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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Royal Green Jackets
| image                         = Rgjcapbadge.jpg
| caption                       = Royal Green Jackets cap badge
| dates                         = 1 January 1966 – 1 February 2007
| country                       = 
| allegiance                    = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch                        = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| type                          = Rifles
| role                          = [[Light infantry|Light Infantry]]
| size                          = 5 battalions
| command_structure             = [[Light Division]]
| garrison                      = 1st Battalion – Weeton <br />2nd Battalion – Bulford
| current_commander             = 
| ceremonial_chief              = [[Queen Elizabeth II]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Last Colonel-in-Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = Lieutenant General [[Nick Parker]]
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Last Colonel Commandant
| nickname                      = "The Black Mafia"
| motto                         = ''Celer et Audax'' (Latin: Swift and Bold)
| march                         = Quick – ''Huntsman's Chorus''/''Italian Song''<br />Double Pass – ''[[The Road to the Isles]]''
| anniversaries                 = [[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]] (18 June)
}}
The '''Royal Green Jackets''' (RGJ) were an [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]], one of two [[large regiment|"large regiments"]] within the [[Light Division#The Light Division reformed|Light Division]] (the other being [[The Light Infantry]]).

==History==
The Royal Green Jackets were formed on 1 January 1966 by the amalgamation of the three separate regiments of the [[Green Jackets Brigade]]:<ref name=bau>{{cite web |url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-green-jackets.html |title=Royal Green Jackets |publisher=British Army units 1945 on |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> 
*[[1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd)]]
*2nd Green Jackets, the [[King's Royal Rifle Corps]]
*3rd Green Jackets, the [[Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)]].

There were also two [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] battalions made up as follows:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-infantry/royal-green-jackets-2.html |title=Royal Green Jackets (TA) |publisher=British Army units 1945 on |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref>
* 4th (V) Battalion, Royal Green Jackets – formed from the remnants of the [[The Rangers (British battalion)|Rangers (KRRC)]], [[London Rifle Brigade]], [[Poplar and Stepney Rifles|Tower Hamlets Rifles]], [[Queen's Westminsters]], [[Queen Victoria's Rifles]], Queen's Royal Rifles and [[Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles|Civil Service Rifles]].
* 5th (V) Battalion, Royal Green Jackets – formed from the 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (TA) and the Buckinghamshire Battalion, [[Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry]].

During the 1970s, 1980s and onwards up until the end of “The Troubles”, the battalions were deployed to various parts of Northern Ireland ([[Operation Banner]]). The 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions were also based in [[West Germany]], [[Osnabrück]] (1 RGJ), [[Minden]] (2 RGJ) and [[Celle]] (3 RGJ).<ref name=bau/>

The regiment's greatest loss of life at one time came on 20 July 1982, when seven RGJ [[Military band#United Kingdom|bandsmen]] were killed by a [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] bomb while giving a public concert in Regent's Park. The [[Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings|bomb exploded underneath the bandstand]] as the bandsmen played music from ''[[Oliver!]]'' to 120 spectators.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/20/newsid_2515000/2515343.stm |title=1982: IRA bombs cause carnage in London |date=20 July 1982 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref>

In 1992, 1 RGJ was disbanded and 2 RGJ and 3 RGJ renumbered 1 RGJ and 2 RGJ respectively.<ref name=bau/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1991/jul/23/the-army-restructuring#S5LV0531P0_19910723_HOL_193 |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=23 July 1991 |title=Hansard: Restructuring of the Army - Statement by Secretary of State for Defence on 23 July 1991 |access-date=26 November 2016}}</ref>

After the 1992 reorganisation, the unit was mostly based overseas in [[Dhekelia Cantonment|Dhekelia]] ([[Cyprus]]) and [[Paderborn]] ([[Germany]]), as well as in [[Northern Ireland]]. During the deployment of the 1st battalion to [[Episkopi Cantonment]] in Cyprus between October 1993 and May 1995,<ref name=bau/> three soldiers from the regiment were arrested and subsequently convicted for the [[Killing of Louise Jensen|killing of a Danish tour guide]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Soldier free after Cyprus killing | date= 14 August 2006 | url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4792915.stm | publisher =BBC News| access-date = 21 September 2025}}</ref> 

