Soldier Soldier
Encyclopedia
Soldier Soldier is a British television
drama
series. The title comes from a traditional song of the same name.
Produced by Central Television and broadcast on the ITV
network, it ran for a total of seven series and 82 episodes from 1991 to 1997. It featured the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'B' Company, 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers, a fictional British Army
infantry regiment. Set in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War
, it is regarded as an accurate depiction of army life in the early to mid 1990s, when the British Army was undergoing significant change. This is perhaps best demonstrated during the third series, around 1994, when a significant number of real regiments were forced into amalgamations with each other due to downsizing of the army. In the world of Soldier Soldier, the King's Fusiliers are also forced to amalgamate with another fictional regiment, becoming the King's Own Fusiliers. At the time Soldier Soldier was broadcast, the fatality rate was low with most casualties due to training accidents and suicides. The military as a whole was reduced to performing more peacekeeping
missions than actually doing any fighting. As a consequence, the show served well to portray the army, despite the domestic problems that could occur, in a fairly good light.
Although many well known and not so well known actors appeared in Soldier Soldier over the period it was broadcast, perhaps the best known are Robson Green
and Jerome Flynn
, who portrayed Fusilier
Dave Tucker and Sergeant
Paddy Garvey respectively. It was their performance of "Unchained Melody
" in an episode of the series that propelled them to stardom, giving them several number one songs and a best selling album. Both actors left the series in 1995, following which viewing figures began to decline, leading to the series being cancelled in 1997.
TV presenter Chris Kelly
wrote and produced some episodes of the series.
regiments, the King's Own Fusiliers wears a hackle
in its head-dress; this is coloured dark blue over white. Initially, the regiment was called the "King's Fusiliers"; however in the third series of Soldier Soldier, which took place during the Options for Change
military reforms, the King's Fusiliers was forced to amalgamate with another regiment, "The Cumbrians (Duke of Rutland's Own)"; although attempts were made by the Cumbrians to keep the new regiment as an ordinary infantry regiment, rather than a fusilier regiment, the regimental commander of the King's Fusiliers found in his research that, at some point during their history, the Cumbrians had served as fusiliers. As a result, the new regiment was named the "King's Own Fusiliers".
During its time in Windsor, in addition to other duties, the King's Own Fusiliers provided the guard
at Buckingham Palace
, the Tower of London
and Windsor Castle
.
as a marker, it would be reasonable to assume that the regiment is from somewhere in the north of England
, given that it is amalgamated with a regiment from Cumbria
. In addition, the regiment's collar dogs are in the form of a stylised rose, suggesting the Red Rose of Lancashire. This suggests that the regiment is part of the King's Division
.
with regards to the armed forces would have been addressed; the wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq
may have led to the regiment being deployed operationally, while the defence review
of 2004 would probably have resulted in the King's Own Fusiliers, as a single battalion regiment, being forced to amalgamate again, this time as part of a large, multi-battalion regiment with another north-west regiment.
The cap badge
of the King's Own Fusiliers features the lion surmounting the crown, which is the recognised symbol of the British Army, within the band of the Order of the Garter
. Surmounting the garter band is the traditional flame that indicates a fusilier regiment. (Note - in Crush (Red Cap
episode 1.2), the Royal Cambrian Fusiliers wore the same cap badge and hackle as the King's Own Fusiliers).
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
series. The title comes from a traditional song of the same name.
Produced by Central Television and broadcast on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network, it ran for a total of seven series and 82 episodes from 1991 to 1997. It featured the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'B' Company, 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers, a fictional British Army
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...
infantry regiment. Set in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, it is regarded as an accurate depiction of army life in the early to mid 1990s, when the British Army was undergoing significant change. This is perhaps best demonstrated during the third series, around 1994, when a significant number of real regiments were forced into amalgamations with each other due to downsizing of the army. In the world of Soldier Soldier, the King's Fusiliers are also forced to amalgamate with another fictional regiment, becoming the King's Own Fusiliers. At the time Soldier Soldier was broadcast, the fatality rate was low with most casualties due to training accidents and suicides. The military as a whole was reduced to performing more peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
missions than actually doing any fighting. As a consequence, the show served well to portray the army, despite the domestic problems that could occur, in a fairly good light.
