The main series of records relate to the administration of the Regiment and its constituent battalions, particularly in the late 19th and 20th centuries. These include standing orders, digests of service, copies of orders received, reports, war diaries, and some lists of personnel and casualty lists. In addition there is a large collection of ephemera, including programmes and menus relating to parades, commemorations and other events, a fine collection of photograph albums and other photographs and illustrative material and copies of articles and research into the history of the regiment and individual battalions. The series of private papers of soldiers who served with the regiment, ranging from a single photograph or set of service papers, to diaries, correspondence and memoirs, is still being added to.
The following is a detailed summary of the contents:
QRWS/1/ REGIMENT AND DEPOT 1662-2002
QRWS/2/ 1ST BATTALION 1825-2000
Until 1857, the 1st was the only permanent regular battalion in the Queen's Regiment. In 1860, it was sent to fight against the Chinese Empire. In 1879, a volunteer force of 69 of all ranks participated in the Zulu War. The Battalion was in India when fighting began on the North West Frontier in 1897, so became involved in the war there and remained in India until 1910. In Aug 1914, the Battalion went to France as part of 1st Division of the British Expeditionary Force. It suffered catastrophic losses but was reformed and continued to serve on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, at the end of which 17 of the 1000 or so men who had arrived in France in 1914 were still serving. After the war, the Battalion served in Ireland during 'the troubles' and then returned to India. It was at Quetta in 1935, when an earthquake devastated the town. During World War II, the Battalion fought on the North West Frontier and in Burma in the Arakan, at Kohima and in the Irrawaddy. After the war, it served in Germany. In Sep 1948, the 2nd Battalion was redesignated as the 1st Battalion which had been reduced to cadre. In 1950, a draft of one officer and 135 other ranks was sent to reinforce the Middlesex Regiment in the Korean War. In 1954, the 1st Battalion left for Malaya, where it was involved in operations against Communist terrorists. It returned to Germany in 1957 and in 1959 was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, to form the 1st Battalion of the new Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment. Records relating to the 1st Battalion before 1857 will be found in QWRS/1/- above.
QRWS/3/ 2ND BATTALION 1857-2002
A 2nd Battalion of the Queen's was formed for a short time in 1795-97 and again in 1812-14 and came permanently into existence in 1857. In 1886-88 it fought in Burma and then saw active service throughout the Boer War, 1899-1902. In 1914, the battalion was brought back from South Africa where it had been stationed and sent out to Belgium to join the BEF. It suffered terrible losses in the first months of the war but continued to serve on the Western Front until 1917 when it was sent to Italy. It served in India between 1919 and 1926. During World War II, the battalion served first in North Africa and the Middle East and from 1942 in Singapore and later in Burma as part of the Deep Penetration Forces (Chindits) against the Japanese. In 1947, the Battalion moved from India to Germany. In Sep 1948, the Battalion became the 1st Battalion, which became the only regular battalion in the Regiment.
QRWS/4/ 3RD BATTALION 1781-1902
The 2nd Royal Surrey Regiment of Militia was converted into the 3rd Battalion, the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, in 1881. It was embodied for service in the Boer War in 1899. In 1907 it became the 3rd Special Reserve Battalion, which was to provide trained soldiers to replace those in the regular battalions who had been killed or wounded. The Battalion mobilised on 8th Aug 1914 at the depot and was initially stationed near Chatham. In Nov 1914, it moved to Rochester. In May 1915, it moved again to Fort Bridgewood. During this time, many drafts were prepared and sent overseas to join 1st and 2nd Battalions; later drafts joined 6th and 7th Battalions. In Feb 1916, the Battalion moved to Sittingbourne. In Mar 1919, the Battalion moved to Clipstone, where it was absorbed into the 1st Battalion. In 1921, the 3rd Battalion was again designated the Militia battalion, to be filled up when necessary, but in general had neither officers nor men. Note that item ESR/5/1/4 is a list of men, including some from this Battalion, who served in Namaqualand, 1902. It can be found in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, records.
