Inns of Court Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Inns of Court Regiment (ICR) was a British Army
regiment
which existed under that name between May 1932 and May 1961. However, the unit traces its lineage back much further, to at least 1584, and its name lives on within The Inns of Court & City and Essex Yeomanry (formed through merger in 2009).
in Holborn, London appears to have been in 1584, when associations (Trained bands) - not of the musical variety - were formed to assist in the defence of the country from the Spanish Armada. (The deed itself, associating the members of Lincoln's Inn, is still in existence, having been preserved by Thomas Egerton
, then Solicitor-General, and afterwards Chancellor, who was the first to sign it.) Previously, judges had been called upon to perform functions which in these days would be hardly considered to come within the judicial office, and so members of the Inns found themselves fighting in the wars of King John or against Robert Bruce
. One such defence was organised in 1381 against Watt Tyler, during the Peasant's Revolt (when the Chief Justice was killed); another recalls how the Chief Justice of the Exchequer, when Recorder of the city of London, was instrumental in defeating the Lancastrian attack on the city of London in 1467; and accounts such as 'Machyn's Diary' (1554) tell of more localised defences when "On the xij day of Juin was a gret fray be-twyn the Lord Warden's servants of Kent and the Ines of Greys Inn and Lynkolne(s) Inn, and some sleyn and hurt."
Their history is just as ambiguous thereafter, although many lawyers were known to join the Royalists, and their clerks the Parliamentarians, during the English Civil War. Certainly members of The Inns were called out against the Jacobite invasion of 1745 and the Gordon riots of 1780. Indeed, future Prime Minister, William Pitt
, served in the Lincoln's Inn Company.
The Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Volunteers were reformed in 1797 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was shortly afterwards that the Regiment gained its enduring nickname. During a review by King George III
in Hyde Park
in 1803, King George used his dislike for lawyers – particularly ones carrying arms – to name the massed ranks of the Law Association as "The Devil's Own". "It is understood that the King was in high health and excellent spirits at the time. When the 'Temple companies' had defiled before him, his Majesty enquired of Lord David Erskine
, who commanded them, as lieutenant colonel, what was the composition of that corps? 'They are all lawyers, Sire,' said Erskine. 'What! What! 'exclaimed the King, 'all lawyers? all lawyers? Call them the Devil's Own, call them the Devil's Own!" "And the Devil's Own they were called accordingly." Even at the present day this appellation has not wholly died away.
The modern history of the Regiment began again in 1859, shortly after Crimea, with the formation of the 23rd Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps. In 1881, the unit became a battalion of the Rifle Brigade and was renamed the 14th Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1889. The Regiment then formed part of the 2nd London Volunteer Brigade and the "Grey Brigade". In 1888 a mounted infantry detachment was formed and subsequently became known as "B" (M.I.) Company, and a contingent of 30 mounted infantry, 19 cyclists and 1 signaller joined the City Imperial Volunteers for service in South Africa during the Boer War.
In 1908 the Territorial Force was formed and the Regiment became the 27th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
(Inns of Court); but almost immediately it was changed into an officer training unit under the designation the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (I.C.O.T.C.) with responsibility for training literally thousands of British officers prior to their deployment on the front line. The Regiment had an establishment of one squadron of cavalry (I.C.O.T.C. Squadron, formerly "B" (M.I.) Company) and three companies of infantry. In 1914, the Inns of Court Reserve Corps was formed, consisting of former members of the Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers; and in 1917 the 1st Cadet Battalion, Inns of Court, was formed to train boys under military age.
In 1920 the Regiment was reformed with an establishment of one squadron of cavalry and two companies of infantry. Its designation was changed to the Inns of Court Regiment (ICR) in 1932 when it was again reorganised along similar lines. The two infantry companies were converted to light tank cavalry squadrons in 1937 and two years later formed the Royal Armoured Corps Wing, Sandhurst. In 1939 the mounted squadron joined a cavalry training regiment in Edinburgh, but this was disbanded in 1940. From January 23, 1941 until January 15, 1943, the regiment was part of the 9th Armoured Division in Great Britain. From 1943, it was under the direct command of 1 Corps, the assault formation of 21 Army Group and later led the advance of 11th Armoured Division.
