The London Regiment
The Regiment was officially formed in 1908 as an independent Infantry Regiment of the Territorial Force. All other TF units were linked to their parent regiments. However, its history is some years longer in that most of the London Regiment battalions had antecedents in the Rifle Volunteer Corps that were formed in 1859/60 as a reaction to deteriorating relations with Napoleon III. The 22nd are directly descended from the 10th Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps.
On the outbreak of war in 1914, two battalions of the 22nd were formed with the 1st departing to France quickly where it took part in the Battle of Loos. The 2nd arrived in 1916 in time for the great battles on the Somme and Vimy Ridge. 1917 saw the 2nd depart for Palestine and its battle honours include Gaza, Jerusalem and Jordan.
After the Armistice, the battalions combined again and following a series of consolidations entered the Second World War as 1st/6th and 2nd/6th (Bermondsey) Battalions of the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). They fought in many of the major actions including Dunkirk, Alamein, Villers Bocage and Anzio.
At the end of the war mass demobilisation reduced the regiment again but at the time of writing, the regiment has come full circle. Formed in 1993 as direct descendants, the London Regiment incorporated much of what remained of the original Territorial Force battalions. 'A' (London Scottish) Company is based in Westminster and Catford, where I grew up and where my grandfather, Sid's brother, lived most of his adult life.
For much more information on the Regiment, the links on this page have been extremely useful.
22nd Bn London Regiment VCs
Lt Colonel Arthur Drummond Borton
2/22nd Bn.
Sheria, Palestine, 7th November 1917
"In darkness and in unknown country, he deployed his battalion and at dawn led his companies against a strongly-held position. When the leading waves were checked by withering machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Colonel Borton moved freely up and down his lines under heavy fire. Reorganising his command, he led his men forward and captured the position. He later led a party of volunteers against a battery of field guns in action at point-blank range, capturing the guns."
Sergeant Jack Harvey
1/22nd Bn.
France, 2nd September 1918
"On 2nd September 1918, north of Peronne, France, the advance of his company was held up by machine gun fire. Private Harvey dashed forward a distance of 50 yards alone, through the barrage and in the face of heavy enemy fire and rushed a machine gun post, shooting two of the team and bayonetting another. He then destroyed the gun and continued his way along the enemy trench. Single-handed he rushed an enemy dug-out which contained 37 Germans and compelled them to surrender. The two acts of gallantry saved the company heavy casualties and materially assisted in the success of the operation."