QRWS/5/ 4TH BATTALION AND 1/4TH BATTALION 1896-1988
The battalion originated in 1859, when a volunteer rifle company was raised in Croydon, followed the next year by another company, both forming part of the 1st Surrey Administrative Battalion. In 1867, the battalion was reorganised and became the 2nd Surrey Rifle Volunteers. In 1881, it was joined to the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment as the regiment's 1st Volunteer Battalion. In 1908, it became the 4th Battalion, and was redesignated 1/4th between 1914 and 1919, when 2/4th and 3/4th Battalions were in existence. During the war it served in India, and in 1919 in Afghanistan. In 1938, the Battalion was converted into the 63rd (4th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment) Searchlight Regiment of the Royal Artillery. In 1942, it became the 127th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Queen's) and in 1947, the 598th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Queen's). In 1955, it became the 565th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. The Battalion was amalgamated with the 5th and 6th Battalions of the Queen's to become the 3rd Battalion of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment in 1961. For a diary relating to 1/4th Battalion, 1914-15, see QRWS/30/PEAK/1; for a report on C Company, 4th Battalion, 1938, see QRWS/30/WALTRT/2; for diaries relating to 4th Battalion and 440 Battery, 1937-41, see QRWS/30/STIB/2-3.
QRWS/6/ 2/4TH BATTALION 1915-1989
The Battalion was raised in 1914 and was originally known as the 4th (Home Service) Battalion. In 1915, the 2/4th and 2/5th Battalions were combined and retained the title of 2/4th. The unit fought at Gallipoli and in Egypt, Gaza and Palestine. In 1918, it was posted to the Western Front. It was disbanded in 1919. For a photograph album relating to 2/4th Battalion in Egypt and Palestine, 1917-18, see QRWS/30/KNIGCV/1; for a scrapbook relating to 2/4th Battalion, 1914-19, see QRWS/30/MERR/1.
QRWS/7/ 3/4TH BATTALION 1916-1920s
This Battalion was raised in 1915. It undertook Home Defence duties until 1917, when it was posted to France. It was disbanded in 1918. For a photograph album relating to 3/4th Battalion training, 1915, see QRWS/30/OSWA/1.
QRWS/8/ TERRITORIALS 1938-1997
During World War II, the Territorial Battalions generally served together, 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions in 131st (Queen's) Infantry Brigade (44th (Home Counties) Division) and 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions in 35th Infantry Brigade (12th Division), later 169th Queen's Brigade of 56th London Division. As a result many records relating to these battalions cannot be assigned to an individual unit: these records have been grouped into this Territorial series which should be consulted alongside the individual series relating to each battalion (QRWS/9/- to QRWS/11/-, -/13/- and -/15/- to -/16/-). Both of the abovementioned brigades went to France in Apr 1940 and withdrew through Dunkirk. In the reorganisation that followed Dunkirk, 35th Brigade became 169th Queen's Brigade of 56th London Division and for two years took part in the defence of the Kent and Sussex Coasts. In 1942, both divisions were ordered overseas, 131st Brigade joining the 8th Army in North Africa and 169th Brigade going to North Iraq. After the battle of El Alamein, 131st Brigade became the Lorried Infantry Brigade of 7th Armoured Division ('The Desert Rats'). Both brigades took part in the Salerno landings of 1943 and fought together in Italy until 131st Brigade was recalled with the 7th Armoured Division to England to take part in the Normandy landings. After the Germans were pushed back across the River Maas, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalion returned home, leaving 1/5th Battalion with the 7th Armoured Division to fight its way across Germany and eventually to take part in the victory parade in Berlin.
QRWS/9/ 5TH AND 1/5TH BATTALION 1864-2002
In 1882-3 the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment was formed out of the 4th Corps of the Surrey Rifle Volunteers, itself an amalgamation of the 5th (Reigate), 13th (Dorking), 17th (Godstone), 18th (Farnham) and 24th (Guildford) Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps. With the creation of the Territorial Force in 1908, the unit became the 5th Battalion and was redesignated 1/5th on the formation of a 2/5th Battalion in 1914. During the war it served in India in 1914 before being despatched to Mesopotamia in 1915. Reconstituted as 5th Battalion in 1920, it again became 1/5th during World War II when a 2/5th Battalion was raised. The 1/5th, as part of 131st Brigade, served in France in 1940, before being sent to North Africa in 1942. It fought in the Italian campaign in 1943 before being taking part in the Normandy landings and the advance on Germany. See also QRWS/8/- above for records relating to 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions (131 Brigade) during World War II. For issues of the Nasariyeh News, also known as Queens Quarterly and later as Baghdad Budget, a battalion newsletter, Jun 1916-Dec 1917, see QRWS/30/WIGA/4-9; for a 5th Battalion Old Comrades' Association newsletter, 1965, see QRWS/30/MOXO/33.
QRWS/10/ 2/5TH BATTALION 1940-1998
The battalion was raised in 1939 and in 1940 was sent to France as part of 35th Brigade. The Brigade was evacuated through Cherbourg, having been overrun by the enemy. 35 Brigade then became part of 169th Queen's Brigade of 56 London Division and took part in home defence. In 1942, the Division was ordered to Iraq and in 1943 took part in the landings at Salerno, Italy, 1943, continuing to fight in Italy until the end of the war. It was disbanded in 1946. For an account of 2/5th Battalion in World War II, see QRWS/30/GODD/1. See also QRWS/8/- above for further records relating to 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions (35th later 169th Brigade) during World War II.
