Royal Norfolk Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Norfolk Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment
Cap badge of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Active	1881–1959
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Line infantry
Size	2 Regular battalions 1–2 Militia and Special Reserve battalions Up to 4 Territorial and Volunteer battalions Up to 12 Hostilities-only battalions
Garrison/HQ	Gorleston Barracks, Great Yarmouth (1881–1887) Britannia Barracks, Norwich (1887–1959)
Nickname(s)	"The Holy Boys" "The Fighting Ninth" "The Norfolk Howards"
Motto(s)	Firm
Facings	Yellow
March	Rule Britannia
Anniversaries	Almanza, 25 April
Battle honours	see below
Insignia
Shoulder titles	"Royal Norfolk"

The Royal Norfolk Regiment was a famous line infantry regiment in the British Army. It existed until 1959. Its story began in 1685 as "Henry Cornwall's Regiment of Foot." Later, in 1751, it became the "9th Regiment of Foot."

In 1881, the "Norfolk Regiment" was officially formed. This happened when the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot joined with local Militia and Rifle Volunteers. This change was part of the Childers Reforms for the British Army.

The Norfolk Regiment fought bravely in World War I, both in Europe and the Middle East. On June 3, 1935, it earned the special title "Royal Norfolk Regiment." The regiment then served with great courage in World War II. They fought in France, Belgium, the Far East, and later in North-West Europe.

In 1959, the Royal Norfolk Regiment combined with the Suffolk Regiment. They became the 1st East Anglian Regiment (Royal Norfolk and Suffolk). This new regiment later joined with others to form the Royal Anglian Regiment. Today, A Company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment is still known as the Royal Norfolks.

The Royal Norfolk Regiment: A Journey Through Time

Early Years and Global Adventures

The Battle of Almansa in April 1707, where the 9th Regiment fought. Painting by Ricardo Balaca.

The regiment started in 1685 in Gloucester. It was called "Henry Cornewall's Regiment of Foot." This was to help King James II during a time of unrest. The regiment soon saw action in the Williamite War in Ireland. They helped relieve the Siege of Derry and fought in important battles like the Battle of the Boyne.

In 1701, the regiment traveled to Holland. They took part in sieges during the War of the Spanish Succession. Later, in 1707, they fought in the Battle of Almansa in Spain. After this, they spent many years stationed in Menorca.

A soldier from the 9th regiment in 1742.

In 1751, all British regiments were given numbers. So, the regiment became the "9th Regiment of Foot." During the Seven Years' War, they captured Belle Île from the French. They also helped capture Havana in Cuba in 1762.

After the war, the regiment moved to Florida. In 1776, they went to Canada to fight in the American Revolutionary War. They were part of the siege of Fort Ticonderoga. Sadly, they had to surrender at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. The soldiers became prisoners of war for three years.

An officer and colour sergeant of the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment in 1813.

In 1782, the regiment was linked to Norfolk to help with recruitment. It was renamed the "9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot." They then served in the West Indies, capturing islands like Tobago and Saint Lucia. In 1799, King George III approved the use of Britannia as their symbol.

The regiment also fought in Holland in 1799. In 1805, a sad event occurred. A storm wrecked their ship, the Ariadne, off the French coast. Many soldiers were captured, but everyone survived.

Fighting in the Napoleonic Wars

Sir John Moore's tomb in San Carlos Garden, Spain. The 9th Regiment buried him in 1809.

In 1808, the regiment went to Portugal for the Peninsular War. They fought in the Battle of Roliça and the Battle of Vimeiro. After a difficult retreat, they buried their commander, Sir John Moore.

They returned to the Peninsula in 1810. They fought under Wellington in many famous battles. These included Battle of Bussaco, Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro, and the Battle of Salamanca. They also helped in sieges like Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz.

The regiment chased the French Army into France. They fought at the Battle of Nivelle and the Battle of the Nive. They were sent to Canada to prevent an invasion by the United States. Because of this, they missed the famous Battle of Waterloo.