Although many well known and not so well known actors appeared in Soldier Soldier over the period it was broadcast, perhaps the best known are Robson Green
Robson Green
Robson Green is an English actor, singer–songwriter and presenter.-Biography:Robson Golightly Green was born in Hexham, Northumberland, and baptised in Bethel Chapel, , and named in Northeast tradition as first son after family surnames: Robson is his grandmother's maiden surname, while Golightly...
and Jerome Flynn
Jerome Flynn
Jerome Flynn is an English actor best known for his role as Corporal Paddy Garvey of the King's Fusiliers in the ITV series Soldier Soldier....
, who portrayed Fusilier
Fusilier
Fusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
Dave Tucker and Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Paddy Garvey respectively. It was their performance of "Unchained Melody
Unchained Melody
"Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. It has become one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, by some counts having spawned over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages....
" in an episode of the series that propelled them to stardom, giving them several number one songs and a best selling album. Both actors left the series in 1995, following which viewing figures began to decline, leading to the series being cancelled in 1997.
TV presenter Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly (TV presenter)
Chris Kelly Chris Kelly Chris Kelly (born 24 April 1940, Cuddington, Cheshire, is an English TV presenter, producer and writer.-Education:Kelly was educated at Downside School, a Catholic independent school in Stratton-on-the-Fosse in Somerset, followed by the University of...
wrote and produced some episodes of the series.
Cast
- Lance CorporalLance CorporalLance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
(demoted later to) Fusilier Dave Tucker … Robson GreenRobson GreenRobson Green is an English actor, singer–songwriter and presenter.-Biography:Robson Golightly Green was born in Hexham, Northumberland, and baptised in Bethel Chapel, , and named in Northeast tradition as first son after family surnames: Robson is his grandmother's maiden surname, while Golightly... - CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
(later Sergeant)SergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Paddy Garvey … Jerome FlynnJerome FlynnJerome Flynn is an English actor best known for his role as Corporal Paddy Garvey of the King's Fusiliers in the ITV series Soldier Soldier.... - SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
(demoted later to) CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
Tony Wilton … Gary LoveGary LoveGary Love is a British actor and film director. He is best known for playing the role of Sergeant Tony Wilton in the award winning series Soldier Soldier.... - Donna Tucker … Rosie RowellRosie RowellRosie Rowell is a British actress, probably best known for her roles as Eileen Callan in Family Affairs and Donna Tucker in Soldier Soldier...
- Joy Wilton … Annabelle ApsionAnnabelle ApsionAnnabelle Apsion is an English actress, best known for playing Monica Gallagher in the hit television comedy-drama Shameless, which she played intermittently between 2004 and 2006, before becoming a regular cast member for the show's fourth series in 2007. She left the show in 2008 in order to...
- Marsha Stubbs … Denise WelchDenise WelchJacqueline Denise Healy is an English actress, dancer and television presenter.-Early life:Denise Welch was born in Ebchester, County Durham, to father Vin and mother Ann and has a younger sister Debbie...
- Sergeant Nancy Garvey RMPRoyal Military PoliceThe Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
… Holly Aird - Sergeant Brad Connor … Richard DillaneRichard DillaneRichard Dillane is an English actor. He appeared as Merv, the husband of Margaret Humphreys in Jim Loach's fact-based movie Oranges and Sunshine, as Wernher von Braun in the BBC television docudrama Space Race, as Nero in Howard Brenton's play Paul at the National Theatre of GB and as Stephen...
- CSMCompany Sergeant MajorA company sergeant major is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for standards and discipline. In combat, his prime responsibility is the supply of ammunition to the company...
(later Lieutenant)LieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Michael Stubbs … Rob SpendloveRob SpendloveRob Spendlove is a British actor best known for his roles on UK Television.He studied drama at Middlesex Polytechnic, worked as a teacher and toured schools with a fringe theatre company.... - Major Kieran Voce … Dorian HealyDorian HealyDorian Healy is best known for his role as Cpt/Maj Kieran Voce in the award winning drama series Soldier Soldier .He conceived and co-wrote the TV series Masculine Mescaline with Soldier Soldier co-star Gary Love ....
