3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 20th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps 3rd City of London Regiment 69th (3rd City of London) S/L Regiment 625th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Active	13 December 1859 – 10 March 1955
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Territorial Army
Role	Infantry Air Defence
Size	1 Battalion 4 Battalions (WWI) 3 Batteries (WWII)
Part of	Royal Fusiliers London Regiment
Garrison/HQ	21 Edward Street, Hampstead Road, St Pancras (3rd Londons) Harrow Road, Paddington (69th S/L)
Nickname(s)	Railway Rifles
Engagements	Second Boer War WWI: 1st Bn: 2nd Ypres Gommecourt Ginchy Flers–Courcelette Morval Le Transloy Arras Langemarck Cambrai 2nd Bn: Gallipoli Bullecourt Menin Road Passchendaele St Quentin Villers-Bretonneux Chipilly WWII: Battle of Britain The Blitz Operation Diver

The 3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) was a special volunteer army unit in the British Army. It existed under different names from 1860 to 1961. This battalion first started with railway workers. It sent soldiers to the Second Boer War and had several groups fighting in World War I. Before World War II, it changed into a searchlight unit. It helped protect the UK during the The Blitz and continued to defend against air attacks after the war.

Early Days: The Volunteer Force

In 1859, many people wanted to join volunteer groups to help the regular British Army. This was because they worried about a possible invasion. One of these new groups was called the Railway Rifles. It began on December 13, 1859, in London. Most of its members were employees of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) from Euston Station. This group became the 20th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Railway Rifles).

At first, the unit had three companies (small groups of soldiers). It grew quickly and became an independent battalion (a larger army unit) by 1866. Its first leader was Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Bigge. The unit wore grey uniforms with red trim.

Over the years, the unit's name and connections changed. In 1890, it became the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). At this point, it was no longer just for railway workers. The soldiers started wearing the Royal Fusiliers' red coats and blue trim.

Fighting in the Second Boer War

During the Second Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa, a special company of volunteers from the Royal Fusiliers joined the regular army. This group included soldiers from the 3rd Battalion. They fought in the war, taking part in long marches and guarding areas. These volunteers earned a special honor called South Africa 1900–1902 for their battalion.

Becoming the Territorial Force

In 1908, the volunteer army was reorganized into the new Territorial Force (TF). The 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers became the 3rd (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). People often called it the '3rd Londons'. Its main base was in Edward Street, St Pancras.

In 1912, the 3rd Londons also took over the base of another disbanded unit in Paddington. Many soldiers from that unit joined the 3rd Londons.

World War I: A Global Conflict

Getting Ready for War

In August 1914, just before World War I began, the 1st London Division was on a training trip. They were quickly called back to London to prepare for war. By August 3, the 3rd Londons were already guarding important railway lines between London and Southampton.

On September 4, the 1st London Brigade, including the 1/3rd Londons, sailed to Malta. They went there to replace regular soldiers. A small group of soldiers who couldn't go overseas stayed behind to recruit new members. This new group became the 2/3rd Battalion. Later, even more battalions were formed to train new soldiers.

1/3rd Londons: From Malta to the Western Front

The 1/3rd Battalion arrived in Malta on September 14, 1914. They did guard duties and trained new recruits. In January 1915, they left Malta and went to France.

After getting new rifles and equipment, the 1/3rd Londons joined the Indian Corps in France. They fought in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on March 10, 1915. They helped capture a German outpost in a brave attack, even though they faced heavy losses at first.

They also took part in the Battle of Aubers and the Battle of Festubert. These battles were very difficult and costly. During the Battle of Loos in September 1915, they were in reserve and missed the worst of the fighting.

In February 1916, the battalion joined the 56th (London) Infantry Division. This division was getting ready for a major attack on the Gommecourt Salient as part of the Battle of the Somme. The soldiers worked hard digging trenches and preparing for the attack, often under German shellfire.

The Battle of Gommecourt

On July 1, 1916, the Battle of Gommecourt began. The 1/3rd Londons had a tough job: digging communication trenches across 'No Man's Land' (the area between the trenches). German fire was so intense that they couldn't complete this task. Without these trenches, it was impossible to send help to the attacking soldiers. The battle was a disaster, and the battalion suffered over 150 casualties.

After Gommecourt, the 56th Division moved to another part of the Somme. They trained with the first tanks to arrive in France.

