The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border)

Origins

This unit was formed in 2006 by amalgamating three regiments from the north-west of England: The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, The King’s Regiment and The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment. These became the new unit’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions respectively.

Within a year of formation, 3rd Battalion had been absorbed into 1st. The two remaining regular battalions operate as light infantry.

Its designation as the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment is indirectly a royal title. Ever since Henry Bolingbroke seized the throne from Richard II in 1399, the reigning monarch has also held the title of the Duke of Lancaster.

Deployments

From 2006, 1st Battalion was based in Germany. It deployed to Iraq in 2007, before returning to England the following year. The battalion served in Afghanistan during 2012-13. It also serves as the Theatre Reserve Battalion in Cyprus for two in every six years.

Although mainly based in England, 2nd Battalion deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. After undertaking jungle training in Belize in 2008, it was posted to Cyprus for peacekeeping duties (2008-11) and then provided the Theatre Reserve Battalion for Afghanistan in 2009-10. The battalion returned to Afghanistan in 2013.

The regiment also has a 4th (Territorial) Battalion, which has served in Iraq, Cyprus and Afghanistan.

Recent years

In recent years, both regular battalions have deployed to North America, Kenya and Eastern Europe on training exercises.

In 2021, 2nd Battalion was transferred to the newly formed Ranger Regiment, becoming its 3rd Battalion. However, it remains affiliated with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.