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in: Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, 1966 in the United Kingdom, British Armed Forces, Defence white papers

1966 Defence White Paper

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The 1966 Defence White Paper (Command Papers 2592 and 2901) was a major review of the United Kingdom's defence policy initiated by the Labour government under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. The review was led by the Secretary of State for Defence, Denis Healey. The document was centred on the need to support NATO in Europe and made the commitment that the UK, "would not undertake major operations of war except in co-operation with allies."[1] The 1966 announcements undertook to retain the UK presence in Singapore and Malaysia.

However, the mid-late sixties brought an economic crisis and the devaluation of pound sterling. In 1967 and 1968 the government published two further supplements to the review, announcing the strategic withdrawal of British forces deployed East of Suez. This marked a watershed in British foreign policy and the end of a major, enduring world-wide military role.

Contents[]

The Wilson Government decided on significant reductions in the defence budget, with defence being the primary target of the government's efforts to reduce public spending due to wider economic problems. The outcome of the Review resulted in cutting a number of significant new capital projects, including the CVA-01 aircraft carrier and most of the Type 82 destroyers. This was to be part of a phased removal of aircraft carrier capability. Instead, investment would be made in aircraft including the Harrier, the Anglo-French AFVG (which later came to fruition as the Panavia Tornado) and the American F-111 bomber (the latter following the cancellation of the TSR-2 program).

In order to concentrate forces in Europe in support of NATO, the review also recommended withdrawal of the British presence in Aden. The 1967 supplement added accelerated withdrawals from Singapore, Malaysia, Malta, Libya and the Persian Gulf, reversing the election commitment to retaining an East of Suez military role.[1] The 1968 supplement additionally cancelled the order for the F-111.

Inter-Service Rivalry and the Defence Budget[]

In the early 1960s, the Royal Navy began to plan for new aircraft carriers to replace its aging fleet. The Royal Air Force saw the renewal as a chance to win the budget share which would have been necessary for new carriers. The RAF compiled a history of Royal Navy aircraft carriers and a history of Royal Air Force tactical bombers, comparing the two and finding in favour of bombers. They then submitted this to the Treasury, proposing the TSR-2 tactical strike aircraft in place of the RN's new generation aircraft carriers. Professor Andrew Lambert has described the 1966 Defence White Paper as the 'perfect example of what happens if your enemy knows your history better than you do',[2] with the RAF's projects doing better in the 1966 review than the Royal Navy's.

Dr. Jeffrey Bradford, Research Director of the United Kingdom Defence Forum wrote a paper as part of a doctoral research program covering in detail the inter-service rivalry surrounding the procurement effort for the CVA-01 against the backdrop of the defence reviews of the mid 1960s UKDF Grey Paper 109.

Implementation[]

All British forces were withdrawn from Aden by the end of November 1967, despite the ongoing Aden Emergency.[3] Along with the withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, this left bases in Oman as the only UK installations in the Middle East by the mid-seventies. The final installations, the RAF bases at Salalah and on Masirah Island, closed in 1976 following the end of the Dhufar rebellion.[4]

In the Far East, the bulk of British forces left Singapore following a ceremony involving 20 ships including aircraft carrier HMS Hermes in October 1971. Security for Singapore and Malaysia was partially handed to Australian and New Zealand forces as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which are still in place today.[5] The British Far East Command was terminated on 31 October 1971, although a smaller British presence remained in the area until 1976. British forces also remained based in Hong Kong and Brunei.

Both the F-111 order and the AFVG bombers were later cancelled, although the latter evolved into the Panavia Tornado, which was delivered in 1979 and was still in service with the RAF in 2018. One Type 82 Destroyer was built, HMS Bristol, as a test-bed for new technologies. No new large aircraft carriers were built, although naval aviation continued with the construction of smaller Invincible-class aircraft carriers during the 1970s.

TAVR[]

A complete reorganisation announced in the 1966 Defence White Paper from 1 April 1969, when the title Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve (TAVR) was adopted, that abolished the former regimental and divisional structure of the TA. Units in the new TAVR were divided into four categories:

  • The Volunteers - units given designation of (V)
    • Special Army Volunteer Reserve - TAVR I - 'Ever Readies', 6 battalions ready for UN Duty, bringing the regular army to war establishment and replace casualties.
      • TAVR IA (Independent units)
      • TAVR IB (Sponsored)
      • Individuals from TAVR IA & IB
    • TAVR II - forces called 'The Volunteers'
      • TAVR IIA (Independent) - ie: 51st Highland Volunteers
      • TAVR IIB (Sponsored)
  • The Territorials - TAVR III
    • TAVR III (Independent), - units are given (T) designation, mostly cadres, maintaining law and order in the event of nuclear attack and were available for home defence, service, and help in case of emergencies
  • TAVR (Sponsored) - University OTC (UOTC), bands, and miscellaneous units.

