THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT

The Royal Anglian Regiment was formed in September 1964 following a series of reorganisations within the British Army.

The amalgamations of the Suffolk Regiment with the Royal Norfolk Regiment, the Northamptonshire Regiment with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and the Bedford & Hertfordshire Regiment with the Essex Regiment took place between 1958 and 1961. These changes led to the formation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd East Anglian Regiments. When these joined with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, the four battalions of the Royal Anglian Regiment were formed – creating the first large Regiment of Infantry in the British Army.

The Royal Anglians – who, as a newly-formed regiment, have not earned their own honours – are proud to recognise the Battle Honours of their former regiments and these are displayed today on the colours of each battalion.

In April 1971, the 7th Battalion was formed as a general reserve battalion. Seven years later, it was given a new role as NATO committed battalion. The new role meant the battalion was upgraded, with changes in weapons, vehicles and equipment. A number of organisational and location adjustments were then carried out to rationalise the geographical area covered by the battalion.

The battalion’s nickname, “The Tigers”, was passed down from the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, who acquired the name during the period of exemplary service in India from 1804-23. Today, the tiger motif appears on the regimental buttons worn by all regular and volunteer soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

The City’s links with the Regiment go back many years. Over 50 years ago, in 1944, the Freedom of Entry to the city was bestowed on the Leicestershire Regiment (which became the Royal Leicestershire Regiment in 1946). The same honour was then devolved to the 4th (Leicestershire) Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the 4/5th Battalion of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment (TA) in 1966, following Army reorganisation.