On D-Day
, "C" Squadron of the regiment landed on Juno Beach
with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
. During the campaign in Northwest Europe of 1944-45, the Inns of Court, organized as an armoured car regiment
, was the reconnaissance
asset of the I Corps.
On 1 April 1947, the Regiment was again reformed, as the Armoured Car Regiment of the 56th (London) Armoured Division, T.A., later to become the Reconnaissance Regiment of the 54th East Anglian Division. In 1956, the Northamptonshire Yeomanry
was reduced to one squadron and amalgamated with the Inns of Court Regiment as "The Northamptonshire Yeomanry "D" Squadron, The Inns of Court Regiment". This was reversed when, in 1961, The Inns of Court Regiment amalgamated with the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) to form The Inns of Court & City Yeomanry.
Following further defence reforms, the unit became known as 68 (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron from 1 April 1969, when, with an establishment of 8 officers and 85 other ranks, it became part of the newly formed the 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment
(Volunteers), which itself had been formed from the recently disbanded yeomanry regiments.
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
which existed under that name between May 1932 and May 1961. However, the unit traces its lineage back much further, to at least 1584, and its name lives on within The Inns of Court & City and Essex Yeomanry (formed through merger in 2009).
History
The first organised body formed by the Inns of CourtInns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
in Holborn, London appears to have been in 1584, when associations (Trained bands) - not of the musical variety - were formed to assist in the defence of the country from the Spanish Armada. (The deed itself, associating the members of Lincoln's Inn, is still in existence, having been preserved by Thomas Egerton
Thomas Egerton
Thomas Egerton may refer to:*Thomas Egerton , Under-Treasurer of the Royal Mint*Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley *Thomas Egerton, 1st Earl of Wilton *Thomas Egerton, 2nd Earl of Wilton...
, then Solicitor-General, and afterwards Chancellor, who was the first to sign it.) Previously, judges had been called upon to perform functions which in these days would be hardly considered to come within the judicial office, and so members of the Inns found themselves fighting in the wars of King John or against Robert Bruce
Robert Bruce
Robert Bruce or Robert the Bruce may refer to:*Robert the Bruce, King of Scots , Earl of Carrick and Lord of Annandale; victor at the Battle of Bannockburn*Robert Bruce , his illegitimate son...
. One such defence was organised in 1381 against Watt Tyler, during the Peasant's Revolt (when the Chief Justice was killed); another recalls how the Chief Justice of the Exchequer, when Recorder of the city of London, was instrumental in defeating the Lancastrian attack on the city of London in 1467; and accounts such as 'Machyn's Diary' (1554) tell of more localised defences when "On the xij day of Juin was a gret fray be-twyn the Lord Warden's servants of Kent and the Ines of Greys Inn and Lynkolne(s) Inn, and some sleyn and hurt."
Their history is just as ambiguous thereafter, although many lawyers were known to join the Royalists, and their clerks the Parliamentarians, during the English Civil War. Certainly members of The Inns were called out against the Jacobite invasion of 1745 and the Gordon riots of 1780. Indeed, future Prime Minister, William Pitt
William Pitt
William Pitt is most likely to refer to:* William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , Prime Minister of Great Britain 1766–1768; often known as William Pitt the Elder...
, served in the Lincoln's Inn Company.
The Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Volunteers were reformed in 1797 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was shortly afterwards that the Regiment gained its enduring nickname. During a review by King George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
in 1803, King George used his dislike for lawyers – particularly ones carrying arms – to name the massed ranks of the Law Association as "The Devil's Own". "It is understood that the King was in high health and excellent spirits at the time. When the 'Temple companies' had defiled before him, his Majesty enquired of Lord David Erskine
David Erskine
David Erskine may refer to:*David Erskine, 2nd Lord Cardross *David Erskine, Lord Dun *David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan , Scottish eccentric*David Erskine...
, who commanded them, as lieutenant colonel, what was the composition of that corps? 'They are all lawyers, Sire,' said Erskine. 'What! What! 'exclaimed the King, 'all lawyers? all lawyers? Call them the Devil's Own, call them the Devil's Own!" "And the Devil's Own they were called accordingly." Even at the present day this appellation has not wholly died away.