TAVR I and II units were known as "Volunteers", and those in TAVR III as "Territorials". These terms were often incorporated into the unit titles.

TAVR units shown here are only those shown to 1970, from when the TAVR was re-organised into the TA.

Changes by Corps[]

Those units below are the units who had training. If a regiment had no changes, it will not be shown, that can be seen at: List of British Army Regiments (1972).

Royal Corps of Signals[]

Regular Army[]

  • 5th Divisional Headquarters and Signal Regiment reformed 1968 but never reached full establishment due to Operation Banner
  • 8th Signal Regiment absorbed 24th Signal Regiment
  • 15th Signal Regiment disbanded
  • 17th Gurkha Signal Regiment disbanded
  • 18th Signal Regiment disbanded
  • 19th Signal Regiment (Air Support) disbanded
  • 24th Signal Regiment absorbed into 8th Signal Regiment
  • Junior Leaders Regiment amalgamated into AAC Harrogate
  • HQ Royal Signals, Hong Kong expanded to form 27th Signal Regiment

Volunteers (V)[]

All TA units are reduced from their former regiment, which bore the same regiment.

Royal Armoured Corps[]

Regular Army[]

Volunteers (V)[]

Territorials (T)[]

No Affiliation/Mixed[]

Following the 1967 Re-organisation of the TAVR, many units were mixed artillery/infantry and cavalry/infantry. Here all mixed units will be shown, it is worth noting even if a unit has an artillery name, that doesn't mean that it was equipped as such, all TAVR III (T) were infantry, but special trained in these roles as such.

Infantry[]

Regular Army[]

Volunteers (V)[]

Territorials (T)[]

