Dates: 1881 - 1994
The Gloucestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Nicknamed "The Glorious Glosters", the regiment carried more battle honours on their colours than any other British Army line regiment.
The origins of the regiment lie in the regiment formed in Portsmouth in 1694 by Colonel John Gibson. This was named the 28th Regiment of Foot in 1751. And renamed in 1782 as the 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot. After the Childers reforms, the regiment amalgamated with the 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot to form the two-battalion Gloucestershire Regiment on 1 July 1881
The regiment saw active service in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902. World War I began in August 1914 and during the course of the war, the regiment raised 25 battalions, seeing service on the Western Front, Gallipoli, Macedonia, the Middle East and Italy.
World War II began after Germany’s invasion of Poland on 1 September, Britain, France, and its Allies declaring war on Nazi Germany on 3 September. The 2nd battalion was involved in the Battle of France after Germany’s invasion of the Low Countries on 8 May 1940, taking part in the defensive screen protecting the Dunkirk evacuation. The 1st battalion saw active service in Burma against Japanese forces and was later involved in the North-West Europe campaign after taking part in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.
The regiment saw heavy fighting in the Korean War. After their actions at Gloster Hill during the Battle of the Imjin River in 1951, following which the regiment was awarded the South Korean Distinguished Unit Citation and United States Distinguished Unit Citation, the regiment gained the nickname "The Glorious Glosters", for its heroic stand against overwhelming Chinese forces.
The regiment was one of the British Army’s most battle honoured units, and amalgamated with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment in 1994 to form the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Gloucestershire Regiment
" My father Private Ivor George Thomas was killed in action in Burma on the 1st. May 1942. I have tried, and am still trying to find anyone who may have known him in an effort to discover information about him and his death. His Army number was 4202154 1st Battalion Gloucestershire ..."
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" For many years I have been trying to find information about my father who was killed in action in Burma when I was a baby. Any information would be greatly appreciated as would contact from anyone who knew him. Private Ivor George Thomas Enlisted Royal Welsh Fusiliers 30 May 1940, transferred ..."
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" HELLO EVERYONE I AM LOKING FOR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME FIND OUT ABOUT MY GRANDAD LANCE CORPORAL SAM HILLMAM WHO WAS IN THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT WHICH I THINK WAS PART OF THE 61ST BATT.HE WAS KILLED IN AUGUST 1944 IN RANVILLE FRANCE.I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFO THAT WOULD HELP ME FIND OUT ..."
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" I am looking for my Grans penpal from 1955-56. Now in her mid 70’s over the years she has always spoken very fondly of him, but also with a great sadness of how circumstances ended up with them losing touch. I would dearly like to find him and put the pals back in touch. His name is ..."
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" missed of 1btn Gloucestershire Regiment 28th/61st come on there has to be a lot of the glosters out there, so come on you slashers [Tiebackground028glos.jpg]"
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