4th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

The 4th Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment was an infantry unit of the British Army's Territorial Force. The battalion's predecessor was the 1st Kent Rifles, but this will not be covered here, the battalion from 1908 and after will be shown here.

Pre-War
In 1908 following the Haldane Reforms, the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment was renamed and reduced to become the 4th Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. After this, the battalion was transferred into the new Territorial Force with its HQ in Tonbridge. In 1909 the 4th, 5th, and Kent Cyclist Battalions were the only territorial units of the regiment. After this change, the battalion was placed under the new formed Kent Infantry Brigade, itself within the Home Counties Division.

Just before World War I, the battalion had the following structure;


 * Battalion Headquarters at Tonbridge Drill Hall
 * Honourable Colonel C S Williams VD
 * Battalion Colonel C N Watney TD
 * Band of the 4th Battalion under the Instructor of Music, Captain A R Leksey
 * A Company
 * B Company
 * C Company
 * D Company

World War I
After mobilising for the war, the battalion was split, and eventually formed 3 other full battalions, totally 4 Territorial duplicates of the original 4th. Each battalion will be shown separately.

1/4th Battalion
The 1/4th Battalion originated as the former 4th Battalion based in Tonbirgde. During this time, the battalion was part of the Kent Brigade within the Home Counties Division. On the 30th of October, the battalion moved to India where they would remain for the rest of the war. After moving, the Home Counties division was broken up and the battalion moved to Bombay, joining the Jubbulpore Brigade within the 5th (Mhow) Division.

In February 1918 the battalion joined the 3rd (Quetta) Brigade in the 4th (Quetta) Division. The battalion was finally demobilised in 1918 and later reformed in 1920 as the 4th Battalion,

2/4th Battalion
The 2/4th Battalion was formed following the duplication of the former 4th Battalion. After forming, the battalion was based along the 1/4th battalion in tonbridge. In November that year, the battalion moved to Ascot, and joined the 2nd Kent Brigade within the 2nd Home Counties Division. After joining the brigade, the battalion moved their HQ and an additional company to form the Kent Composite Battalion.

By 24 April 1915, the the unit was transferred to the 160th Brigade within the 53rd (Welsh) Division in Cambridge. By 14 June 1915 the battalion was renamed, to their former title as the 2/4th Battalion, and moved to Bedford.

On 20 July 1915 the battalion set sail from Southampton and landed at Suvla Bay on the 10th of August. This landing was part of the Gallipoli Campaign. By the 13th of December, the battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt. After moving to Egypt, on 25 August 1918 the battalion was removed from the division and disbanded on the 13th of September that same year, still in Egypt.

During their time in Egypt, the battalion served during the following battles; Battle of Romani, First Battle of Gaza, Second Battle of Gaza, Third Battle of Gaza, Capture of Tell Khuweilfe, Defence of Jerusalem, and finally the Battle of Tell'Asur.

3/4th Battalion
The 3/4th Battalion was formed on the 14th of June, 1915 from the remaining portion of the 2/4th Battalion which had not been separated to form the Kent Composite Battalion.

On 1 July 1917 the battalion landed at Le Havre, France and was temporarally attached to the 1st South African Brigade within the 9th (Scottish) Division. The battalion later moved to the 103rd Brigade of the 34th Division. By 22 June, the battalion was transferred to the 51st Brigade within the 17th (Northern) Division. From the 12th of July to the 2nd of August, the battalion acted as the divisional pioneer battalion within the same division.

After their short time as a pioneer battalion, the unit moved to the 52nd Brigade, still within the 17th (Northern) Division as an infantry unit. Finally on 20 February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France.

4/4th Battalion
The 4/4th Battalion was formed in July 1915, and immediately moved to Cambridge. By 8 April 1915 the battalion moved to Crowborough and renamed as the 4th Reserve Battalion. Finally on 1 September 1916 the battalion absorbed the 5th Reserve Battalion and moved to Tunbridge Wells by October 1916. The battalion was finally disbanded in 1918.

Affiliations and Other Information
Cadet Affiliation


 * The Westerham and Chipstead Cadet Corps

Battle Honours


 * "South Africa, 1900-02."

Honorary Colonels


 * 1906—1926 Colonel C S Williams VD
 * 1926—1939 Colonel Humphrey Ingram Robinson TD
 * 1939—1947 Colonel William Nash MBE TD