  • Scottish Division (covering Scotland)
    • 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Stirling, sponsored by 51st Highland Volunteers also formed No.3 (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Company, 51st Highland Volunteers at Dumbarton and Campbeltown)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Stirling (from 7th Btn of that regt)
      • A Company, in Grangemouth (from 7th Btn of that regt)
      • B Company, in Dumbarton (from 8th (The Argyllshire) Btn of that regt)
      • C Company, in Lochgilphead (from 8th (The Argyllshire) Btn of that regt)
    • 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Dundee, sponsored by 51st Highland Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Dundee (from 4th/5th (Dundee and Angus) Btn, of that regt)
      • A Company, in Arbroath (from 4th/5th (Dundee and Angus) Btn, of that regt)
      • B Company, in Kirkcaldy (from 6th/7th (Perthshire and Fife) Btn of that regt)
      • C Company, in Dunfermline (from 6th/7th (Perthshire and Fife) Btn of that regt)
    • 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Aberdeen without change of title, sponsored by 51st Highland Volunteers, less some personnel to D Co, 51st Highland Volunteers which formed Pln at Keith)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Aberdeen
      • A (Royal Engineer) Company, in Aberdeen (from a Sqn of 51st (Scottish) Division/District Engineers)
      • B Company, in Peterhead
      • C Company, in Keith
    • 4th/5th (Territorial) Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Dumfries sponsored by 52nd Lowland Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Dumfries
      • A Company, in Galashiels
      • B Company, in Stranraer
    • 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre without change of title at Inverness, sponsored by 51st Highland Volunteers, also forming No.1 (Lovat Scouts) Company at Kirkwall and platoon at Lerwick, No.2 (Queen's Own Highlanders) Company at Fort William, and platoon at Stornoway in 51st Highland Volunteers)
    • 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Glasgow without change of title, sponsored by 52nd Lowland Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Ayr
      • A (4th/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers) Company, in Ayr (from 4th/5th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers)
      • B (5th/6th Highland Light Infantry) Company, in Glasgow (from 5th/6th Btn, The City of Glasgow Regiment (Royal Highland Light Infantry))
      • C (1st Glasgow Highlanders) Company, in Glasgow (from Glasgow Highlanders Btn, The City of Glasgow Regiment (Highland Light Infantry))
    • The Royal Scots and Cameronian Territorials (1 April 1969 reduced to two cadres: 8th/9th (T) Btn, Royal Scots in Edinburgh and 6th/7th (T) Btn, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in Hamilton, both sponsored by 52nd Lowland Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Edinbutgh
      • A (8th/9th Royal Scots) Company, in Bathgate (from 8th/9th Btn, Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment))
      • B (6th/7th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)) Company, in Hamilton (from amalgamation of HQ & C Companies, 6th/7th Btn, The Scottish Rifles (Cameronians))
  • Queen's Division (covering the counties of West Surrey, County of London, East Kent, West Kent, East Surrey, Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Central Lancashire, and Warwickshire)
    • The Essex Regiment (T) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Chelmsford as The Essex Regiment sponsorbed by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Anglian Regiment)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Ilford
      • A Company, in Ilford (from 4th/5th Btn, Essex Regiment)
      • B Company, in Ilford (from 4th/5th Btn, Essex Regiment)
    • 6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Queen's Surreys) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 6th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Queen's Surreys), sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Queen's Regiment, less some personnel to form platoons in Kingston upon Thames and Hounslow in A Co, 5th Btn)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Kingston upon Thames
      • A Company, in Kingston upon Thames (from 4th Btn, Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, 209 Field Park Sqn, RE, and parts of the Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters))
      • B Company, in Battersea (from B Co, 4th Btn, Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment)
      • C Company, in Cobham (from C Co, 4th Btn, Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment)
      • D Company, in Croydon (from 3rd Btn, Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment)
    • 7th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (East Kent) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 7th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (East Kent) at Folkestone, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Queen's Regiment, less some personnel to form platoons at Del and Folkestone in D Co, 5th Btn)
    • 8th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (West Kent) (from 4th/5th Queen's Own Royal West Kents, also 44th (Home Counties) Division/District Provost Company, RMP, 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RE, and 4th Btn, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) assisted in formation) (1 April 1969 re-organised as two units (and B Co at Broadstairs no longer in service as West Kent successor; E Co, 5th Btn Queen's Regt in Tonbridge/Maidstone, and 8th Battalion The Queen's Regiment (West Kent) cadre at Tonbridge, sponsored 5th (V) Btn, The Queen's Regiment)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Tonbridge (from 4th/5th Btn, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and part of P Bty, 265th LAD Regt, RA)
      • A (Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)) Company, in Madstone (from part of the Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters))
      • B (Queen's Own Buffs) Company, in Tonbridge (from 4th/5th Btn, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment)
      • C (The Medway Towns) Company, in Gillingham (from 4 Stores Co, RAOC and part of 133 Infantry Workshop, REME)
    • 9th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Royal Sussex) (from 4th/5th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment, also HQ 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RE and 559 Squadron, RCT also assisted in formation) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 9th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Royal Sussex) at Eastbourne, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, The Queen's Regiment, less some personnel to form platoon at Eastbourne in C Co, 5th Btn)
    • 10th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Middlesex) (from 5th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own, also 114th (1st London) Corps Engineer Regiment, RE and 254th (City of London) Fld Regt, RA also assisted in formation) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 10th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Middlesex) at Edgware, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Queen's Regiment, less some personnel to form platoon in Edgware in D Co, 5th Btn)
      • Battalion Headquarters in Edgware (from 5th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own))
      • A (Middlesex) Company, in Edgware (from 5th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own))
      • B (Middlesex) Company, in Acton (from 5th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own))
      • C (101st London Engineers) Company, in Hounslow (from 101st (London) Engineer Regiment, RE (222 (Chelsea) and 324 Fld Squadrons)
    • The Royal Leicestershire Regiment (T) (formed in TAVR III as successor to the TA units of the county of Leicestershire, from 4th/5th Battalion, Royal Leicestershire Regiment from part of 115 (Leicestershire) Field Park Sqn, RE) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Royal Leicestershire Regiment at Leicester, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Anglian Regiment)