- CaptainCaptain (British Army and Royal Marines)Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
Kate Voce … Lesley VickerageLesley VickerageLesley Vickerage is an English actress best known for her roles as WPC Jenny Dean in the British television series Between the Lines and as Helen Lynley in the British television series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.... - Captain Jeremy Forsythe … Ben NealonBen NealonBen Nealon is best known for playing 2nd Lt/Lt/Cpt Jeremy Forsythe in the ITV award winning series Soldier Soldier.He has been in TV series such as Bugs, Casualty, The Bill and Eastenders....
- Major Tim Forrester … James CallisJames CallisJames Callis is a British actor. He is best known for playing Dr. Gaius Baltar in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, and Bridget Jones' best friend in Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
- Captain Sadie Williams … Sophie DixSophie DixSophie Dix is best known for her role as Cpt Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier.She has had other roles such as in The Bill, Benidorm, Between The Lines and Holby City.-External links:* at the Internet Movie Database...
- Lieutenant Colonel Dan Fortune … Miles AndersonMiles AndersonMiles Anderson is a Zimbabwean actor. He has lived in England and America for the last 40 years.He was born in 1947 in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Educated at Prince Edward school, his father commanded the Rhodesian Army until dismissed by Premier Ian Smith for his stance against racism and a...
- Lieutenant Colonel Paul Philips … Duncan BellDuncan Bell (actor)Duncan Bell is a Scottish stage and screen actor.In September 2001 he played Sergeant Dennis Merton in Britain's biggest TV drama series Heartbeat...
- Major Rory Taylor … Dougray ScottDougray Scott-Early life:The son of Elma, a nurse, and Alan Scott, an actor and salesperson, Stephen Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife and attended Auchmuty High School...
- Lieutenant Colonel Philip Drysdale … James CosmoJames CosmoJames Cosmo is a prolific Scottish actor, with numerous credits in film and television since the late 1960s and Cosmo is still currently acting. Cosmo was born in Clydebank, Scotland, the son of actor James Copeland...
- Lieutenant Colonel Nick Hammond … Robert GwilymRobert GwilymRobert Gwilym , sometimes known as Bob Gwilym, is a Welsh actor.Robert Gwilym is from Neath in south Wales, where his family owned a clothes shop...
- Major Tom Cadman … David HaigDavid HaigDavid Haig is an Olivier Award-winning English actor and FIPA Award-winning writer. He is known for his versatility, having played dramatic, serio-comic and comedic roles, playing characters of varied social classes...
- Lieutenant Nick Pascoe … Peter WingfieldPeter WingfieldPeter Wingfield is a Welsh born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in Holby City, Dr. Robert Helm in Queen of Swords and Inspector Simon Ross in Cold Squad...
- Lieutenant Colonel Ian Jennings … John Bowe
- Fusilier Luke Roberts … Akin Mogaji
- Fusilier Eddie Nelson … Paterson JosephPaterson Joseph-Career:Born in London. Attended Cardinal Hinsley R.C High School in North West London. Joseph first trained at the Studio '68 of Theatre Arts, London – 1983–85 with Robert Henderson, then at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art . In recent years he has had a high number of roles in...
- Fusilier Joe Farrell … David Groves
- Fusilier Andy Butcher … Danny Cunningham
- Lance CorporalLance CorporalLance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
Steve Evans … Shaun DingwallShaun DingwallShaun Dingwall is a British actor and is known for his roles on British television.-Early life:Shaun Dingwall was born in 1972 and attended Ilford County High School for boys. His initial ambition was to become a photographer and for several years he worked as an assistant photographer within the... - Colette Daly … Angela ClarkeAngela ClarkeAngela Clarke is an English actress best known for playing Colette Daly in the television drama series Soldier Soldier...
- Major James McCudden … John McGlynn
- Major Bob Cochrane … Simon Donald
- Fusilier Vinny Bowles … Jack DeamJack DeamJack Deam is an English actor. He used his Grandfather's name for his stage name. His most notable performance is of the pyromaniac Marty Fisher, who has Tourette syndrome, in Channel 4's Shameless....