The regiment also saw action in [[Bosnia]] and [[Kosovo]] during the [[Yugoslav Wars]]. Both battalions returned to the United Kingdom by 2002 and in 2003 the 1st Battalion served on [[Operation Telic|Operation Telic 2]] in [[Iraq]].<ref name=bau/>

On 24 November 2005, the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] announced that the regiment would be amalgamated with [[The Light Infantry]], the [[Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry]] and the [[Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment|Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry]] to form a single [[large regiment]] to be called [[The Rifles]]. The reorganisation into The Rifles took effect on 1 February 2007 with the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets becoming the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles and the 2nd Battalion Royal Green Jackets becoming 4th Battalion, The Rifles.<ref name=bau/> The 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets' final operational tour was in [[Basra]], in [[Iraq]], on Operation Telic in 2006-07.<ref>Draper, p. 17</ref>

==Regimental museum==
The [[Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum]] is based at [[Peninsula Barracks]] in [[Winchester]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/royal-green-jackets-rifles-museum |title=Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum |publisher=Visit Winchester |access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref>

==Traditions==
Their motto was ''Celer et Audax'' ([[Latin]]: "Swift and Bold"). As they were used as shock troops and marksmen, they had to get to the front line of battle as fast as was possible; as a result the RGJ marched at 140 paces per minute (at a 30" pace) whereas other regiments march at just 120.<ref name=legacy>{{cite web |url=http://www.egframes.co.uk/CDRGJ2.htm |title=The Royal Green Jackets Legacy |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref>

The regiment was classed as a 'rifle' regiment, having its lineage in the regiments of foot that were equipped with the first [[Baker rifle]]s. Traditionally, rifle regiments wore [[rifle green]] tunics, an early form of [[camouflage]], instead of the red jackets worn by line infantry, hence the regimental name.<ref name=legacy/>

The cap badge was a [[Maltese Cross]], which was drawn from the badges of the [[King's Royal Rifle Corps]] and [[Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)|The Rifle Brigade]], with a combination of some of their battle honours on its arms.<ref name=legacy/>