      • Regiment Headquarters, in Leicester
      • A Company, in Leicester
      • B Company, in Lougborough
      • C Company, in Hinckley
    • The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment (T) (formed in TAVR III as successor to the TA units of the county of Lincolnshire, from 4th/6th Btn, Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and 863 (County of Lincoln) Movement Light Sqn, RE) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in Lincoln, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Anglian Regiment)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Lincoln
      • A Company, in Lincoln
      • B Company, in Gainsborough
      • C Company, in Boston
    • The Royal Norfolk Regiment (T) (formed in TAVR III as successor to the TA units of the county of Norfolk, from 4th Btn, Royal Norfolk Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Royal Norfolk Regiment in Norwich, under 5th (V) Btn, Royal Anglian Regiment)
      • Regimental Headquarters in Norwich
      • A Company, in Norwich
      • B Company in Great Yarmouth/Dereham
    • 4th/5th/6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th/5th/6th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in Newcastle, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Newcastle upon Tyne
      • A Company, in Newcastle upon Tyne (from 6th Btn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
      • B Company, in Newcastle upon Tyne (from 6th Btn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
      • C Company, in Hexham (from 4th/5th Btn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
      • D (Tyneside Scottish) Company, in Gosforth (from Q (Tyneside Scottish) Bty, in 439th (Tyne) LAD Regt, RA)
    • 7th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (from 7th Btn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and elements of the Northumberland Hussars) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre in Ashington, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, less some personnel to form E (Northumberland) Co, 5th (V) Btn, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Ashington and Alnwick)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Alnwick
      • B (Ashington) Company, in Ashington
      • C (Alnwick) Company, Alnwick
      • D (Berwick) Company, in Berwick upon Tyne
    • The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment (T) (formed in TAVR III as the successor to the TA units of the counties of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, from The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment at Ipswich, sponsored by 5th (V) Btn, Royal Anglian Regiment)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Ipswich
      • A (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Company, in Ipswich (from 308th (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Fld Regt, RA)
      • B Company, in Ipswich
      • C Company, in Leiston
      • D (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Company, in Swaffham (from 308th (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Fld Regt, RA)
  • King's Division (covering the counties of Merseyside, East Lancashire, North Lancashire, West Lancashire, Cumbria, Westmorland, Manchester, and Northern Ireland))
    • 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The Border Regiment (formed from 4th Btn, Border Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th Battalion, Border Regiment at Carlisle, sponsored by Lancastrian Volunteers (and artillery and yeomanry lineage ceased)
    • 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn, sponsored by 38th Signal Regiment, less some personnel to form 93 (East Lancashire) Signal Squadron in same regiment and E Company, Lancastrian Volunteers at Lancaster and Barrow in Furness, the latter efficiently losing its East Lancashire affiliation)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Blackburn
      • A (4th East Lancashire) Company, in Blackburn (from 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment)
      • B (The Lancashire Fusiliers) Company, in Rochdale (from part of 5th (Bury) Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers)
      • C (4th East Lancashire) Company, in Burnley (from 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment)
      • D (The Bolton Artillery) Company, in Bolton (from 253rd (The Bolton Artillery) Fld Regt, RA)
    • The Green Howards Territorials (from 4th/5th Btn, Green Howards and 252 GHQ Provost Company, RMP) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Scarborough, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers (some personnel to B Co of same regiment)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Middlesbrough
      • A (Cleveland) Company, in Guisborough
      • B (Teeside) Company, in Middlesbrough
      • C (Scarborough) Company, in Scarborough
    • The Hallamshire (Territorial) Battalion (from the Hallamshire Battalion of recently disbanded York and Lancaster Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Sheffield as The Hallamshire Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Sheffield
      • A Company, in Sheffield
      • B Company, in Rotherham
      • C Company, in Barnsley
    • 4th/5th (Territorial) Battalion, The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (from same battalion of that name) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th/5th Battalion, The King's Own Royal Regiment at Lancaster, sponsored by Lancastrian Volunteers, less some personnel of C Co, absorbed into D (Loyals) Co, Lancastrian Volunteers forming detachment at Blackpool, and some personnel of HQ, A, and B Cos to form E (King's Own) Co, Lancastrian Volunteers at Lancaster and Barrow in Furness)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Lancaster
      • A (4th/5th King's Own) Company, in Lancaster (from 4th/5th Btn, King's Own Royal Regt)
      • B (4th/5th King's Own) Company, in Barrow in Furness (from 4th/5th Btn, King's Own Royal Regt)
      • C (2nd West Lancashire) Company, in Blackpool (from 288th (2nd West Lancashire) LAD Regt, RA)
    • 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The King's Own South Yorkshire Light Infantry (from same unit of that title) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Wakefield, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Wakefield
      • A Company, in Wakefield
      • B Company, in Pontefract
      • C Company, in Dewsbury
    • The Leeds Rifles Territorials (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Leeds, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers, less some personnel to form E (Leeds Rifles) Company, Yorkshire Volunteers at Carlton Barracks, Leeds with detachment at Castleford (and A Co ceased to perpetuate Leeds Rifles))
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Leeds
      • A Company, in Leeds
      • B Company, in Leeds
      • C Company, in Castleford
    • The Manchester Regiment (Ardwick and Ashton) Territorials (from 8th and 9th Btns, Manchester Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 8th/9th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment at Manchester, sponsored by Lancastrian Volunteers)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Ardwick Green
      • A Company, in Ardwick Green (from 8th (Ardwick) Btn, Manchester Regiment)
      • B Company, in Ashton under Lyme (from 9th Btn, Manchester Regiment)
      • C Company, in Ashton under Lyme (from 9th Btn, Manchester Regiment)
    • The Prince of Wales's Own Yorkshire Territorials (from 3rd Btn, Prince of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 3rd Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire at Kingston upon Hull, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Kingston upon Hull
      • A Company, in Kingston upon Hull
      • B Company, in Kingston upon hull
      • C Company, in York
    • 5th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from same unit name & North Irish Horse) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Royal Irish Rangers) at Omagh, sponsored by North Irish Militia)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Omagh
      • A Company, in Enniskillen
      • B Company, in Duncannon
