Light Division

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Light Division is a British Army command, training and administrative apparatus designated for the current light infantry and rifles regiments. The Light Division was formed in 1968 with the regimentation of the Light Brigade and the Green Jackets Brigade, followed by the union of the new regiments. As of 2005, the Light Division is comprised of eight infantry battalions:

Regular Army Units
- 1st Battalion, Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry
- 1st and 2nd Battalions, Light Infantry
- 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry
- 1st and 2nd Battalions, Royal Green Jackets
Territorial Army Units
- Rifle Volunteers
- Royal Rifle Volunteers

In addition, the Light Division also maintains a single band, the Band and Bugles of the Light Division. This was formed in 1994 by the amalgamation of the Corunna and Salamanca Bands of the Light Infantry and the Normandy and Peninsula Bands of the Royal Green Jackets.

In 2007, the DDLI, Light Infantry, RGBWLI and Royal Green Jackets will merge into a single large regiment of five regular and two TA battalions, along the same lines as the Royal Regiment of Scotland. This regiment will be named The Rifles. However, unlike the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the individual regimental names will not be maintained. As a consequence, upon the formation of The Rifles, the name Light Division will no longer be used.