The modern history of the Regiment began again in 1859, shortly after Crimea, with the formation of the 23rd Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps. In 1881, the unit became a battalion of the Rifle Brigade and was renamed the 14th Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1889. The Regiment then formed part of the 2nd London Volunteer Brigade and the "Grey Brigade". In 1888 a mounted infantry detachment was formed and subsequently became known as "B" (M.I.) Company, and a contingent of 30 mounted infantry, 19 cyclists and 1 signaller joined the City Imperial Volunteers for service in South Africa during the Boer War.
In 1908 the Territorial Force was formed and the Regiment became the 27th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
London Regiment
The London Regiment is a Territorial Army regiment in the British Army. It was first formed in 1908 in order to regiment the various Volunteer Force battalions in the newly formed County of London, each battalion having a distinctive uniform. The Volunteer Force was merged with the Yeomanry in 1908...
(Inns of Court); but almost immediately it was changed into an officer training unit under the designation the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (I.C.O.T.C.) with responsibility for training literally thousands of British officers prior to their deployment on the front line. The Regiment had an establishment of one squadron of cavalry (I.C.O.T.C. Squadron, formerly "B" (M.I.) Company) and three companies of infantry. In 1914, the Inns of Court Reserve Corps was formed, consisting of former members of the Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers; and in 1917 the 1st Cadet Battalion, Inns of Court, was formed to train boys under military age.
In 1920 the Regiment was reformed with an establishment of one squadron of cavalry and two companies of infantry. Its designation was changed to the Inns of Court Regiment (ICR) in 1932 when it was again reorganised along similar lines. The two infantry companies were converted to light tank cavalry squadrons in 1937 and two years later formed the Royal Armoured Corps Wing, Sandhurst. In 1939 the mounted squadron joined a cavalry training regiment in Edinburgh, but this was disbanded in 1940. From January 23, 1941 until January 15, 1943, the regiment was part of the 9th Armoured Division in Great Britain. From 1943, it was under the direct command of 1 Corps, the assault formation of 21 Army Group and later led the advance of 11th Armoured Division.
On D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
, "C" Squadron of the regiment landed on Juno Beach
Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. The sector spanned from Saint-Aubin, a village just east of the British Gold sector, to Courseulles, just west of the British Sword sector...
with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
. During the campaign in Northwest Europe of 1944-45, the Inns of Court, organized as an armoured car regiment
Armoured car regiment
Armoured Car Regiments were reconnaissance units employed by the British Army during the 20th century. The primary equipment of these units was the armoured car with many different types of armoured cars serving in the regiments during the Second World War and the Cold War. An armoured car...
, was the reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
asset of the I Corps.
On 1 April 1947, the Regiment was again reformed, as the Armoured Car Regiment of the 56th (London) Armoured Division, T.A., later to become the Reconnaissance Regiment of the 54th East Anglian Division. In 1956, the Northamptonshire Yeomanry
Northamptonshire Yeomanry
The Northamptonshire Yeomanry was a unit of the British Army formed in 1794 as volunteer cavalry, it later served in an armoured role before being reduced to squadron level in 1956...
was reduced to one squadron and amalgamated with the Inns of Court Regiment as "The Northamptonshire Yeomanry "D" Squadron, The Inns of Court Regiment". This was reversed when, in 1961, The Inns of Court Regiment amalgamated with the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) to form The Inns of Court & City Yeomanry.
Following further defence reforms, the unit became known as 68 (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron from 1 April 1969, when, with an establishment of 8 officers and 85 other ranks, it became part of the newly formed the 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment
71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment
71 Signal Regiment is a Territorial Army regiment in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army. The regiment forms part of 2 Signal Brigade, providing military communications for national operations....
(Volunteers), which itself had been formed from the recently disbanded yeomanry regiments.
Battle honours
- South Africa 1900–01
- The Second World War:
- Normandy Landing · Caen · Bourguébus Ridge · Cagny · Catheolles · Amiens 1944 · Antwerp · Hechtel · Rhine · Leese · Aller · North-West Europe 1944–45
Sources
- Norton, F.C., A short history of the military & naval services of the Inns of Court and the members of the Bench and the Bar, 1886, William Clowes & Sons, Stamford Street and Charing Cross, London