QRWS/11/ 6TH AND 1/6TH (BERMONDSEY) BATTALION (TA), FORMERLY 3RD VOLUNTEER BATTALION AND 22ND LONDON REGIMENT 1860-2003
Originally the 10th (Bermondsey) and 23rd (Rotherhithe) Rifle Volunteer Corps and then the 6th Corps, Surrey Rifle Volunteers, the corps became part of the Queen's in 1882 and was renamed the 3rd Volunteer Battalion in 1883. In 1908, with the creation of the Territorial Force, it was redesignated the 22nd (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (The Queen's). Between 1915 and 1920, it was known as the 1/22nd due to the creation of a second unit known as the 2/22nd. From 1922, it was known as the 22nd London Regiment (The Queen's) and from 1937 as the 6th (Bermondsey) Battalion of The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Between 1939 and 1947, it became the 1/6th Battalion, as a 2/6th Battalion had been created, forming part of 131 Brigade which served in France, North Africa, Italy and Northern Europe. In 1961, it was amalgamated with 4th and 5th Battalions to form a new 3rd Battalion. See also QRWS/8/- above for records relating to 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions (131st Brigade) during World War II.
QRWS/12/ 2/22ND (COUNTY OF LONDON) BATTALION 1917
This Battalion was formed in 1914 and disbanded in 1920. Although part of the London Regiment, it had links to the Queen's, the 1/22nd having formerly been the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Regiment and in 1937 becoming the 6th (Bermondsey) Battalion of the Queen's. For a diary relating to service with 2/22nd Battalion, 1916-18, see QRWS/30/LEE/1; for a photograph album relating to 2/22nd Battalion in France, Salonika, Palestine and Mesopotamia, 1916-18, see QRWS/30/ROBS/1.
QRWS/13/ 2/6TH BATTALION 1939-1945
This unit was formed from 6th Battalion in 1939. It served alongside 2/5th and 2/7th Battalions in France as part of 35 Brigade in 1940, and was evacuated through Cherbourg. It then became part of 169th Queen's Brigade, 56th London Division, and was tasked with the defence of the Kent and Sussex coasts. In 1942, it was posted to Iraq before returning the following year to take part in the landings at Salerno. With the exception of time spent retraining and reforming in Egypt, it fought in Italy for the rest of the war. It was disbanded in 1947. For a letter relating to 2/6th Battalion landing at Salerno, 1943, see QRWS/30/PEET/2; for an account relating to 2/6th Battalion in World War II, see QRWS/30/DAYJH/1; for an account relating to the landing at Salerno by 2/6th Battalion, see QRWS/30/KEAL/2. See also QRWS/8/- above for further records relating to 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions (35th later 169th Brigade) during World War II.
QRWS/14/ 6TH (SERVICE) BATTALION 1915-1920
This unit was the first of the Queen's service battalions, raised during World War I. It was formed in 1915 and disbanded in 1919, serving on the Western Front throughout the war. It is not to be confused with the Battalion that later became the 6th (Bermondsey) Battalion of the Regiment; this latter served throughout World War I as the 22nd (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment.
QRWS/15/ 7TH AND 1/7TH (SOUTHWARK) BATTALION, FORMERLY 4TH VOLUNTEER BATTALION AND 24TH LONDON REGIMENT 1905-1994
Formed in 1860 as the 19th Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps in Lambeth, it became the 8th Corps in 1880 and in 1883 was redesignated the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. In 1908, with the creation of the Territorial Force, it was renamed the 24th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (The Queen's). Between 1915 and 1920 it was known as 1/24th, when a 2/24th Battalion was in existence. During World War I it served on the Western Front as part of 147th Brigade of the 47th Division. The 2/24th Battalion, unrepresented in the archive, served in France, Macedonia [Greece] and Palestine. In 1922, the Battalion was restyled 24th London Regiment (The Queen's). In 1937, it became the 7th (Southwark) Battalion, The Queen's. Between 1939 and 1947 it was known as the 1/7th, when a 2/7th Battalion was in existence. It served during the war in France, North Africa, Italy and Normandy. In 1947, it became the 622 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA, and in 1955 the 265 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA, at which point the 24th London lineage was discontinued. See also QRWS/8/- above for records relating to 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions (131 Brigade) during World War II.
