Cambridgeshire Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cambridgeshire Regiment |
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Badge of the Cambridgeshire Regiment
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| Active | 1908–1961 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Territorial Army |
| Role | Infantry |
| Colours | Cambridge Blue and Black |
| Engagements | Battle of the Somme, Fall of Singapore |
The Cambridgeshire Regiment was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were part of the Territorial Army, which is like a reserve force. This regiment started in 1860 as volunteer groups. They fought in big wars like the Second Anglo-Boer War and both World War I and World War II. In 1961, they became part of another regiment. Today, their history is carried on by the Royal Anglian Regiment. People often called the soldiers of this regiment 'Fen Tigers'.
Contents
How the Regiment Started
The Cambridgeshire Regiment began with groups of volunteer soldiers in Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely around 1859-1860. By 1862, there were ten groups, which soon formed the 1st Administrative Battalion of Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteers.
In 1880, these volunteer groups joined together to form the 1st Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. A year later, they became a volunteer battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. In 1887, their name changed to the 3rd (Cambridgeshire) Volunteer Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment.
This battalion sent 3 officers and 43 other soldiers to help the regular Suffolk Regiment in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). In 1901, about twenty of these soldiers were honored for their service.
When the Territorial Force was created in 1908, the 3rd Volunteer Battalion became The Cambridgeshire Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment (TF). Its main office was in Cambridge. The next year, the Cambridgeshires became their own regiment, called the 1st Battalion, The Cambridgeshire Regiment. However, they were still linked to the Suffolk Regiment.
By 1914, the original volunteer groups had become companies within the 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment:
- The 1st Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in Cambridge became A and B companies.
- The 2nd Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in Wisbech became E company.
- The 4th Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in Whittlesey became F company.
- The 5th Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in March became G company.
- The 6th Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in Ely became H company.
- The 8th Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in Cambridge became C and D companies.
The First World War
When World War I started, the Territorial Force grew much larger. The Cambridgeshire Regiment formed a 2nd Battalion. In 1915, they formed even more battalions: the 3rd and 4th Battalions. These newer battalions stayed in the United Kingdom throughout the war.
1st Battalion in Action
The 1st Battalion was based in Cambridge when the war began. They were part of the East Anglian Division. They traveled to Le Havre in France and joined the 27th Division. Later, they moved to the 39th Division in February 1916.
In October 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, soldiers from the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment helped capture a strong German fort called Schwaben Redoubt. This fort was very important because it overlooked Thiepval. The Germans tried to take it back three times on October 15, but the Cambridgeshires and other units fought them off.
In July 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, C Company of the battalion played a key role. They captured a boiler house and bravely held their ground when the enemy attacked them.
Sadly, 77 officers and 789 other soldiers from the Cambridgeshire Regiment died during the First World War.
It was reported that the regiment's drums were briefly captured by the Germans. But they were recovered within a few hours. A committee called the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Prisoners of War Help Support Committee helped the soldiers and their families.
Between the World Wars
After the First World War, the Cambridgeshire Regiment, like other volunteer battalions, went back to their normal routine. This included drill nights, weekend training, and annual camps. A film from 1921 showing their recruiting efforts can be found online.
The Second World War
In early 1939, just before World War II began, the Territorial Army again became twice as large. Each unit formed a second, duplicate battalion. Because of this, a 2nd Battalion was created for the Cambridgeshire Regiment.
After the war started, both battalions served with the 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division. They were first on the Norfolk Coast in England. Then they were sent to the Far East to fight in the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore.
1st Battalion in Singapore
The 1st Battalion fought at Sime Road Camp in Singapore. They defended the camp for two days. However, the commander of the garrison, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, ordered them to surrender to the Imperial Japanese Army.
2nd Battalion's Fight
The 2nd Battalion, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Thorne, arrived in Singapore in early 1942. They helped the 15th Indian Brigade at Batu Pahat. The brigade held the town for ten days against attacks from the Imperial Japanese Army. About 500 soldiers from the battalion fought their way back to Singapore. They were attacked from all sides at Braddell Road in Singapore before also being ordered to surrender.
About 24 officers and 760 other soldiers were killed or died while being held by the Japanese during the Second World War. The regiment's drums were hidden during the Fall of Singapore in 1942 and were thought to be lost.
After the Wars
In 1946, Margaret Taylor, a welfare worker, found the regiment's drums in an old shed in Singapore. Their skins were broken and rotten. She told the regiment, and the drums were shipped back home. The Borough of Cambridge honored the regiment with the freedom of Cambridge in 1946. The regiment also received the Freedom of Wisbech on July 17, 1949.
In 1947, the regiment changed its role to artillery. They became the 629th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (The Cambridgeshire Regiment). They were allowed to keep their colors, badge, and drums. In this new role, they used Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns to defend airfields in East Anglia.
In 1954, the regiment was chosen to serve with the 16th Airborne Division. They became the 629 (The Cambridgeshire Regiment) Parachute Light Regiment RA (TA) and used ML 4.2-inch mortars. In 1955, 140 soldiers qualified as parachutists, earning their red berets and 'wings'.
Later, the regiment returned to its original role and name: 1st Battalion, The Cambridgeshire Regiment (TA). In 1961, the Territorial Army became smaller. The 1st Cambridgeshires joined with the 4th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment to form the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment (TAVR). This new group was disbanded in 1967.
Battle Honours
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. Here are the battle honours of the Cambridgeshire Regiment:
- Early wars
- First World War:
- Ypres 1915 '17, Somme 1916 '18, Ancre Heights, Pilckem, Passchendaele, Kemmel, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1915-18
- Second World War:
- Johore, Batu Pahat, Singapore Island, Malaya 1942
Remembering Cambridgeshire Losses
The Royal British Legion did a lot of research into all 876 service members from the area who died in the First World War. In 2015, the committee that did this important work was given the Freedom of the town by Wisbech Town Council.
See also
- Category:Cambridgeshire Regiment officers
