[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by rupertramjet

Historically our Regiments consisted of more than one Battalion, each Regiment would have a first battalion, with at least a second, which would act as a depot and reserve battalion, with the amalgamation of many of these old county and local Regiments, for example the Duke of Cornwall's Own Light Infantry, amalgamated with the Somerset Light Infantry, which again amalgamated and ended up as first battalion Light Infantry, which had two further battalions, and were later again amalgamated into The Rifles, all these historic regiments had long histories, battle honours and tradition, many exist now as only Regimental Museums, very sad.

My own Regiment has three battalions, and in the old tradition id more like a Regiment than most, but the demise of so many and their history and tradition is very sad, which is why so many Battalions still carry Regiment titles and also have badged reserve units, although very very few remain.

The Devon and Dorsets, had one of the smallest Regimental strengths, but proportionally produced more star ranks, Brigadier and above, than any other Regiment, it still got cut!

...proving once again that old adage "the gratitude of kings and potentates has very poor keeping qualities"