QRWS/16/ 2/7TH BATTALION 1939-1990
Formed in 1939, the 2/7th served in France in 1940 alongside 2/5th and 2/6th Battalions in 35th Infantry Brigade (12th Division). Following evacuation and reorganisation it became part of 169th Queen's Brigade, 56 London Division, and was tasked with the defence of the Kent and Sussex coasts. In 1942, it was posted to Iraq, and in 1943 took part in the Salerno landings, fighting in Italy for the remainder of the war. For a account of 2/7th Battalion in Italy, see QRWS/30/SCHN/6. See also QRWS/8/- above for further records relating to 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions (35th later 169th Brigade) during World War II, and QRWS/15/6/4, which includes a list of honorary colonels and commanding officers of the battalion, 1939-1944.
QRWS/17/ 7TH (SERVICE) BATTALION 1915-1975
The Battalion was formed in 1915 and disbanded in 1919. It fought at the Somme as part of 18th Division and continued to serve on the Western Front until the end of the war. For letters relating to 7th (Service) Battalion, 1914-16, see QRWS/30/NIEL/2-45.
QRWS/18/ 8TH (SERVICE) BATTALION 1915-1919
This unit was formed at Guildford in 1914, and attached to 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. It fought on the Western Front, losing many men at Loos, 1915, and Messines, 1917. It was disbanded in 1919. For a diary relating to 8th (Service) Battalion, 1918, see QRWS/30/HAWO/1; for a photograph album including officers of 8th (Service) Battalion, 1915, see QRWS/30/STAC/1.
QRWS/19/ 10TH (SERVICE) BATTALION 1915-1920
This unit was formed in 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of Battersea and formed part of 124th Brigade, 41st Division. It fought at the Somme and elsewhere on the Western Front. It was disbanded in 1920. For a photograph album relating to 10th Battalion, 1918-19, see QRWS/30/BROWA/1.
QRWS/20/ 11TH (SERVICE) BATTALION 1915-1920
This Battalion was formed by the Mayor and Borough of Lambeth in 1915 and, like 10th Battalion, formed part of 41st Division. It fought on the Somme and in Flanders and suffered heavy losses in the German attack of March 1918. It was disbanded in 1920.
QRWS/21/ 12TH (RESERVE) BATTALION 1916
This Battalion was formed in 1915, from Depot Companies of the 10th and 11th Battalions. In 1916, it became the 97th Training Reserve Battalion. In Jun 1917, it was redesignated 209th Infantry Training Reserve, and in Nov 1917 became 51st (Graduated) Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment.
QRWS/22/ 12TH (HOME DEFENCE) BATTALION 1939
This Battalion was formed in 1939 from Companies of 5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, 6th Battalion, the Queen's, and 6th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment. It performed home defence duties, first in Woolwich, and from 1940 in Deptford. In 1941, it was absorbed into the 10th (Home Defence) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
QRWS/23/ 13TH (HOME DEFENCE) BATTALION 1941-1942
This Battalion was formed in Jun 1940. Based initially at Cowshott, near Aldershot, it moved in Oct 1940 to Chichester, and then to Hull in Feb 1941. Thereafter it was based at various times in Kent, Devon, Manchester, Lancashire and Southwark. It was disbanded in 1945.
QRWS/24/ 14TH BATTALION LATE 20TH CENT
The 14th Battalion was raised in 1940 and in Dec 1941 was brought under the Royal Artillery as the 99th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, although retaining links with the Queen's, such as badges and discipline levels.
QRWS/25/ 15TH BATTALION c.1940-1943
This Battalion was formed in 1940 and disbanded in 1943.
QRWS/26/ 19TH BATTALION c.1916-1920s
Formed in Jun 1915 as the 69th Provisional Battalion, the unit was renamed 19th Battalion, Queen's, in Jan 1917 and disbanded in Apr 1919.
QRWS/27/ 30TH BATTALION 1940s
Raised in 1939, this battalion was originally known as the 11th (Home Defence) Battalion and redesignated 30th Battalion in Dec 1941. It was disbanded in 1945.
QRWS/28/ 70TH (YOUNG SOLDIERS) BATTALION 1940-1941
Formed in 1940, the Battalion consisted of two companies of old soldiers from 11th Battalion and two companies of young men who had volunteered, but were too young for active service. In 1941, it moved into Southern Command and relieved the 11th Battalion. It was engaged in civil defence duties until its disbandment in 1943.
QRWS/29/ CADET FORCE 1889-1989
QRWS/30/ PERSONAL PAPERS OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT 1794-2006
This comprises the papers of over 580 individuals, arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier, with a strong emphasis on those who served in the First and Second World Wars.