Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia

The Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia was an English county Militia regiment of the British Army that was in existence from 1778 to 1881.

Purpose
Like all British county militia units (formed in the 18th and 19th Centuries) the purpose of the unit was to act as a territorially based force of able bodied men to serve in Sussex and in time of war would report for duty such as defending against invasion by the French. They were not supposed to serve overseas, although the county militias acted as feeder units for officers and recruits to the regular army in times of need.

Insignia
In common with many British infantry regiments who styled themselves as light infantry the Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia included the coiled huntsman's bugle in their unit insignia. In the case of the soldier's Victorian Bell-Top Shako badge it took the form of a standard Victorian crowned eight pointed star, with a central detail of a silver enamel Garter Star, in common with the regular regiment's cap badge, but surrounded by a light infantry bugle all atop a ribbon title with the words "Royal Sussex" inscribed. This combination of details and themes was continued on officer's cap badges.

Unit history


The Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia was formed in March 1778 and had strong association with the Dukes of Richmond. The unit is recorded as having a recruiting and garrison association with Chichester  and its Royal and Regimental colours were laid up in Chichester Cathedral on the unit's dissolution in 1881, as part of the Childers Reforms. The unit had a full compliment on officers in 1880.

In 1881 the unit was absorbed by The Royal Sussex Regiment, becoming the regiment’s 3rd Battalion. As such the unit’s personnel would have served in South Africa in 1901-1902 during the Second Boer War and 16 members of the battalion would die in South Africa. Members of the 3rd Battalion who died in the Second Boer War are commerated on a war memorial (along with others of the Royal Sussex Regiment) in Brighton.

In 1908 further reorganisation of the British Army took place (the Haldane Reforms) and all militia infantry units were designated as training depots for county infantry regiments and the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, became a Special Reserve battalion. During the First World War the Battalion (then stationed at Newhaven) trained recruits for service with the active service battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment. At the end of the war the 3rd Battalion (in 1919) was effectively wound down becoming a Supplementary Reserve unit and its personnel absorbed into the regular 1st Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Battle honours
South Africa 1900-02 - as the 3rd Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment

Regimental museum
The Royal Sussex Regiment Museum and that of its militia units is based at Eastbourne Redoubt in Sussex.