Later Somme Battles

The 1/3rd Londons fought in more Somme battles, including Battle of Ginchy (September 1916), Battle of Flers–Courcelette (September 1916), and Battle of Morval (September 1916). They faced strong German defenses and machine gun fire. In October, they fought in the Battle of Le Transloy in very muddy conditions.

Arras and Ypres

In March 1917, the battalion prepared for the Battle of Arras. They advanced well, reaching their objectives quickly. However, later fighting in the Arras offensive was difficult.

In August 1917, they moved to the Ypres area for the Battle of Langemarck. The battle was stuck in deep mud, and the battalion made little progress.

Cambrai and Disbandment

In November 1917, the 1/3rd Londons took part in the Battle of Cambrai. They helped create a fake attack to distract the Germans. They also fought in intense battles around the Hindenburg Line.

Due to a shortage of soldiers, the 1/3rd Londons battalion was disbanded in January 1918. Its soldiers were sent to other battalions, including the 2/3rd Londons.

2/3rd Londons: From Malta to Gallipoli

The 2/3rd Battalion arrived in Malta in December 1914. In April 1915, they moved to Egypt and then to Sudan. In September, they joined the Gallipoli Campaign. They landed at Suvla and held trenches.

Life in the trenches at Gallipoli was very hard. The battalion lost about half its soldiers. In November 1915, a huge thunderstorm flooded their trenches, followed by snow. The 2/3rd Londons were hit hardest: 50 men drowned, and 30 suffered frostbite. Only a few officers and men were left. They were evacuated from Gallipoli in January 1916.

Reforming and Fighting in France

After resting in Egypt, the 2/3rd Londons were sent to France in April 1916. There, the original 2/3rd Battalion was disbanded, and its soldiers joined other units. A new 2/3rd Battalion was formed from the 3/3rd Londons, which had been training in the UK. This "new" 2/3rd Battalion joined the 58th Division.

In 1917, the 58th Division went to the front lines near Arras. They followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line.

Bullecourt and Ypres Again

In May 1917, the 2/3rd Londons fought in the Battle of Bullecourt. They helped capture the village and fought off German counter-attacks. In June, they attacked a section of the Hindenburg Line, facing strong German defenses.

In August 1917, the 58th Division moved to Ypres. The 2/3rd Londons helped hold the line and supported other attacks. They then returned to the line for the Second Battle of Passchendaele in October. The weather was terrible, with deep mud. The soldiers struggled forward under heavy fire. The battalion suffered huge losses, with only two officers and 17 men left at the end of the day. Their commanding officer was killed.

In January 1918, the 2/3rd Londons absorbed soldiers from other disbanded battalions, including the 1/3rd Londons. From then on, it was simply called the 3rd Londons.

Spring Offensive 1918

When the German spring offensive began on March 21, 1918, the 3rd Londons were in reserve. They were quickly sent to support other units. The German attack was very strong, using heavy shelling and fog. The battalion fought bravely, but they were forced to retreat. They suffered many casualties, losing 18 officers and 341 soldiers in just a few days.

Villers-Bretonneux and Chipilly

In April 1918, the 3rd Londons moved to defend Villers-Bretonneux. They worked hard to improve their defenses under frequent German shelling. On April 24, the Germans launched another attack with tanks. The 3rd Londons held their ground around Hangard Village, and a counter-attack later that night restored the original line.

In August 1918, the Allies began their Hundred Days Offensive. The 3rd Londons were part of the attack on Chipilly Ridge. The first attack on August 8 was difficult due to mist and machine gun fire. The next day, August 9, they attacked again. Despite heavy fire and many casualties, the ridge was eventually captured.

Pushing Towards Victory

The 3rd Londons continued to fight in the Second Battle of Bapaume in August 1918. They advanced through German positions, often in the morning mist. They helped capture Maricourt village.

In September, they attacked towards Épehy. They faced strong resistance but eventually captured Épehy and Pezières. This opened the way to the main Hindenburg Line.

The battalion continued to pursue the retreating Germans in October, reaching the Scheldt river. On November 11, 1918, the war ended with the Armistice with Germany. The 3rd Londons remained in Belgium until they returned home in June 1919.

Between the World Wars

After World War I, the Territorial Force was reformed in 1920. The battalion became the 3rd City of London Regiment (The Royal Fusiliers). In 1937, it changed its name again to the 10th (3rd City of London) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).