- Sheena Bowles … Lena Headey
- Lieutenant Colonel Mark Osbourne … Patrick DruryPatrick DruryPatrick Drury is a character actor best remembered for playing shopkeeper John O'Leary in the Channel 4 comedy Father Ted. Drury was married to actress Caroline Langrishe before divorcing in 1995. They have two daughters, Rosalind and Leonie....
- Major Tim Radley … Adrian Rawlins
- Sandra Radley … Suzanne BurdenSuzanne BurdenSuzanne Burden is a British actress.A graduate of RADA, she has appeared on television, and occasionally in films, since the early 1980s. Her best known television work is probably as Esther Summerson in Bleak House...
- Laura Cadman Cathryn HarrisonCathryn HarrisonCathryn Mary Lee Harrison is an English actress. Cathryn was baptised on 27 September 1959 at St. John's Church, Hampstead, London, England....
- Colour Sergeant Ian Anderson - Robert GlenisterRobert GlenisterRobert Lewis Glenister is a British actor known for his roles as con man Ash "Three Socks" Morgan in the British TV series Hustle, and Nicholas Blake in the BBC spy drama Spooks.-Career:...
- Carol Anderson - Melanie KilburnMelanie KilburnMelanie Kilburn is an English actress, well known for playing PC Laura Bryant in ITV's, The Bill....
- Clare Anderson - Samantha MortonSamantha MortonSamantha Jane Morton is an English actress and film director. She began her performing career with guest roles in television shows such as Soldier Soldier and Boon before making her film debut in the 1997 drama film This Is the Sea, playing the character of Hazel Stokes...
- James Anderson - Gareth ParringtonGareth ParringtonGareth Parrington is a former child actor who appeared in Boon, Soldier, Soldier and Harry's Mad.Parrington played the part of a young boy in Boon, then James Anderson in Soldier, Soldier and the lead character Harry Holdsworth in the CITV comedy-drama Harry's Mad...
Series 1
- "All the King's Men" (10 June 1991)
- "Fun and Games" (17 June 1991)
- "Dirty Work" (24 June 1991)
- "Fighting Spirit" (1 July 1991)
- "Battlefields" (8 July 1991)
- "Loyal to the Corps" (15 July 1991)
- "Flying Colours" (22 July 1991)
Series 2
- "A Man's Life" (21 September 1992)
- "Something Old, Something New" (28 September 1992)
- "A Touch of the Sun" (5 October 1992)
- "Lifelines" (12 October 1992)
- "Saving Face" (19 October 1992)
- "Lost and Found" (26 October 1992)
- "The Last Post" (2 November 1992)
Series 3
- "Shifting Sands" (7 September 1993)
- "Live Fire" (14 September 1993)
- "Base Details" (21 September 1993)
- "Fall Out" (28 September 1993)
- "Disintegration" (5 October 1993)
- "Hide and Seek" (12 October 1993)
- "Trouble and Strife" (19 October 1993)
- "Hard Knocks" (26 October 1993)
- "Camouflage" (2 November 1993)
- "Staying Together" (9 November 1993)
- "Dutch Courage" (16 November 1993)
- "Stand By Me" (23 November 1993)
- "Learning" (30 November 1993)
Series 4
- "Stormy Weather" (20 September 1994)
- "Away Games" (27 September 1994)
- "Damage" (4 October 1994)
- "Second Sight" (11 October 1994)
- "Over The Top" (18 October 1994)
- "Proud Man" (25 October 1994)
- "Further Education" (1 November 1994)
- "Baby Love" (8 November 1994)
- "Band of Gold" (15 November 1994)
- "Going Back" (22 November 1994)
- "Poles Apart" (29 November 1994)
- "Bombshell" (6 December 1994)
- "Changing The Guard" (13 December 1994)
Series 5
- "For Better, For Worse" (5 September 1995)
- "Second Chances" (12 September 1995)
- "Love Not Money" (19 September 1995)
- "Bushed" (26 September 1995)
- "Far Away" (3 October 1995)
- "Ill Wind" (10 October 1995)
- "Sweet Revenge" (17 October 1995)
- "The Army Game" (24 October 1995)
- "Love and War" (31 October 1995)
- "Leaving" (7 November 1995)
- "Hard Lessons" (14 November 1995)
- "Stick Together" (21 November 1995)
- "Under The Sun" (28 November 1995)
- "Baptism of Fire" (5 December 1995)
- "Twist of Fate" (12 December 1995)
Series 6
- "River Deep" (3 September 1996)
- "Divided Loyalties" (10 September 1996)
- "All For One" (17 September 1996)
- "Walking On Air" (24 September 1996)
- "Under The Gooseberry Bush" (1 October 1996)
- "Flash Point" (8 October 1996)
- "Money For Nothing" (15 October 1996)
- "Dear Joe" (22 October 1996)
- "Asking For It" (29 October 1996)
