 
Dates: 1917 - The Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment, previously known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps. The RTR is part the Royal Armoured Corps and is made up of two operational regiments, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. The corps has had more regiments over time going up as far as the 8th RTR. In 1923 it was officially named Royal (making it the Royal Tank Corps) by Colonel-in-Chief King George V. It was at this time that the motto Fear Naught, the black beret and the unit badge were adopted. The word Corps was replaced in 1939 with Regiment to give the unit its current name, the Royal Tank Regiment. In 1920, twelve Armoured Car Companies were set up as part of the Tank Corps, absorbing units from the Machine Gun Corps; eight were later converted into independent Light Tank Companies. All disbanded before the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1933 the 6th Battalion, Royal Tank Corps, was formed in Egypt by combining the personnel of two of these companies; in 1934, the 1st (Light) Battalion, Royal Tank Corps was formed in England with personnel from three of the existing battalions. With the preparations for war in the late 1930s a further two regular battalions were formed; the 7th in 1937 and the 8th in 1938. The 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th & 45th battalions were raised in 1938, being converted from Territorial Army infantry battalions, the 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th and 51st were likewise activated and converted in 1939. The twelve Yeomanry Armoured Car Companies of the RTR were all activated and transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps. Before the Second World War, Royal Tank Corps recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall. They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve. The creation of the Royal Tank Regiment was due to the invention of the Tank during the First World War. The official motto of the Royal Tank Regiment is Fear Naught which is inscribed on the RTR cap badge.
Memories of Royal Tank Regiment
Royal Tank Regiment, BATUS in 1973Written by David Whitehill Contact this person >>  "I was driving for the SQMS Sgt Milnes .We were tail end charlie in a convoy and had to keep an eye on a bulldozer at the back, as we got left behind by the main convoy i lost my bearings and drove over a near vertical drop. so far over that we could not reverse as the trailer brake was locked on, at the bottom of the hill we saw the rest of the convoy moving along the valley floor . I had no choice but to let the landrover go on down the hill in 1st gear. Much to the horror of Sgt milnes and the rest of the convoy . The dozor driver got the shock of his life when he followed us down. " Royal Tank Regiment, Missile trials Larkhill in 1972Written by Dvid Whitehill Contact this person >> "Drove a Mk5 Centution for trials on Salisbury Plain .Ran out of petrol on a run. had to go to the long range snippers with jerrycans to fill up. Then lost a track. Told some Paddy that the morris 8 side valve engine used as the aux geny was the main engine,he rushed off to tell his mates." Royal Tank Regiment, Rac Centre Bovington in 2010Written by David Whitehill Contact this person >> "Did my Centurion Driving training at Bovi. Our Cent' had no starter motor so had to bump start it. got to the top of the knifedge for the first time and stalled it. Balanced nicely on the top,the rest of the crew had to stand on the back deck to try and rock us off the top to restart the engine. Watched by a group of civvies parked on the side of the road." Royal Tank Regiment Detmold, in 1954Written by Gren "Taffy" Redmore Contact this person >> "Would like to hear from Stan Marshall ex 3rd R.T.R. used to live in Woolwich and married to Flo with a son named Kevin, also Wally Wade ex 3rd RTR and from Dorset I think. In my photo are the gang from "HQ" Field records in Bad Oeynhausen about 1954. Back row: Dicky. then myself, can’t remember next one, Leo Waite, can’t remember the next two. Front row: Bob Brandon Brummy), Jim and Rita Escott, it was their wedding party and Dickie’s Frau. Jimmy Jeal should have been there but was on leave. would love to hear from them" , Royal Tank Regiment in 1953Written by Dennis(Dave) Bryan Contact this person >> " After passing out at Catterick in 53 as a qualified Wireless Instructor i was posted to the 6th Royal Tank Regt. based in Munster where i was placed in SHQ troop of B sqdn as Major (Gunner) Greggs operator, the other lads in our troop were Derek (Bomber) Brown,Derek Hamilton,Sid Paul,Tom Eldridge and Don Woods "
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Royal Tank Regiment
" Hi ppl just looking to see if there is anyone left from the old squadron.I was in Germany from 1947 to 1949.(Able squadron 1st Royal Tank Regiment). I was stationed in Demold. I think Gough was in command. Last edited by John Stokoe"
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" Hi all still looking for anyone from the old squadron. The 1st Royal Tank Regiment. I was stationed in Demold Germany with the 7th Independent Armoured Brigade. My radio man was Baker and our driver was Smith. We had new gunners every time we went out, its hard to recall all their names. ..."
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" Captain Wallace was in the Territorial Army, Armoured, from 1939 to 1946. I have a wonderful picture of him and his unit (all 78 of them) that is big enough to easily identify anyone in it. He passed away in 1968 without telling me about his military service. I am his son, Ian, now living in the ..."
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" Hi all, i am helping my dad (John Stokoe ) search for his army pals. He started with the 1721 Lancers in Northumberline. Then went to germany in 1947. His commandar was Gough,,,Doey Baker (radio),,,Smith (driver) We are trying to find anyone from Able Squadron (Desert Rats). He has lots of ..."
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" Under the latest Defence Cuts it has today been announced that the Royal Tank Regiment is to lose all but one of its Tanks. In any future conflict members of the Regiment will fall in open order and advance towards the enemy lines shouting loudly "Clankity clank I’m a Tank" whilst being ..."
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