    • 5th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers (from same unit name and elements of North Irish Horse) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Royal Irish Rangers) at Armagh, sponsored by North Irish Militia)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Armagh
      • A Company, in Armagh
      • B Company, in Lurgan
    • 6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles (from same unit name and 661st (Ulster) Fld Regt, RA) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 6th Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles (Royal Irish Rangers) at Lisburn, sponsored by North Irish Militia)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Belfast
      • A Company, in Ballymena
      • B Company, in Lisburn
      • C Company, in Newtownards
    • The West Riding Territorials (from the West Riding Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The West Riding Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment at Huddersfield, sponsored by Yorkshire Volunteers)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Huddersfield
      • A Company, in Huddersfield
      • B Company, in Huddersfield
      • C Company, in Halifax
  • Prince of Wales's Division (Covering the counties of Devonshire, Gloucestershire, City and County of Bristol, Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Cheshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, and Wales)
    • 4th/7th (Territorial) Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment (from battalion of same name) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment at Macclesfield, sponsored by Mercian Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Macclesfield
      • A Company, in Macclesfield (from 7th Btn & 3 Squadron, 57th Signal Regt, RCS)
      • B Company, in Crewe (from 4th Btn)
      • C Company, in Ellesmere Port (from 4th Btn)
    • The Derbyshire (Territorial) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (formed in TAVR III as successor for the TA units in Derbyshire) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Chesterfield without change of title, sponsored by 73 Engineer Regt, also formed 575 (The Sherwood Foresters) Fld Sqn, 73 Engineer Regt, RE)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Chesterfield
      • A Company, in Chesterfield
      • B Company, in Derby (from 140th (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) Engineer Regt, RE ( 438th (Derbyshire Artillery) and 575th (The Sherwood Foresters) Fld Sqns, RE))
      • C Company, in Derby (from a Coy of 5th/8th Btn, of that regiment in Derby)
    • The Monmouthshire (Territorial) Battalion, The South Wales Borderers (formed in TAVR III as the successor to the 2nd Btn, Monmoutshire Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Monmouthshire Battalion, The South Wales Borderers at Newport, sponsored by Welsh Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Newport
      • 1st Monmouthshire Company, in Newport
      • 2nd Monmouthshire Company, in Cwmcarn
      • 3rd Monmouthshire Company, in Abertillery
    • The Nottinghamshire (Territorial) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (formed in TAVR III successor to the 5th/8th Btn, Sherwood Foresters) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Nottingham without change of title, sponsored by Mercian Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Nottingham
      • A Company, in Nottingham
      • B Company, in Sutton in Ashfield
      • C Company, in Worksop
    • The Robin Hood (Territorial) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (formed in TAVR III as successor of 350th (The Robin Hood Foresters) Fied Sqn, RE) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre at Nottingham, sponsored by 73 Engineer Regt, RE)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Nottingham
      • A Company, in Nottingham
      • B Company, in Mancsfield
    • 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers (formed in TAVR III as successor to 4th Btn, Royal Welch Fusiliers) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers at Wrexham, sponsored by Welsh Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Wrexham
      • A Company, in Mold
      • B Company, in Wrexham
    • 6th/7th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers (formed in TAVR III as successor to 6th/7th Btn, Royal Welch Fusiliers) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 6th/7th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers at Caernarvon, sponsored by Welsh Volunteers, also formed D (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Co, Welsh Volunteers at Caernarvon and Aberrystwyth)
      • Battalion Headquarters in Caernarvon
      • A Company, in Caernarvon
      • B Company, in Aberystwyth
      • C Company, in Caernarvon
    • 5th/6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's) (formed in TAVR III as successor to 5th/6th Btn, Staffordshire Regiment, also 444th (Staffordshire) LAD Regt, RA, The Staffordshire Yeomanry (Queen's Own Royal Regiment), 5 Stores Co, RAOC, 20 Vehicle Co, RAOC, and 887 Locating Battery, RA, also assisted in formation) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 5th/6th Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment at Walsall, sponsored by Mercian Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Wolverhampton
      • A (South Stafford) Company, in Rugeley
      • B (South Stafford) Company, in Walsall (from 5th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment)
      • C (North Stafford) Company, in Stoke-on-Trent (from 5th/6th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment)
    • 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The Welch Regiment (formed in TAVR III as succssor to 4th Btn, Welch Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 4th Battalion, Welch Regiment at Llanelli sponsored by 157th (The Welsh) Regiment, RCT, less A Co re-organised as 224 (Pembroke Yeomanry) Squadron, 157th (The Welsh) Regt, RCT)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Carmarthen
      • A (Pembroke Yeomanry) Company, in Haverfordwest (from Pembroke Yeomanry)
      • B Company, in Carmarthen
      • C Company, in Swansea
      • D Company, in Llanelli
    • 5th/6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Welch Regiment (formed in TAVR III as successor for 5th and 6th Btns, Welch Regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 5th/6th Battalion, Welch Regiment at Pontypridd, sponsored by Welsh Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Pontypridd
      • A Company, in Cardiff (from 5th Btn, Welch Regiment)
      • B Company, in Bridgend (from 6th Btn, Welch Regiment)
  • Light Division (Covering the counties of Somerset, Cornwall, South Yorkshire, Shropshire, Durham, and London)
    • The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (T) (formed as TAVR III successor for TA units in Cornwall) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry at Bodmin, sponsored by Light Infantry Volunteers)
      • Regimental Headquarters, in Bodmin
      • A (Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) Company, in Bodmin (from the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (T))
      • B (Cornwall Fortress Engineers) Company, in Falmouth (from 116th (Devon and Cornwall) Engineer Regt, RE (409 & 571 Fld Sqns))
    • 6th/8th (Territorial) Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry (formed as TAVR III successor from 6th and 8th Btns of that regiment) (1 April 1969 reduced to cadre as 6th/8th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry at Bishop Auckland, sponsored by The Light Infantry Volunteers, less some personnel to form E (Durham) Company, The Light Infantry Volunteers)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in Bishop Auckland
      • A Company, in Bishop Auckland
      • B Company, in Chester le Street (from 8th Btn)
      • C Company, in Spennymoor (from 6th Btn)
    • 5th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets (formed as TAVR III successor for TA units of London affiliated to regiment)
      • Battalion Headquarters, in London
      • A (Queen's Royal Rifles) Company, in London
      • B (London Rifle Brigade Rangers) Company, in West Ham

