Dates: 1816 - 1966
The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) was a regiment of the British Army, and the first to use military camouflage. The purpose of the regiment, along with that of the 60th (later the King’s Royal Rifle Corps) was to be the sharpshooters, skirmishers and scouts of the British Army.
They were armed with the Baker rifle which, though it took twice as long to load and required a separate gunpowder (leading to supply issues), was considerably more accurate and effective at a longer range than the standard issue brown bess musket of the line regiments and regular light infantry companies.
The unit was raised in 1800 as an "Experimental Corps of Riflemen", then renamed the 95th Regiment of Foot in 1802. The 95th then became the Rifle Brigade in 1816.
This rifle was an accurate weapon for its day with reported kills being taken at 100 to 300 yards (270 m) away. During the Peninsula War, Rifleman Thomas Plunkett of the 1st Battalion, 95th Rifles shot the French General Auguste-Marie-Francois Colbert at a range that may have been even greater. He then shot a second French officer who rode to the general’s aid, proving that his was not just a lucky shot. By comparison, a standard issue Brown Bess musket stood only a one in three chance of hitting a man sized target at 50 yards.
The riflemen wore dark green jackets rather than the bright red coats of the British line infantry regiments of that time; pantaloons, which were close-fitting breeches, rather than wool breeches; black facings rather than white; a green plume on their shakoes which the light infantry also wore, as well as other accoutrements unique to rifles regiments.
There were twenty-one Rifle Brigade Battalions during WW1 which took part overseas in France and Flanders, Salonika, Western Front, Gallipoli, the Middle East and India.
The Regiment lost 11,575, awarded 1743 medals for bravery and 10 were also awarded the VC
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Rifle Brigade
" Hi all. I am researching my Family Tree and I know my Grandfather was in the Merchant Navy. Very, very little is known about him, apart from a medal, a certificate of sea service and a few snippits I have just been given by a cousin who is looking for him too. We know the following He was ..."
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" Since we seem to be getting into historical specifics let us get some things straight. South Gloucester Regiment ! I think the Gloucestshire Regiment was how they were known in Korea (the "Glorious"!) RGBW = Royal Berkshire plus Wiltshire plus Gloucestershire (retaining the Royal of Berkshire. ..."
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" nHI there everyone, New member here, -Would like to know if anyone still around who was in my old Regt. The Rifle Brigade (1949-51). There may be a few old wrinklys still around! TO jog anyones memory , there was R.S.M. Pearce C.S.M Rutledge. B.Coy. ..."
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" Any Ex Rifle Brigaders would like to be reminded that the annual Reunion is on 25th November at Union Jack club off of Waterloo Rd SE1 See you there, Danny Gill. "
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" Quoting: Lance Storey I have recently been given my Great Grandad’s WW1 medals. I have three which I have identified and the correct ribbons to get put on, they have his name, rank and service number on, but they also have RIF Brig which I guess was the part of the Army he served in??? now ..."
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