The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers St George's Day 1968 - A new regiment is formed

On 23 April 1968, St George's Day, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was formed. Four famous English Fusilier regiments joined together to create a new single regiment.

The 5th of Foot, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers had itself formed up in 1967. Across its history it had built a formidable reputation, producing 52 battalions during the First World War. In April 1968 it was based in Kirton in Lindsay having recently returned from an operational tour in Aden.

The 6th of Foot, the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers, was also formed in 1674. It too served wherever the British Army needed it and was one of the units to land on the Normandy beaches on D Day, 6 June 1944. In April 1968 it was based in Watchet Camp, Somerset.

The 7th of Foot, the Royal Fusiliers, was raised at the Tower of London in 1685 at the order of King James II. It fought in some of the most significant conflicts in history, including the American War of Independence, The Napoleonic Wars, The Crimean War, First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. In April 1968 it was based in Sharjah, the UAE.

The 20th of Foot, usually shown in Roman numerals XX, the Lancashire Fusiliers was the youngest fusilier regiment raised in 1688. It famously guarded Napoleon in his final years on the island of St Helena and won six Victoria Crosses in a single morning on the beaches of Gallipoli. In April 1968 it was based in Hong Kong.

Between these, the new regiment inherited 1,151 years of service, traditions and spirit.

As the sun went down on St George's Day their new titles were the First, Second, Third and Fourth Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

This film provides a snapshot of each parade on that day. Some of the footage is very grainy, being shot on hand held cine cameras which were state of the art for the time.

The recollections are from fusiliers who either watched or were on the parades on that day.

Fusilier Stories is a project by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers to capture and tell its own story through the memories of fusiliers, and their families, who have served.

It is produced by Big ears Productions.
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