Mark Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Was that something to do with the Army in WW2 :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 A lot earlier than that mate, I think originally the regiment was formed in the 1800's and the were all from middle class's Artists etc etc. Believe it or not 21 SAS are/were now known as Artists Rifles's and I am right in saying that 21 are TA. Could someone put the correct history in WIKI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Could someone put the correct history in WIKI? Yep, I reckon Artist's Rifles (Neil) could Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 Yep, I reckon Artist's Rifles (Neil) could That's what I was hoping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Hardyferret Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 As known The Regiment was disbanded in Oct 1945 but due to continued interest in small commando type warfare Regiment reformed in 1947 as a Territorial unit attached to the rifle Brigade and merges with The Artists rifles a volunteer battalion raised in 1859 from London's artistic community hence 21 SAS(artists) Though volunteer not the the normal STAB correct Neil ??? I wonder if thru Artists the poem 'the golden road' came to the regt The Golden Road We are pilgrims, master, we will shall go Always a little further, it may be Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow Across that angry or that glimmering sea White on a throne or guarded in a cave There lives a prophet who can understand Why men were born, but surely we are brave Who take the Golden Road to Samarkand. James Elroy Flecker Regards Hardyferret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest qtronics Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hi all, I don’t know the history / story of this, but I’m more then happy to put a bit of work in and stick it on the Wiki if some posts the info. (the Wiki is very simple to use, honest ) Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hi all, I don’t know the history / story of this, but I’m more then happy to put a bit of work in and stick it on the Wiki if some posts the info. (the Wiki is very simple to use, honest ) Al. Quite right Al, I will pull my finger out and get some content in there as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 No probs - I've got a regimental history around here somewhere. One little gem for you though - the regimental structure of the three SAS regiments is unique in the Army in that 21 (Artists Rifles) regiment is the senior regiment in the SAS and not 22, the regular regiment - not a lot of people know that.......... In my day too the suffix denoting a TA regiment was shortened - e.g, the normal form was like 151 Regt RCT (VR) whereas we were known as 21 (Artists Rifles) Regt SAS® or 23 Regt SAS®. Absolutely correct in my day Mrs Hardy Ferret - it was only possible to transfer into 21 (or 23 if North of Birmingham) from another unit. However I'm told they will now take direct civilian entry. Contrary to popular opinion though the mega-fit aren't the ones most likely to pass selection/continuation - yes, you need to be fit to undertake it BUT you also need to be able to think on your feet - fast. Not upsetting the Directing Staff was also considered a good move :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 Ok Just found this Titles and Lineage English County Index Alphabetic Index of Titles 1860.02.28 38th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps formed at Burlington House, London, consisting of professional painters, sculptors, architects, musicians, actors, and other artists 1877 38th Middlesex (Artists') Rifle Volunteer Corps HQ moved to The Arts Club, Hanover Square, London 1880.09.03 20th Middlesex (Artists') Rifle Volunteer Corps 1881.07.01 [7th] volunteer battalion of The Rifle Brigade 1883 HQ moved to Duke Street, Euston 1889 battalion came within boundaries of new County of London, formed from parts of Middlesex, Kent and Surrey 1891.12 20th Middlesex (Artists) Volunteer Rifle Corps 1892 renumbered ]6th] vol bn of The Rifle Brigade 1900 increased to twelve companies 1908.04.01 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Artists Rifles) transferred to T.F. with HQ and coys at Duke Street, Euston A Company B Company C Company D Company E Company F Company G Company H Company 1915 became part of Officers Training Corps 1916.07.07 transferred to The Rifle Brigade 1920.09.24 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Artists Rifles) reconstituted as infantry in T.A. with HQ at Duke's Road, Euston Road A Company at ? B Company at ? C Company at ? D Company at ? 1922 28th County of London Regiment (Artists Rifles) 1929 transferred to The Rifle Brigade without title change 1937.08.01 The Artists Rifles, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) 1939.09.03 163 Officer Cadet Training Unit 1942.06.10 authority granted for 56th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps to adopt "Artists Rifles" title in order for the regiment to qualify for battle honours, but 56 Recce rejected the offer since it had no Artists officers and all recce regiments had already adopted cavalry nomenclature 1945 demobilised and placed in suspended animation 1947.01.01 The Artists Rifles, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) reconstituted in T.A. with HQ at Chelsea, London A Squadron at Chelsea B Squadron at Chelsea C Squadron at Chelsea D Squadron at Chelsea 1947.07.01 21st Battalion, Special Air Service Regiment (Artists' Rifles) transferred to Army Air Corps; numbered to perpetuate lineage of 1st SAS and 2nd SAS, the British elements of the war-time Special Air Service 1950 Z Sqn mobilised as The Malayan Scouts for Malayan Emergency 1950.05.13 21st Special Air Service Regiment (The Artist's Rifles) A Squadron at Chelsea B Squadron at Chelsea C Squadron at Hitchin, Herts. D Squadron at Portsmouth, Hants. 1967.04.01 21st Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Volunteers) disbanded and concurrently reconstituted in TAVR II with HQ in London A Squadron at Chelsea, London B Squadron at Chelsea, London; moved later to Dulwich C Squadron at Hitchin, Herts. D Squadron at Portsmouth, Hants.; moved later to Bramley (Basingstoke) 19uu E Squadron formed at Newport, Gwent 1994 reduced to three squadrons: A Squadron at Chelsea, London, amalgamation of A Sqn and B Sqn B Squadron at Newport, Gwent; later redesignated as E Sqn. C Squadron at Portsmouth, Hants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Potted history of the Regiment now up on the Wiki. Hopefully this is not necessary but - please do not ask for details of the regiments history post july, 1947, thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Potted history of the Regiment now up on the Wiki. Hopefully this is not necessary but - please do not ask for details of the regiments history post july, 1947, thanks, Why would that be Neil? Wouldn't this be on the net? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Jack, other than the publicly announced changes to structure due to defence expenditure reviews (read cuts) and a few personal anecdotes here and there (along the lines of "how do you deny access to an ammo dump for 24 hours - use a bottle of superglue" - no names, no dates, no locations) 21's (and 23's) operational history comes under the same rules etc. as 22's - not public domain. Some of 22's op's have come into public domain because Army pay is poor and former members have taken the difficult decision to take the money for their stories. This is not usually a problem for 21 and 23 because members have their civilian pay rather than depending on the whims of T.B. Liar and his minions. The only real "insider story" for 21 is "Quiet Soldier" by Adam ballinger and that only deals with the rigours of getting through selection and is considered by some required reading before attempting the process. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.JPG.fbe532a8a386c5010fe8daa1ff85aa23.JPG)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.