As World War II approached, there was a growing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defense. So, on November 1, 1938, the 3rd Londons became a searchlight (S/L) unit. It was renamed 69th Searchlight Regiment and had three searchlight companies. This unit was part of London's air defense.

World War II: Defending the Skies

Mobilization and the Blitz

In August 1939, just before World War II began, all AA units were fully mobilized. On August 1, 1940, all Army searchlight units, including the 69th, became part of the Royal Artillery (RA). The battalion was renamed 69th (3rd City of London) Searchlight Regiment, RA. They kept their Royal Fusiliers cap badge.

The regiment stayed in East Anglia and played a key role during the Battle of Britain and The Blitz. Their searchlights helped spot enemy planes for anti-aircraft guns and night fighters.

Later War Years

The regiment's organization changed a bit during the war, with batteries (smaller groups of searchlights) being added or moved. In 1943, the regiment moved to the West Country. Due to manpower needs, one of its searchlight batteries was converted into a Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) battery.

Operation Diver

After D Day in 1944, Germany started launching V-1 flying bombs (buzz bombs) at London. This led to Operation Diver, where AA defenses in southeast England were greatly strengthened. Searchlight units, including the 69th, were used to help guide LAA guns and assist RAF night fighters against these bombs. The regiment was stationed along the East Coast in 1945. It was officially put on hold in April 1946.

After the Wars

When the Territorial Army was reformed in 1947, the regiment split into two separate units:

• 604th Searchlight Regiment, RA (The Royal Fusiliers)
• 625th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (The Royal Fusiliers)

In 1950, the 604th Searchlight Regiment combined with another unit. In 1951, the 625th Regiment was adopted by the area of Paddington.

In 1955, there was a big reduction in AA units. The 625th LAA Regiment was disbanded. The 604th LAA/SL Regiment combined with other units. In 1961, the combined regiment changed back to an infantry role, and the history of the 3rd Londons unit ended.

Unit Badges and Symbols

Even when the regiment became part of the Royal Artillery, its soldiers still wore the Royal Fusiliers' cap badge and a white feather on their hats. Officers also wore special bronze badges on their collars. They continued to wear a blue lanyard (a cord worn around the neck or shoulder) instead of the white one usually worn by the Royal Artillery.

Memorials to the Unit

There was once a memorial for the unit's World War I dead at its drill hall in Harrow Road. Sadly, when the hall was torn down in 1965, the memorial was also destroyed.

However, there is a plaque at St James's Church, Sussex Gardens, Paddington. It remembers when the people of Paddington adopted the 625 LAA Regiment in 1951.

The 3rd Battalion is also listed on the London Troops War Memorial in front of the Royal Exchange. Its fallen soldiers are named in the Royal Fusiliers Chapel in St Sepulchre-without-Newgate. The Royal Fusiliers War Memorial at Holborn Bar also lists both the 3rd and 30th Battalions of the London Regiment.

Battle Honors

The 3rd London Regiment earned many special honors for its bravery in battles. These are called Battle honours. The ones shown in bold were chosen to appear on the unit's flags:

South Africa, 1900–02

Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert, 1915, Somme, 1916, '18, Albert, 1916, '18, Ginchy, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, Arras, 1917, Scarpe, 1917, Bullecourt, Ypres, 1917 Langemarck, 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, Cambrai, 1917, St Quentin, Bapaume, 1918, Villers Bretonneux, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Épehy, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1915–18, Gallipoli 1915–16, Egypt, 1915–16.

The Royal Artillery does not usually get battle honors, so the 69th Searchlight Regiment did not receive any for World War II.

Images for kids

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  Neuve Chapelle area, 1914-1915.

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  British troops advancing during the Battle of Ginchy.

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  British troops at Morval, September 25, 1916.

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  Passchendaele mud.

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  Knocked-out German A7V tank named Schnuck.

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  Regimental aid post near Chipilly, August 10, 1918.

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  58th Division's monument at Chipilly.

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  The ruins of Chipilly after its capture.

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  90 cm Projector Anti-Aircraft, displayed at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth.

Online sources

• British Army units from 1945 on
• British Military History
• The Long, Long Trail
• Orders of Battle at Patriot Files
• Great War Forum
• The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918 (archive site)
• Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org – archive site)
• Royal Artillery 1939–1945
• Imperial War Museum, War Memorials Register
• WWI Battlefields
• Agius Brothers in WW1
• Pro Patria Mori - Gommecourt
• Graham Watson, The Territorial Army 1947