2nd Cadet Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps

In 1942 a Home Guard instruction was issued ordering each Home Guard battalion to raise a cadet unit. Lieutenant-Colonel R.L. Clark of Queen Victoria’s Rifles was given the task and on 15 May the Queen Victoria’s Rifles Cadet Corps was born. Over the next three years the unit expanded to five companies, which in April 1945 led to it being re-titled the 2nd Cadet Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps. In 1951 the 1st and 2nd Cadet Battalion were amalgamated. This resulted in the
disposal of the Headquarters of the 1st Cadet Battalion at 42 Sun Street. In 1954 the Battalion office of the ‘new’ 1st Cadet Battalion was established at 56 Davies Street, where it remains to this day.

Over the years large numbers of cadets have been associated with the Regiment, some through membership of the 1st and 2nd Battalion and others through membership of army or school forces affiliated to the Regiment. Many subsequently joined the Regular and Territorial Army, and especially the battalions of The King’s Rifle Corps. The link with public school cadet forces was especially important in ensuring a steady stream of able officers, while the others provided some of the Regiment’s best NCOs, a good proportion of whom were subsequently
commissioned. An especially close liaison was established with Eton College by which a 60th officer alternated with a Guardsman as Adjutant of the Officer Training Corps.

However, of all the Regiment’s cadet units, the 1st Cadet Battalion is the one that has most jealously guarded, through thick and thin, its links with its parent Regiment. Since 1894 it has proudly promoted and upheld the history heritage and traditions of the Regiment amongst its members. It has often excelled on the range and at sport. Its record of service and the dedication of its instructors have long been an inspiration and an example to others. Today, forty years after Regiment became a part of The Royal Green Jackets, the 1st Battalion continues to flourish as the last in the line, retaining its line and proudly wearing the cap badge of The King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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