- "Delayed Action" (5 November 1996)
- "Beast" (12 November 1996)
- "Fall For Love" (19 November 1996)
- "War Path" (26 November 1996)
- "Deliver Us From Evil" (3 December 1996)
- "Hell and High Water" (10 December 1996)
Series 7
- "Divided We Fall" (23 September 1997)
- "Things Can Only Get Better" (30 September 1997)
- "Line of Departure" (7 October 1997)
- "Under Fire" (14 October 1997)
- "Friends and Lovers" (21 October 1997)
- "How Was It For You?" (28 October 1997)
- "The Road to Damascus" (4 November 1997)
- "Out" (11 November 1997)
- "Fit to Explode" (18 November 1997)
- "Chain of Command" (25 November 1997)
- "Sounds of War" (2 December 1997)
- "No Pain, No Gain" (9 December 1997)
King's Own Fusiliers
The King's Own Fusiliers is the infantry regiment portrayed in the series. Like all fusilierFusilier
Fusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
regiments, the King's Own Fusiliers wears a hackle
Hackle
The hackle is a clipped feather plume that is attached to a military headdress.In the British Army and the armies of some Commonwealth countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated as fusilier regiments and those with Scottish and Northern Irish origins. The...
in its head-dress; this is coloured dark blue over white. Initially, the regiment was called the "King's Fusiliers"; however in the third series of Soldier Soldier, which took place during the Options for Change
Options for Change
Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
military reforms, the King's Fusiliers was forced to amalgamate with another regiment, "The Cumbrians (Duke of Rutland's Own)"; although attempts were made by the Cumbrians to keep the new regiment as an ordinary infantry regiment, rather than a fusilier regiment, the regimental commander of the King's Fusiliers found in his research that, at some point during their history, the Cumbrians had served as fusiliers. As a result, the new regiment was named the "King's Own Fusiliers".
Role
As an ordinary infantry battalion, the King's Fusiliers/King's Own Fusiliers was in the arms plot rotation, and thus participated in a number of different roles:- 1st Battalion, King's Fusiliers
- Light infantryLight infantryTraditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
battalion in the UK - Resident infantry battalion in Hong KongBritish Forces Overseas Hong KongBritish Forces Overseas Hong Kong consisted of the elements of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Much of the British military left Hong Kong prior to the handover in 1997. The present article focuses mainly on the British garrison in Hong Kong in the post Second World War era...
(with training deployment to New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
)
- Light infantry
- 1st Battalion, King's Own Fusiliers
- Armoured infantry battalion with 4th (Armoured) BrigadeBritish 4th Armoured BrigadeThe 4th Mechanized Brigade is a British Army brigade.The 4th Armoured Brigade was formed during the Second World War, as an armoured brigade of the 7th Armoured Division....
in GermanyBritish Forces GermanyBritish Forces Germany , is the name for British Armed Forces service personnel and civilians based in Germany. It was first established following the Second World War as the British Army of the Rhine .... - United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeepers with UNPROFOR in BosniaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the... - Public dutiesPublic dutiesPublic duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.-Germany:...
battalion in WindsorLondon District (British Army)London District is the name given by the British Army to the area of operations encompassing the Greater London area. Established in 1870 as Home District, it was re-formed in 1905 as London District to be an independent district within the larger command structure of the army, and has remained so... - Infantry training battalion WarminsterWarminsterWarminster is a town in western Wiltshire, England, by-passed by the A36, and near Frome and Westbury. It has a population of about 17,000. The River Were runs through the town and can be seen running through the middle of the town park. The Minster Church of St Denys sits on the River Were...