Royal Artillery[]

Regular Army[]

  • 6th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, S/A on 10 May 1968
  • 18th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, placed in S/A on 10 February 1969
  • 34th Light Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery, placed in S/A on 31 December 1969
  • 36th Heavy Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery, amalgamated with 37th Heavy Air Defence Regiment without change of title
  • 37th Heavy Air Defence Regiment amalgamated with and absorbed into 36th Heavy Air Defence Regiment

Volunteers (V)[]

Territorials (T)[]

Corps of Royal Engineers[]

Regiments[]

  • Royal Monmouthshire Militia Engineers (formed from the existing regiment, along with 43rd (Wessex) Division/District RE, 48th (South Midland) Division/District RE, and 53rd (Welsh) Division/District RE)
    • Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, at Monmouth Castle (from former regiment)
    • 100 Field Squadron (Militia), in Cwmbran/Bristol (from former regiment & 43rd (Wessex) Division/District RE)
    • 108 (Welsh) Field Squadron (Militia), in Swansea/Cardiff (from former regiment, 53rd (Welsh) Division/District RE and elements of Glamorgan Fortress Engineers)
    • 225 (City of Birmingahm) Field Squadron (Militia), in Oldbury (from 48th (South Midland) Division/District RE)
  • 71st (Scottish) Engineer Regiment (formed from amalgamation of 51st (Highland) Division/District RE, 52nd (Lowland) Division/District RE, 80th (Scottish) Port Regiment, RCT, and 432nd (City of Edinburgh) Corps Engineer Regt)
  • 72nd (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Engineer Regiment (formed from amalgamation of 50th (Northumbrian) Division/District RE and other smaller units in the area)
  • 74th (Antrim Artillery) Engineer Regiment (formed from amalgamation of 146th (Antrim Artillery) Corps Engineer Regt and 591 (Antrim) Independent Field Sqn, RE)
  • 75th Engineer Regiment (formed from 42nd (Lancashire and Cheshire) Division/District and 106th Corps Engineer Regt, RE)
    • Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, in Failsworth
    • 106 (West Riding) Field Squadron, in Sheffield (from 49th (North Midland/West Riding) Division/District RE)
    • 107 (Lancashire and Cheshire) Field Squadron, in Birkenhead/St Helens (from 107th (West Lancashire) Corps Engineer Regt and 113 (Cheshire) Field Sqn)
    • 202 Field Squadron, in Clifton/Preston (from 42nd (Lancashire and Cheshire) Division/District RE)
  • 111th Engineer Regiment (sponsoring some engineering units)
    • Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, in Camberley
    • 120 Field Squadron (sponsored)
    • 130 Field Squadron (sponsored)
    • 198 Field Park Squadron (sponsored)

