The Fusiliers are fifty years old, and today we welcomed them to the Guildhall for an inspection by the Lord Mayor and their Colonel in Chief the Duke of Kent.
2018 is an exciting year for the Fusiliers as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, there is a year-long programme of events to involve serving Fusiliers, veterans, their families and the general public. All the events and commemorations will take place under the umbrella of Fusilier 50.
You can see all details on this page Fusilier 50 Facebook site
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is an infantry Regiment within the British Army and known generally as “The Fusiliers”.
First Fusiliers (1 RRF) is based in Tidworth and Fifth Fusiliers (5 RRF) is a Reserve Battalion based in Newcastle. Both battalions can deploy highly motivated and trained soldiers who can adapt quickly to any challenging scenario.
The Regiment was formed in 1968 as part of the Army reforms to create the first ‘large infantry Regiment’ amalgamating the four English Fusilier Regiments:
- The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
- The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers
- The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
- The Lancashire Fusiliers
Since its formation in 1968, with initially four Regular and two Reserve Battalions, the Fusiliers have seen service across the world and found themselves in regions as diverse as Northern Ireland and Cyprus. More recently the Regiment served in the Balkans, the 1st and 2nd Gulf Wars and the Afghanistan campaign.
The Regiment is well known for its distinctive red and white hackle which is worn by all ranks. The Hackle was awarded in recognition for the defeat of the French at the Battle of St Lucia in 1778. The white hackles were removed from the French dead by the Fusiliers – it is regimental folklore that they were then dipped in their blood…
The Regiment has four museums located at RHQ in the Tower of London, Warwick, Alnwick and Bury, each commemorating the area’s antecedent Regiment. I recommend a visit!