 13th Foot at Culloden. The green head-dress, whistle cord and No 1 Dress Uniform are common to all Light Infantry Regiments. The parent Regiments were raised: in 1685 as Huntingdon’s Foot (now The Somerset Light Infantry), in 1702, as Fox’s Marines, and in 1740 as the 57th (later renumbered 46th)(1st and 2nd Battalions The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry). Their names remain the names of the two Territorial Army Battalions.

The 1st Battalion received Colours in May 1962 whilst stationed in Gibraltar, the Colours being presented on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen by Field Marshal The Lord Harding of Petherton. The 1st Battalion served in West Berlin, Gravesend and Aden before becoming part of the new Regiment in 1968.

In 1968.07.10 1st Battalion, the Light Infantry redesignated upon formation of “large” regiment from Light Infantry Brigade and within a month were moved to Ballykinler in NI on a pre-planned 2-year tour. The 9-year regiment 1st Bn SCLI was no more.