Squadrons[]

  • 117 (Highland) Field Support Squadron, in Dundee (independent unit, formed from 51st (Highland) Division/District RE and 117th (Highland) Corps Engineer Regt)
  • 125 (Staffordshire) Field Support Squadron, in Stoke-on-Trent/Cannock (independent unit, from 125th (Staffordshire) Engineer Regt)
  • 131 Independent Parachute Squadron, in Kingsbury/Kingston upon Hull/Grangemouth/Birmingham (from 131st Engineer Regt)
  • 135 Field Survey Squadron, in Ewell (from 135th Survey Regt)
  • 143 Plant Squadron, in Walsall (independent unit, from 291 Plant Squadron)
  • 272 (West Riding) Field Support Squadron, in Bradford (from 129th (West Riding) Engineer Regt)

Royal Corps of Transport[]

New Corps formed on 15 July 1965 by union of transport functions from Royal Army Service Corps and Transportation and Movement Control Service of the Royal Engineers; RCT Fleet formed by amalgamation of RASC Fleet and RE Fleet.

Regiments[]

  • 150th (Northumbrian) Transport Regiment (from 150th (Northumbrian) Regiment)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Kingston upon hull
    • 216 (Tyne Tees) Squadron, in Tynemouth (From 50th (Northumbrian) Division Regt)
    • 217 (Yorkshire) Squadron, in Leeds (from 66th (Yorkshire) Regt and 103rd (West Riding) Regt)
    • 218 (East Riding) Squadron, in Kingston upon Hull (from 66th (Yorkshire) Regt and 150th (Northumbrian) Regt)
    • 219 (West Riding) Squadron, in Doncaster (from 49th Regiment and 103rd (West Riding) Regt)
  • 151st (Greater London) Transport Regiment (from 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RASC, 54th (East Anglian) Division/District RASC, and 105th (Essex) Regt)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Croydon
    • 210 Ambulance Squadron, in Redhill/Sutton/Croydon/Clapham (from 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RASC and 105th (Essex) Regt)
    • 215 (Essex) Squadron, in Grays/Leigh on Sea (from 54th (East Anglian) Division/District and 105th (Essex) Regt)
    • 240 (Hertfordshire) Tank Transporter Squadron, in Barnet/Hitchin/Slough (from 557th (Hertfordshire) Tank Transporters Sqn)
    • 562 Parachute Squadron, Southall/Dulwich (from 562nd (Middlesex) Parachute Sqn)
  • 152nd (Ulster) Transport Regiment (from 68th (Northern Ireland) Regt, 539 (Ulster) Supply Company, RAOC and 17 Supply Platoon, RAOC)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Belfast
    • 211 Squadron, in Belfast/Ballymena
    • 220 Squadron, in Londonderry
  • 153rd (Highland) Transport Regiment (from 433rd (Forth) Regt)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Dunfermline
    • 212 Ambulance Squadron, in Dundee/Aberdeen/Dunblance (from 51st (Highland) Division/District RASC)
    • 230 Squadron, in Edinburgh (From 52nd (Lowland) Division/District RASC and 69th (East Lowlands) Regt RASC)
    • 231 Squadron, in Dunfermline (from 433rd (Forth) Regt)
  • 154th (Lowland) Regiment (from 52nd (Lowland) Division/District RASC)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Glasgow
    • 221 Squadron, in Glasgow (from 528, 530, and 574 Sqns of division RASC)
    • 222 Squadron, in East Kilbride (from 264th (Scottish) Regt)
  • 155th (Wessex) Regiment (from 43rd (Wessex) Division/District RASC and 67th (Aldersot) Regt)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Taunton
    • 232 Squadron, in Plymouth/Tavistock (from 506 and 541 Ambulance Sqns)
    • 233 Squadron, in Southampton/Weymouth/Portsmouth (from 505 and 920 Sqns)
    • 245 Ambulance Squadron, in Bristol/Reading (from 928 Ambulance Sqn)
  • 156th (Lancashire and Cheshire) Regiment (from 22nd (Southport) Regt)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Liverpool
    • 234 (Cheshire) Squadron, in Birkenhead (from 102nd (Cheshire) Regt)
    • 235 (West Lancashire) Squadron, in Liverpool (from 22nd (Southport) Regt)
    • 236 (East Lancashire) Squadron, in Salford (from 42nd (East Lancashire) Division Regt RASC)
  • 157th (Wales and Midlands) Transport Regiment (from 53rd (Welsh) Division Regt RASC)
    • Regimental Headquarters, in Cardiff
    • 233 (South Wales) Squadron, in Swansea/Haverfordwest (Haverford west detachment from Pembrokeshire Yeomanry (Castlemartin), rest of sqn from 53rd (Welsh) Division Regt)
    • 237 (Midlands) Squadron, in West Bromwich/Stoke-on-Trent (from 48th (South Midland) Division Regt)
  • 160th Regiment (from 101st and 104th Regiments), in Grantham
  • 161st Transport Regiment, in Grantham
  • 162nd Movement Control Regiment, in Grantham (from 74 Movement Control and 75 Movement Control Regts)
  • 163rd Movement Control Regiment, in Grantham (from 72 and 73 Movement Control Regts)

