5th Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

The 5th Battalion The Queen's Royal West Kent Regiment was a territorial infantry unit of the British Army. The battalion was first formed in 1908 as a result of the formation of the Territorial Force, and through the re-designation of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the same regiment. The battalion was finally disbanded in 1947 after it amalgamated with the 4th battalion to form the 4th/5th Battalion.

Background
In 1907, Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane announced a series of reforms, which would effect mostly the Volunteers and Yeomanry. These two groups were merged to form the "Territorial Force". On 1 April 1908 the Territorial Force was born. These reforms formed fourteen divisions, fourteen mounted brigades, and coastal defence troops. As part of these reforms, all of the volunteer battalions were renamed loosing their "volunteer" title and gaining regional or regular titles.

Prewar
In 1908 the 1st Volunteer Battalion was re-designated as the 5th Battalion. As a result, the battalion lost their 'volunteer' title but kept their reserve volunteer role. After their re-designation, the battalion had the following structure;


 * Battalion Headquarters at East Street, Bromley
 * A Company in Bromley
 * B Company in Bromley
 * C Company in Dartford
 * D Company in Beckenham
 * E Company in Sidcup and Dartford
 * F Company in Chatham and Cliffe-at-Hoo
 * G Company in Chatham and Cliffe-at-Hoo
 * H Company in Swanley

Information

 * Cadet Affiliation, 1st Chatham Cadet Company, Royal Marine Light Infantry at Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham

Honourable Colonels;


 * 1920—1938 Colonel F A Frazer DSO TD
 * 1938—1945 Major F J F Edlmann DSO

Battle Honours;


 * South Africa 1900-02