2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 46th (London & Westminster) Middlesex RVC2nd Volunteer Bn, Royal Fusiliers 2nd Bn, London Regiment 9th Bn, Royal Fusiliers 624 LAA Regiment, Royal Artillery |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 16 April 1861–1 May 1961 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Volunteer Force/Territorial Force/Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry Battalion Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
| Role | Infantry Air Defence |
| Size | 1–4 Battalions |
| Part of | London Regiment Royal Fusiliers Royal Artillery |
| Garrison/HQ | 9 Tufton Street, Westminster (1899–1937) 213 Balham High Road, Wandsworth (1937–1961) |
| Nickname(s) | 'Second to Nondons' 'Two and Twopennies' (2/2nd Bn) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Sir John Shelley, 7th Baronet |
The 2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were volunteers, meaning they weren't full-time soldiers. This unit existed under different names from 1860 to 1961.
They fought in many important wars. During World War I, they served in places like Malta, Gallipoli, Egypt, and on the Western Front. In World War II, they saw action in Iraq, North Africa, and Italy. After the wars, they became an air defence unit for a while. Later, they went back to being infantry soldiers. Finally, they joined up with another part of the Royal Fusiliers.
Contents
Becoming Volunteers
In 1859, many people in Britain worried about a possible invasion. This led to a lot of excitement about joining the Volunteer movement. People wanted to become part-time soldiers to help the regular British Army if needed.
One of these new groups was the Royal National Rifles. It was suggested in 1860 by Sir John Shelley, 7th Baronet. He was a MP for Westminster. He wanted the group to be made up of skilled workers and other respected people. There was some disagreement about starting the unit. But eventually, the government said it had to be accepted.
The unit officially started on 16 April 1861. It was called the 46th (London and Westminster) Middlesex RVC. Sir John Shelley became its first leader. Their main office was near Westminster Abbey. By June 1861, the group had eight companies. Four were from the City of London and four from Westminster and Pimlico. The soldiers were described as "respectable working class" people. The officers were "men of good social position."
Over the years, the unit's name changed a few times. In 1880, it became the 23rd Middlesex RVC. Then, in 1883, it was renamed the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. This meant they were now officially linked to the famous Royal Fusiliers regiment. In 1899, the battalion moved to a new, special building at 9 Tufton Street.
Fighting in the Boer War
After a difficult period in the Second Boer War in South Africa, many volunteer units were asked to help. This battalion was one of the first to send soldiers. A special company of volunteers from the Royal Fusiliers joined the regular army in South Africa in May 1900. Another group, called G Company of the City of London Imperial Volunteers (CIV), also had soldiers from this battalion.
These volunteers fought alongside the regular soldiers. They went on long marches and guarded areas. In total, four officers and over 150 volunteers from the battalion served in the war. Nine of them died while serving. Because of their service, the battalion earned a special honour called South Africa 1900–1902.
Joining the Territorial Force
In 1908, the volunteer army was changed. It became the new Territorial Force (TF). The volunteer units in London formed a new group called the London Regiment. Our battalion became the 2nd (City of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). People often just called them the '2nd Londons'.
Units in the Territorial Force could carry special flags, called Colours, if they had enough soldiers. The 2nd Londons worked hard to get more recruits. They even opened a new company in Willesden and Kilburn. Because of their efforts, they earned the right to have their own Colours. These flags were presented at Windsor Castle in June 1909.
World War I Service
In September 1914, the battalion sailed to Malta. Then, in January 1915, they moved to France to join the fighting on the Western Front.
The Battle of Gommecourt
The 1/2nd Battalion's first big battle was at Gommecourt. This happened on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. The battalion was held back at first. But in the afternoon, they were ordered to attack German trenches. They had to cross about 200 yards of open land.
They faced heavy machine gun fire from their left side. They also came under intense artillery shelling. The battalion suffered many losses and could not reach their goals. At Gommecourt, 4 officers and 41 soldiers were killed. Another 6 officers and 159 soldiers were wounded. Two officers and 42 soldiers went missing.
World War II Service
After World War I, the battalion rejoined the Royal Fusiliers. It was renamed the 9th (2nd City of London) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).
This battalion fought in World War II. They were involved in the final parts of the Tunisian campaign in mid-1943. Later, they fought in Italy for most of the Italian campaign. Some of their most important battles were at Salerno, Anzio, the Gothic Line, and the Spring 1945 offensive in Italy.
