Yorkshire Brochure Final(5) - Flipbook - Page 11
LOCAL INTEREST
The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
(KOYLI) existed from 1881 to 1968,
but its predecessors go back to 1755
when the 53rd (Napier's) Regiment of
Foot was raised in Leeds. In 1757 it
was renumbered the 51st (Brudenell's)
Regiment of Foot. It is the only regiment
originally formed in Yorkshire.
The 51st’s first main action was at the
Battle of Minden on 1 August 1759; onroute the soldiers picked roses to wear in
their tunics. This custom is still marked on
1 August when soldiers wear a white rose
in their head dress.
In 1782 the 51st was given a "county"
designation, becoming the 51st (2nd
Yorkshire, West Riding) Regiment of
Foot. The title of Light Infantry was given
in honour of its former commander
General Sir John Moore in 1809. In 1821
the regiment was given royal status
when King's Own was added to its title,
becoming the 51st (2nd Yorkshire, West
Riding, The King's Own Light Infantry)
Regiment.
Pontefract Barracks in Pontefract has
since 1879 been occupied by the KOYLI,
The Light Infantry and now acts as
company headquarters of Y Company,
8 RIFLES. A connection between the
Regiment and the historic town of
Pontefract dating back over 140 years.
In 1881 the regiments were amalgamated
to become the 1st and 2nd Battalion of
The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
In 1908, the 1st Volunteer Battalion
became the 4th Battalion at Bank Street in
Wakefield and a 5th Battalion was raised
at Frenchgate in Doncaster.
During WWI, the KOYLI formed 26
Battalions and fought in France and other
theatres where 9,447 KOYLI soldiers gave
their lives. Their gallantry is demonstrated
by the award of 59 Battle Honours, 8
VC’s, 64 DSO’s, 175 MC’s, 192 DCM’s and
828 MM’s. On 1 July 1916, the First Day of
the Somme, seven KOYLI battalions went
over the top.
During WWII, the KOYLI raised 10
Battalions and 1196 of its soldiers gave
their lives. Between 1939 and 1945
the KOYLI took part in all the major
campaigns: Norway, Middle East, Italy,
France (including the D Day landings),
Holland, Burma, Malaya (including a 1000mile retreat from the Japanese), Iceland,
and North Africa.
On 10 July 1968 after 190 years of service
the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
(51st & 105th) amalgamated with the other
Light Infantry county regiments to form
3 regular battalions of The Light Infantry
with the 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry
directly link to the KOYLI. Between 1968
and 2005 the regular battalions served in
Berlin, Malaysia, Cyprus, Germany, Hong
Kong, Northern Ireland, Mauritius, the
Falklands, Bosnia with the UN Protection
Force (UNPROFOR), Kosovo, Iraq and
finally Afghanistan. In June 2005, The
Queen granted The Light Infantry the
battle honours Iraq 2003 and Al Bashrah.
The KOYLI Regimental Association formed
in 1912 still exists today as The Rifles,
Light Infantry and KOYLI Association;
over 100 years unbroken history of
assisting serving and former members of
The Rifles, the forming and antecedent
regiments.
CONTACT US
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS THE RIFLES
Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road,
WINCHESTER, SO23 8TS
01962 828 527 | rhq@the-rifles.co.uk
REGIONAL OFFICES:
North (Pontefract) | 01977 703 181 |
yorkshire@the-rifles.co.uk
Midlands (Shrewsbury) | 01743 842 030 |
shrewsbury@the-rifles.co.uk
London (Kensington) | 0207 414 5441 |
london@the-rifles.co.uk
South (Winchester) | 01962 828 501 |
salisbury@the-rifles.co.uk
West (Taunton) | 01823 333 434 | taunton@
the-rifles.co.uk
South West (Exeter) | 01392 492 435 |
exeter@the-rifles.co.uk
JOIN US:
Regular & Reserve Officer |
armyjobs@the-rifles.co.uk
Regular & Reserve Soldier |
enquiry@the-rifles.co.uk
ARMY CADET FORCE
www.armycadets.com
THE RIFLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION:
SWIFT - www.theriflesnetwork.co.uk |
swift@the-rifles.co.uk
FORMING & ANTECEDENT REGIMENTAL
ASSOCIATION BRANCHES:
•
Doncaster (LI)
•
Wakefield (LI)
•
Pontefract (LI)
•
Leeds (LI)
•
Wakefield (RGJ)
www.therifleslikoyli.co.uk |
assnsecyorkshire@the-rifles.co.uk
MUSEUMS:
The Rifles Regimental Museum | www.
riflesmuseum.co.uk
The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Museum | www.doncaster.gov.uk