The Victorian Era and New Beginnings

An officer of the East Norfolk Militia, which later became part of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

The regiment continued to serve globally. They fought in Afghanistan in 1842 and in the First Anglo-Sikh War in India. In 1854, they saw action in the Crimean War at the siege of Sevastopol.

In 1866, they were stationed in Japan to protect British interests. They returned to Afghanistan in 1879 for another conflict.

The Royal Norfolk Regiment's memorial for the Boer War in Norwich.

In 1881, the regiment officially became "The Norfolk Regiment." It now had two regular battalions and two militia battalions. It kept all the battle honours and traditions from its past.

The 3rd (Militia) Battalion went to South Africa in 1900. They fought in the Second Boer War, including the Battle of Poplar Grove. In 1908, the army was reorganized. The regiment then had one Reserve and three Territorial battalions.

The Great War: World War I

Regular Army Battalions

The 1st Battalion was in Ireland when World War I began in 1914. They quickly went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. They faced the German Army at the Battle of Mons.

The 2nd Battalion was in India. They fought in the Mesopotamian campaign. They were involved in the siege of Kut in 1916.

Territorial Force Battalions

The 4th and 5th Territorial battalions served in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. The 1/5th Battalion included men from the Royal estate at Sandringham.

On August 12, 1915, the 1/5th Battalion suffered heavy losses at Gallipoli. A famous story grew that they advanced into a mist and vanished. A TV drama called All the King's Men was based on their story.

In the Second Battle of Gaza in 1917, the 1/4th and 1/5th battalions had many casualties. The 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion stayed in Norfolk throughout the war. Other battalions were formed as reserves.

The Norfolk Yeomanry also joined the regiment. They fought in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in 1917. Later, they reinforced the British forces in France.

Service Battalions and a Heroic Act

New battalions, called "Service Battalions," were formed from volunteers. The 7th, 8th, and 9th Service Battalions fought on the Western Front.

During the war, Lieutenant Colonel John Sherwood-Kelly was awarded the Victoria Cross. This was for his bravery leading an attack during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

World War II: The Royal Norfolks in Action

John Niel Randle, a Victoria Cross recipient.

The regiment was renamed the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1935. This celebrated 250 years since its founding and King George V's Silver Jubilee. In 1940, members of the 2nd Battalion received the first bravery awards for the British Expeditionary Force in France.

The Royal Norfolks earned five Victoria Crosses during World War II. This was the most for any British Army regiment. These heroes were:

• David Auldjo Jamieson
• John Niel Randle
• George Gristock
• Sidney Bates
• George Arthur Knowland

Regular Army Battalions in Europe and Asia

The 1st Battalion, a regular army unit, was in India when the war started. They returned to Britain in 1940. They were part of the 3rd Infantry Division.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the 1st Battalion landed on Sword Beach. They fought bravely at Hillman Fortress, a strong German position. They had 150 casualties in this attack. The 1st Battalion continued to fight through the Normandy Campaign and into North-West Europe.

A monument in Normandy remembering 116 Royal Norfolk Regiment soldiers.

On August 6, 1944, Sidney Bates was awarded the Victoria Cross after he died in battle. He showed great courage against the German 10th SS Panzer Division. By the war's end, the 1st Battalion was highly praised. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery called them "second to none."

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment, in France, 1940.

In 1940, during the Battle of France, George Gristock of the 2nd Royal Norfolks earned the Victoria Cross. During this battle, a terrible event happened at Le Paradis. Soldiers of the Royal Norfolks were captured and then killed by German SS troops. Two soldiers survived by hiding and were later found. The person responsible for this crime was later found guilty and punished.

The 2nd Battalion also served in the Far East. They fought in the Burma Campaign, including the tough Battle of Kohima. This army was known as the "Forgotten Army." John Niel Randle and George Arthur Knowland both earned the Victoria Cross for their amazing bravery in the Far East.

Territorial Army Battalions and Prisoners of War

The 4th, 5th, and 6th Territorial Army battalions served in the Far East. They fought in the defense of Singapore and Malaya against the Japanese.

When Singapore fell in February 1942, many of these soldiers became prisoners of war. They were forced to work on projects like the Death Railway in Burma until 1945.