- Air assault infantryAir assaultAir assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces...
battalion with 5th (Airborne) BrigadeBritish 5th Infantry BrigadeThe 5th Infantry Brigade was a regular British Army formation from the First World War to disbandment in 1999.- History :During both World War I and the Second World War the 5th Brigade was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. It served in France in 1940, was evacuated to Britain from Dunkirk and...
- Armoured infantry battalion with 4th (Armoured) Brigade
During its time in Windsor, in addition to other duties, the King's Own Fusiliers provided the guard
Queen's Guard
The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in London...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
and Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
.
Recruiting area
As the King's Own Fusiliers has no geographical location in its name, it can only be speculated what recruiting area it represents. However, using Options for ChangeOptions for Change
Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
as a marker, it would be reasonable to assume that the regiment is from somewhere in the north of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, given that it is amalgamated with a regiment from Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
. In addition, the regiment's collar dogs are in the form of a stylised rose, suggesting the Red Rose of Lancashire. This suggests that the regiment is part of the King's Division
King's Division
The King's Division is a British Army command, training and administrative apparatus designated for infantry regiments in the North of England. The King's Division was formed in 1968 with the union of the Lancastrian Brigade, Yorkshire Brigade and North Irish Brigade...
.
Amalgamation
Although Soldier Soldier ended in 1997, it can be speculated that, had the series continued, the changing climate following the 1997 General ElectionUnited Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
with regards to the armed forces would have been addressed; the wars in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
may have led to the regiment being deployed operationally, while the defence review
Delivering Security in a Changing World
The 2003 Defence White Paper, titled Delivering Security in a Changing World, set out the future structure of the British military, and was preceded by the 1998 Strategic Defence Review and the 2002 SDR New Chapter, which responded to the immediate challenges to security in the aftermath of the...
of 2004 would probably have resulted in the King's Own Fusiliers, as a single battalion regiment, being forced to amalgamate again, this time as part of a large, multi-battalion regiment with another north-west regiment.
The cap badge
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
of the King's Own Fusiliers features the lion surmounting the crown, which is the recognised symbol of the British Army, within the band of the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
. Surmounting the garter band is the traditional flame that indicates a fusilier regiment. (Note - in Crush (Red Cap
Red Cap (TV series)
Red Cap is a British television series produced by Stormy Pictures for the BBC and broadcast on BBC One. Two series of 6 episodes each were produced following a feature length pilot. It featured the investigations of an SIB unit of the British Army based in Germany...
episode 1.2), the Royal Cambrian Fusiliers wore the same cap badge and hackle as the King's Own Fusiliers).
Commanding officers
- 1st Battalion, King's Fusiliers
- Lt Colonel D. Fortune (1991-1992)
- Lt Colonel N. Hammond (1992-1993)
- 1st Battalion, King's Own Fusiliers
- Lt Colonel N. Hammond (1993-1994)
- Lt Colonel I. Jennings (1994-1995)
- Lt Colonel P. Philips (1995-1996)
- Lt Colonel M. Eastwood (1996-1997)
- Lt Colonel P. Drysdale (1997)
Fictional Regiments featured in Soldier Soldier
- The King's Fusiliers (later the King's Own Fusiliers)
- The Cumbrians (Duke of Rutland's Own) - amalgamates with the King's Fusiliers
- The Malvern Regiment - exercises with the King's Fusiliers during their time in Germany
See also
- Structure of the British ArmyStructure of the British ArmyThe structure of the British Army is broadly similar to that of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, being divided into two Commands: HQ Land Forces and the Adjutant-General. As top-level budget holders, these two organisations are responsible for providing forces at operational readiness for...
- Options for ChangeOptions for ChangeOptions for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
- Red CapRedcap (TV series)Redcap is a British television series produced by ABC Weekend Television and broadcast on the ITV network.It starred John Thaw as Sergeant John Mann, a member of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police and ran for two series and 26 episodes between 1964 and 1966, being about...
- SpearheadSpearhead (TV series)Spearhead is a British television series. Produced by Southern Television and broadcast on the ITV network, it ran for a total of three series and 19 episodes from 1978 to 1981. It featured the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'B' Company, 1st Battalion Royal Wessex Rangers, a fictional...