In February 2007 The Rifles was created from four of the finest Infantry Regiments in the British Army.
The Devonand Dorsetshire Light Infantry
The Light Infantry
The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry
The Royal Green Jackets
These Regiments are known as ‘the Founding Regiments’ and they all have a long and illustrious history. Between them, these four Founding Regiments have amassed 913 Battle Honours. Since 53 per cent of these honours are shared between two or more of the Founding Regiments, as a single regiment The Rifles will have in the region of 437 Battle Honours. In addition, between them, the four Founding Regiments have been awarded a total of 117 Victoria Crosses – the highest award for gallantry.
Regimental Battle Honours
An officers crossbelt badge
In The Rifles battle honours which are the selected symbols of our past are carried forward on parade uniforms.As a rifle regiment, battalions of The Rifles do not carry Colours. Instead, battle honours are entrusted to each Rifleman, who wear a representative selection of battle honours from all the forming regiments on the cross belt or belt badge.
All of our officers, warrant officers and serjeants wear cross belts with the Inkerman whistle and chain, used in the past, with the bugle, to communicate with, and to direct Riflemen. The bugle is central to our musical traditions but music has been carried forward from all our forming regiments. Daily routine in the battalions is marked by bugle calls, and so The Rifles sound, rather than beat, Retreat. The belt badge design, includes the following 34 representative battle honours (from the Regimental total) on the Regimental Crest:
‘Golden Threads’