Squadrons[]

  • 395 Air Despatch Troop (TAVR I)
  • 490 Movement Control Troop (TAVR II)
  • 562 Parachute Squadron (TAVR I)

Royal Army Ordnance Corps[]

Corps absorbed ordnance branch of Royal Army Service Corps.

  • 1 Stores Company, in Camberley (from 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RAOC and 4 Stores Company)
  • 44 Parachute Ordnance Field Park (Airportable), in London
  • 50 Ordnance Maintenance Park, in Leeds (from 49th (North Midland/West Riding) Division/District RAOC, 50th (Northumbrian) Division/District RAOC, 49, 50, and 55 Stores Companies)
  • 51 Ordnance Field Park, in Glasgow (from 51st (Highland) Division/District RAOC, 52nd (Lowland) Division/District RAOC, 51 Stores Company, 51 Ordnance Field Park, and 52 Stores Company)
  • 52 Transit Company, in Ormskirk (from 42nd (Lancashire and Cheshire) Division/District RAOC, 48th (South Midland) Division/District RAOC, 2 Stores, 5 Stores, and 20 Vehicle Company
  • 553 Supply Company, in Romford (From 44th (Home Counties) Division/District RAOC, 1 Stores Company, and 533 Supply Company)

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers[]

  • 9 Field Workshop Company, in Portsmouth
  • 118 Recovery Company, in Northampton/Leicester/Corby (from 49th (North Midland/West Riding) Division/District RCT)
  • 119 (Holywell) Recovery Company, in Prestayn
  • 124 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Recovery Company, in Newton Aycliffe
  • 126 Reclamation Company, in Coventry
  • 133 (Kent) Corps Workshop Company, in AShford
  • 153 Workshop Company, in Grangemouth

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Taylor, Claire (2010-10-19). "A Brief Guide to Previous British Defence Reviews". UK Parliament. pp. 6. http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05714.pdf. Retrieved 2013-06-29. 
  2. ↑ Prof. Andrew Lambert, Speech to Italian Navy Institute of Maritime Studies, Venice (ISMM), 8 March 2007
  3. ↑ "Aden Emergency". Online Exhibition. National Army Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20130728183256/http://www.nam.ac.uk/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/aden-emergency. Retrieved 1 July 2013. 
  4. ↑ Petersen, JE (1986). "CHAPTER 3: POSTWAR POLICY: BRITISH RETREAT AND IMPERIAL VESTIGES". Defending Arabia. Croom Helm. pp. 83. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150421014446/http://www.jepeterson.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/dfdgar03.pdf. Retrieved 1 July 2013. . 2013-07-02.
  5. ↑ Thayer, Carlyle A. "The Five Power Defence Arrangements: The Quiet Achiever". Security Challenges. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420073331/http://securitychallenges.org.au/ArticlePDFs/vol3no1Thayer.pdf. Retrieved 1 July 2013. . 2013-07-02.
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