After the Wars
In 1947, the battalion changed its role. It became the 624th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery (Royal Fusiliers). This meant they were now part of the Royal Artillery and focused on defending against air attacks.
In 1961, the unit merged with another battalion. They formed The City of London Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). This new battalion was later made smaller in 1967. Today, it is known as 3 (City of London Fusiliers) Company, part of the London Regiment.
Unit History and Traditions
Uniforms and Badges
The first uniform of the 46th (London & Westminster) RVC was a dull grey colour. It had green details and black belts. Officers wore silver decorations. In 1876, the uniform changed to a bright red jacket with blue details. They also wore white belts.
When the unit became the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, they started wearing special 'grenade' badges on their collars. They also slowly began to wear the tall, furry Fusilier Cap. After the Boer War, they added a white feather, called a Hackle, to the right side of the cap.
For field training, they first wore their full dress uniform. Later, they used simpler red or blue jackets. Eventually, they switched to khaki service dress, which was a more practical uniform. When the London Regiment was formed, the battalion was allowed to keep its Royal Fusiliers uniform for special occasions.
Memorials and Honours
The 2nd London Battalion is listed on the City and County of London Troops Memorial. This memorial is in front of the Royal Exchange. A bronze statue on the memorial shows an infantry soldier, representing London's infantry units. Each unit on the memorial received a small bronze plaque. The 2nd Londons' plaque is now at the Army Reserve Centre in Balham High Road.
The battalion is also listed on the Royal Fusiliers War Memorial at Holborn Bar. This memorial has a bronze statue of a Fusilier soldier. When it was revealed in 1922, soldiers from the four Territorial battalions, including the 2nd Londons, formed a special guard.
The 2nd Londons' own war memorial is a brass plaque and a list of names. It was first put up at their old Drill Hall on Tufton Street in 1922. It is now at the Army Reserve Centre in Balham High Road. The list of names is in the Royal Fusiliers' Regimental Chapel in St Sepulchre-without-Newgate.
The 58th Divisional Memorial is at Chipilly. It shows a wounded horse. This memorial was paid for by money earned from the division's entertainment canteen and barber shop.
The regimental flags (Colours) of the 2nd Londons from 1909 are kept at the Officers' Mess in Balham High Road. Other flags from the battalion are in St Sepulchre and the Royal Fusiliers' Museum in the Tower of London.
Battle Honours
The 2nd London Regiment and 9th Royal Fusiliers earned many special honours for their bravery in battles. These are called Battle Honours.
- Second Boer War:
- South Africa, 1900–02
- World War I:
- Somme, 1916, '18
- Albert, 1916, '18
- Guillemont, Ginchy, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy
- Arras, 1917 '18
- Scarpe, 1917 '18
- Bullecourt
- Ypres, 1917
- Langemarck, 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele
- Cambrai, 1917
- St Quentin, Villers Bretonneux
- Amiens
- Bapaume, 1918
- Hindenburg Line
- Épehy, Canal du Nord, Valenciennes, Sambre
- France and Flanders 1915–18
- Gallipoli 1915–16
- Egypt, 1915–16.
- World War II:
- Djebel Tebega, North Africa 1943
- Salerno
- St Lucia, Battipaglia, Teano, Monte Camino
- Garigliano Crossing
- Damiano
- Anzio
- Gothic Line
- Coriano
- Croce, Valli di Comacchio, Argenta Gap
- Italy 1943–45
The honours shown in bold were chosen to be displayed on the King's Colour, which is a special flag.
Honorary Colonels
An Honorary Colonel is a special title given to someone connected to the regiment. Here are some people who held this role for the unit:
- Lt-Col Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet, a brave soldier who won the VC. He was appointed in 1877.
- Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, a very high-ranking military leader. He was appointed in 1883.
- Col Albert L. Keller, a former leader of the unit. He was appointed in 1906.
- Lt-Col Philip Carlebach, another former leader. He was appointed in 1910.
- Col Viscount Wakefield, who was once the Lord Mayor of London. He was appointed in 1921.
Other Famous Members
- Sir John Shelley, 7th Baronet, who was an MP and the first leader of the unit.
- William Campbell, 2nd Baron Stratheden and Campbell, who was the second-in-command and acted as leader twice.
- H. O. Arnold-Forster, who used to be the Secretary of State for War.
- Billy Cotton, who later became a famous bandleader. He served at Gallipoli and later joined the Royal Flying Corps.
