British Military Pictures & Videos
- Thread starter Obi Wan Russell
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Not sure, but I would imagine it's because the Army is less closely linked to the "the Crown". English history gets pretty confusing, but it might have something to do with the fact that the British Army is more a descendant of the professional force formed by Oliver Cromwell to fight against the King during the English civil war. At least I think that's true. Also, British Army units are historically regional (i.e. Lancashire Fusiliers) and in the 1600s and 1700s they were often raised and provisioned by their officers who were nobles, and given numerical designations (i.e. 15th Regiment of Foot). So both of those things set them apart from strictly "Royal" Units that served at the expense of the King (like the French Maison du Roi). In that respect the Army was always more of a "national" force rather than a "personal" one. Of course over the years all the names and everything got mixed up many times over, but that would be my guess.
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I would point out that all the individual regiments are known by their Royal titles such as Royal Engineers, Royal Artilleries etc. They have the royal charter but just don't use it in the collective name of the British Army. I don't know why.The Navies prior to the ' Union of the Crowns ' were already known as the Royal Scottish Navy and the Royal English navy so i guess it was natural after the ' Acts of Union ' in 1707 to continue the name Royal Navy. The RAF ,formerly the Royal Flying Corp owes it origins to the Army as far as i know so is an offshoot and thus took on the royal title.
Very good question Popeye. My believe is that historically there have been many regiments in the British Army, and by tradition they are highlighted as "The Irish Guards", "The Scottish Borderers" etc. etc. One main reason is that Officers & Men are motivated with their pride & loyalty to their respective regiments. That's also the historical reason for the importance of Regimental Colours. However, to emphasise loyalty to the King/Queen, all Army regiments also carry the King's/Queen's Colours. As for the RN & RAF there are NO regiments only ships & squadrons. The RM is under the RN, but there is the special exception of being called the RM with their units' identified as 3rd Cdo Bde, 40, 42 RM Cdo etc.). Both the RN & the RAF have only the Queen's Colours (i.e. RN White Ensign with the Royal Crown in the Centre, & the RAF Colours similar). They may have flotilla, fleet, squadron crests/flags, but these are not Blessed like ALL Army, Navy & Air Force Colours. It's all tradition (which is important for morale & to instill pride). These might be a little confusing to those not familiar. Anyway, hope the explanation is helpful. I stand corrected.
Yeah I forgot to add that through various reorganizations over the years most if not all regiments in the British Army had "Royal" attached to their names
The Royal Engineers constructed the new post during Operation Kapcha Afsana 9, which was implemented to replace CP Leverett with CP Kahmanan to secure more area north of the village Narh Khil, Helmand province.
Combat engineers with the 39 Engineer Squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, fill barriers with dirt on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
Rifleman Alois Phillip Ngolu, with A Company, 1 Rifles Battalion, stands lookout at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30. A Company riflemen provided security for the combat engineers at the new command post during Operation Kapcha Afsana 9.
Lance Cpl. Steven Ross, a combat engineer with the 39 Engineer squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, places barriers into position on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
Sapper Paul Thomas, a combat engineer with the 39 Engineer Squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, places barriers into position on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
Combat engineers with the 39 Engineer Squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, fill barriers with dirt on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
Rifleman Alois Phillip Ngolu, with A Company, 1 Rifles Battalion, stands lookout at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30. A Company riflemen provided security for the combat engineers at the new command post during Operation Kapcha Afsana 9.
Lance Cpl. Steven Ross, a combat engineer with the 39 Engineer squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, places barriers into position on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
Sapper Paul Thomas, a combat engineer with the 39 Engineer Squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, places barriers into position on a lookout tower at Command Post Kahmanan, Helmand province, July 30.
British security personnel are seen near the site of a suicide attack outside The British Council in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 19, 2011
A member of the British security staff helps a wounded British embassy guard during an attack on offices belonging to the British Council in Kabul August 19, 2011. Taliban bombers killed two Afghan policemen and a civilian when they attacked offices belonging to the British Council and the United Nations in the centre of the Afghan capital on Friday, police said.
This again is another serious attack on institutions/countries that are involved in the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. I really dread to think what would happen when the US, UK and the others who are part of this Force (ISAF) withdraw from the country in not to distant future. The present Afghan government & its military are far from ready to take over the security of the country, let alone governing it effectively. The fear is it could return to the old days of the Taliban State. The World watches in agony to the continued corruption, poppy growing, infighting & poor governance by the current leadership. God help the country & its people.
