Battalion Commanding Officers through the ages.

Since the Worcestershire Regiment was raised in 1694 there has been many fine commanding officer. In an effort to preserve the history of these officer, this website is now starting to build up a record of as many as possible of Battalion Commanders. Over the years individual battalions have been raised and disbanded and in some cases officers have commanded more than one battalion in their army career.

Please keep checking this section as details will be added on an on going basis. Simply click on an image below to go to the relevant battalion section.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW OR THE BATTALION HEADING TO GET FULL DETAILS OF COMMANDING OFFICERS

1st BATTALION

 

2nd BATTALION

 

3rd BATTALION

1st BattalionRaised in London during 1694 by Colonel Thomas Farrington. In 1751 regiments were given numbers, and the Regiment was numbered 29. In 1781 the 29th Foot became the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment. In 1881 it became the 1st Battalion.

 

2nd BattalionIn 1702, Lord Charlemont raised in Ulster a regiment which became Charlemont's Regiment of Foot. In 1751, it became the 36th Foot, and in 1781 it became the 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment. In 1881 it became the 2nd Battalion.

 

3rd BattalionThe new 3rd Battalion was raised in Aldershot on the 14th February 1900. Initially the battalion was quartered at Blenheim Barracks, North Camp, Aldershot, together with the 4th Battalion. The 3rd Battalion was Commanded by Lieut-Col. M. V. Hilton.

4th BATTALION

 

5th BATTALION

 

6th BATTALION

4th BattalionThe 4th Battalion was formed at Aldershot in February 1900 was first quartered at Blenheim Barracks, North Camp. The Battalion was then raised in Ireland on the 10th March 1900, commanded by Colonel A. G. Chesney.

 

5th BattalionIn 1900 the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, originally known as the 1st Battalion of the old Worcestershire Militia until 1881, was renumbered the 5th Battalion. In 1905 it became known as the “Special Reserve”, commanded by Colonel S. A. Stephenson-Fetherstonbaugh.

 

6th BattalionIn 1900 the 4th (Militia) Battalion, originally known as the 2nd Battalion of the old Worcestershire Militia until 1881, was renumbered the 6th Battalion. In 1905 it became known as the “Special Reserve”, Commanded Officer Colonel H. E. E. Everard.

7th BATTALION

 

8th BATTALION

 

9th BATTALION

7th BattalionIn 1908 the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment became the 7th Battalion (Territorial Force) of the Worcestershire Regiment as part of Lord Haldane’s new administration. The command of the battalion was held by Colonel E. V. V. Wheeler.

 

8th BattalionIn 1908 the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment became the 8th Battalion (Territorial Force) of the Worcestershire Regiment as part of Lord Haldane’s new administration. Commanded by Lieut.-Colonel W. K. Peake.

 

9th BattalionThe 9th Battalion was raised in the County of Worcestershire in September 1914. Its first commanding officer was Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Sykes. After the sad death of Colonel Sykes the command passed in January 1915 to the veteran Lieut.-Colonel M. H. Nunn.

10th BATTALION

 

11th BATTALION

 

12th BATTALION

10th BattalionAt Worcester in September 1914, Colonel A. G. Chesney, who had formerly raised the 4th Battalion, now raised the new 10th Battalion. Disbanded after WW1 the Battalion was raised again in August 1939 under the Lieut.-Col. Kettle.

 

11th BattalionThe 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment was raised in Worcester in September 1914, commanded by Colonel R. M. Rainev-Robinson, it was part of the Third New Army and as such the 11th Battalion was in the 78th Brigade of the 26th Division.

 

12th Battalion12th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment was formed at Plymouth in November 1914. Commanded by Lieut.-Col. Sir E. H. St. L. Clarke. However, before the formation was finalised it was convert to a training unit to supply reinforcements.

13th BATTALION

 

14th BATTALION

 

15th BATTALION

13th BattalionThe 13th Battalion was formed at Plymouth in November 1914 under the command of Lieut.- Colonel H. de B. Hovell D.S.O. The 13th Battalion never went overseas, but instead sent abroad the soldiers they had trained in drafts to the other Battalions.

 

14th BattalionIn 1915, Colonel Sir Henry Webb raised at his own expense, a complete Pioneer battalion, known first as the “Severn Valley Pioneers” and later designated the 14th (Pioneer) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.

 

15th BattalionThe 15th Battalion was formed in December 1916 under the command of Captain (temp. Lieut.-Colonel) P. A. Hopkins. of the 13th London Regiment. The Battalion was absorbed with the 16th Battalion in May 1919 and disbanded at Fleetwood in July 1919.

16th BATTALION

 

17th BATTALION

 

18th BATTALION

16th BattalionThe 16th Battalion was formed as a Transport Workers Battalion in April 1917 under the command of Lieut.-Colonel C. Stewart of the 6th H.L.I. The unit was stationed in Bristol, Southampton and Swindon. Disbanded at Fleetwood July 1919.

 

17th BattalionIn March 1918 new Garrison Guard Battalions were formed. The 1st of which was commanded by Lieut.-Col. T. W. T. Isaac. This was allotted to the Worcestershire Regiment, becoming the 17th (Garrison) and in June 1916 it was converted to a Pioneer Battalion.

 

18th BattalionFormed in July 1919 at Sutton Coldfield but disbanded shortly afterwards in September 1919. It brief existence was due to the First World War but strictly it was never classified as a wartime battalion. Little detail is know of this unit.

1st (Reserve)
GARRISON BATTALION

 

DEPOT
(NORTON BARRACKS)

 

WORCESTER
MILITIA

Garrison BattalionThis unit was formed in January 1916 at Fort Monckton, Portsmouth under the command of Colonel G. W. Lewis.
The Battalion was stationed in Portsmouth, Ryde and Dublin. If was absorbed into the 5th Battalion in Dublin and disbanded in July 1919.

 

DepotThe Depot has played an important role for the Regiment over the years. Many officers who command the Depot later went on to command one or more of the Infantry Battalions of the Regiment.

 

MilitiaThe Militia dates back to 1181 and before. The Worcestershire Regiment of Militia, was re-formed in 1770 and then remained mainly unchanged until 1881 when it changed to form two Battalions, 3rd and 4th (Militia).

 

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