The 7th Battalion was formed in 1939. It was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force. This battalion suffered heavy losses and many were captured in 1940. Later, the 7th Royal Norfolks fought in Normandy in 1944. Captain David Auldjo Jamieson earned the Victoria Cross for his leadership during fierce counter-attacks.

A monument in Helmond, Netherlands, marking the town's liberation by the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment.

Due to a shortage of soldiers, the 7th Battalion was disbanded in August 1944. Its men were sent to other British divisions.

Hostilities-Only Battalions

The 8th and 9th Battalions were formed in 1939. They mostly supplied new soldiers to other battalions overseas. They stayed in the United Kingdom. The 8th Battalion was later used for garrison duties in Italy.

The 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalion was for young volunteers. It was disbanded in 1943 when the age for joining the army was lowered. These young soldiers then joined other battalions fighting overseas.

After World War II

After World War II, the regiment served in Korea from 1951 to 1952. They also fought in Cyprus against EOKA from 1955 to 1956. In 1959, the Royal Norfolk Regiment merged with other units. It became part of the new 1st East Anglian Regiment.

Regimental Museum

The story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment is told at the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum. The museum used to be in Norwich prison. It then moved to the Shirehall and later to the Norwich Castle Museum.

The main museum display is now at Norwich Castle Museum. It shows the regiment's history from the 1600s to 1964. You can see uniforms, weapons, and many medals. This includes two of the six Victoria Crosses won by the regiment's brave soldiers.

Uniform and Insignia

The regiment's uniforms changed over time. In the early days, they had orange or green facings (the color on the uniform's collar and cuffs). By 1747, this color became yellow. This yellow color stayed until 1881.

When it became the Norfolk Regiment, they wore white on their red tunics. But in 1905, the traditional yellow facings returned for dress uniforms. Officers' uniforms also had a special black line in their gold braid. Even when it became the "Royal Norfolk Regiment" in 1935, they were allowed to keep their unique yellow facings instead of changing to blue.

The figure of Britannia became an official symbol in 1799. Regimental tradition says Queen Anne granted it in 1707. This was to honor their service at the Battle of Almanza. Britannia became a key part of the Norfolk Regiment's badge.

Traditions

The Royal Norfolk Regiment celebrated an anniversary on April 25 for the Battle of Almansa. They also had a special nickname: "The Holy Boys." This nickname came from the Peninsular War. A Spanish soldier mistakenly thought Britannia on their cap badge was the Virgin Mary.

Battle Honours

The regiment earned many "battle honours." These are special awards for fighting bravely in important battles. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Mons (1914)
• Le Cateau (1914)
• Marne 1914
• Ypres 1914
• Somme 1916
• Hindenburg Line
• Landing at Suvla (1915)
• Gaza (1917)
• Shaiba (1915)
• Kut al Amara 1915

The Royal Norfolk Regiment also earned honours for:

• Belleisle, Havannah, Martinique 1794, Rolica, Vimiera, Corunna, Busaco, Salamanca, Vittoria, San Sebastián, Nive, Peninsula, Cabool 1842, Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Sobraon, Sevastopol, Kabul 1879, Afghanistan 1879–80, Paardeberg, South Africa (1900–02)
• St Omer-La Bassée, North-West Europe 1940, Normandy Landing, Brieux Bridgehead, Venray, Rhineland, North-West Europe 1944–45, Singapore Island, Kohima, Aradura (1944–1945), Burma 1944–45
• Korea 1951–52

Victoria Cross Heroes

Six members of the Norfolk or Royal Norfolk Regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery:

• Acting Lieutenant-Colonel John Sherwood-Kelly (1917)
• Company Sergeant Major George Gristock (1940)
• Captain John Niel Randle (1944)
• Corporal Sidney Bates (1944)
• Captain David Jamieson (1944)
• Lieutenant George Arthur Knowland (1945)

Images for kids

• 

  Lance Corporal R. Hearn and Private F. Slater (nearest camera) of the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment aim their weapons in the ruins of Kervenheim, 3 March 1945. Corporal Hearn is using a captured German MP40 'Schmeisser' submachine gun.