==Battle honours==
[[Image:Regent's Park memorial sign.JPG|thumb|right|250px|A memorial sign of the 1982 [[Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings#Regent's Park bombing|Regent's Park]] bombing]]
The battle honours are:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rgjassociation.co.uk/ib/history/honours.html|title=Battle honours |publisher=Royal Green Jackets Association |access-date=24 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624115057/http://www.rgjassociation.co.uk/ib/history/honours.html |archive-date=24 June 2013}}</ref>
*Louisburg, [[Quebec 1759]], [[Martinique 1762]], Havannah, North America 1763–64, Mysore, Hindoostan, [[Martinique 1794]], Copenhagen, Montevideo, RoLica, Vimiero, Corunna, [[Martinique 1809]], Talavera, Busaco, Barrosa, Fuentes d'Onor, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vitoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthez, Toulouse, Peninsula, [[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]], [[South Africa 1846–47]], Mooltan, Goojerat, Punjab, [[South Africa 1851–53]], Alma, lnkerman, Sevastopol, Delhi 1857, Lucknow, Taku Forts, [[Pekin 1860]], New Zealand, [[Ashantee 1873–74]], Au Masjid, [[South Africa 1879]], Ahmad Khel, [[Kandahar 1880]], [[Afghanistan 1878–80]], Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 1882–84, [[Burma 1885–87]], Chitral, Khartoum, [[Defence of Ladysmith]], [[Siege of Kimberley|Relief of Kimberley]], [[Battle of Paardeberg|Paardeberg]], [[Relief of Ladysmith]], [[South Africa 1899–1902]].
*The Great War: Mons, Le Cateau, [[Retreat from Mons]], [[Marne 1914]], [[Aisne 1914]], 18, [[Armentières 1914]], [[Ypres 1914]], 15, 17, 18, Langemarck 1914, 17, Gheluvelt, Nonne Boschen, [[Givenchy 1914]], [[Neuve Chapelle]], Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Heliewaarde, Aubers, [[Festubert 1915]], [[Hooge 1915]], Loos, Mount Sorrel, [[Somme 1916]], 18, [[Albert 1916]], 18, Bazentin, [[Delville Wood]], Pozières, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, [[Ancre Heights]], [[Ancre 1916]], 18, Bapaume 1917, 18, [[Arras 1917]], 18, [[Vimy 1917]], [[Scarpe 1917]], 18, Arleux, [[Messines 1917]], 18, Pilckem, [[Menin Road]], [[Polygon Wood]], Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, [[Battle of Passchendaele|Passchendaele]], [[Cambrai 1917]], 18, St. Quentin, Rosières, Avre, Villers-Bretonneux, [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Lys]], [[Hazebrouck]], Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Drocourt Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Kortrijk, Selle, Valenciennes, Sambre, [[France and Flanders 1914–18]], Piave, Vittorio Veneto, [[Italy 1917–18]], [[Doiran 1917]], 18, [[Macedonia 1915–18]], [[Kut al Amara 1915]], Ctesiphon, Defence of Kut al Amara, [[Tigris 1916]], Khan Baghdadi, [[Mesopotamia 1914–18]].
*[[Archangel 1919]]
*The Second World War: Defence of Escaut, [[Siege of Calais (1940)|Siege of Calais]], Cassel, Ypres-Comines Canal, [[D Day|Normandy Landing]], [[Operation Deadstick|Pegasus Bridge]], [[Battle of Villers-Bocage|Villers-Bocage]], [[Operation Epsom|Odon]], Caen, Esquay, Bourguebus Ridge, Mont Pincon, Le Perier Ridge, Falaise, Antwerp, Hechtel, Nederrijn, Lower Maas, Roer, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Kleve, Goch, Hochwald, Rhine, Ibbenbueren, Dreirwalde, Leese, Aller, [[North-West Europe 1940]], 44–45, Egyptian Frontier 1940, Sidi Barrani, Beda Fomm, Mersa el Brega, Agedabia, Derna Aerodrome, [[Operation Battleaxe|Tobruk 1941]], [[Sidi Rezegh 1941]], Chor es Sufan, Saunnu, [[Battle of Gazala|Gazala]], Bir Hacheim, Knightsbridge, [[Defence of Alamein Line]], Ruweisat, Fuka Airfield, Alam el Halfa, [[Second Battle of El Alamein|El Alamein]], Capture of Haifaya Pass, Nofilia, Tebaga Gap, Enfidaville, Medjez el Bab, [[Battle of the Kasserine Pass|Kasserine]], Thala, Fondouk, Fondouk Pass, El Kourzia, Djebel Kournine, Agroub el Megas, Tunis, Hamman Lif, [[North African Campaign|North Africa 1940-43]], Sangro, Salerno, Santa Lucia, Salerno Hills, Cardito, Teano, Monte Camino, Garigliano Crossing, Damiano, [[Operation Shingle|Anzio]], [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Cassino]] II, Liri Valley, Melfa Crossing, Monte Rotondo, Capture of Perugia, [[Monte Malbe]], Arezzo, Advance to Florence, [[Gothic Line]], Coriano, Gemmano Ridge, Lamone Crossing, Orsara, Tossignano, Argenta Gap, Fossa Cembalina, [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy 1943-45]], Veve, [[Greece 1941]], 44,45, [[Battle of Crete|Crete]], Middle East 1941, Arakan Beaches, [[Tamandu]], [[Burma Campaign|Burma 1943-44]].

==Alliances==
*{{AUS}} - [[Melbourne University Regiment]]
*{{AUS}} - [[Sydney University Regiment]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)]]
*{{CAN}} - [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] (1966–2007)
*{{CAN}} - [[The Brockville Rifles]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Royal Winnipeg Rifles]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Royal Regina Rifles]]
*{{NZL}} - [[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment|1st Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment]]
*{{NZL}} - [[Hauraki Regiment|The Hauraki Regiment]]
*{{PAK}} - [[Guides Infantry]]
*{{RSA}} - [[Durban Light Infantry|The Durban Light Infantry]]
*{{RSA}} - [[Kaffrarian Rifles|The Kaffrarian Rifles]]
*{{SRI}} - [[Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment]]
*{{GHA}} - [[Ghana Regiment|1st Battalion, The Ghana Regiment]]
*{{RN}} - {{HMS|Somerset|F82}}

==See also==
*[[Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Pegasus Bridge]]
*[[Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings|7 RGJ Bandsmen killed by IRA in 1982 Regent's Park Bombing]]
*[[Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum]]
{{Commons category}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book |last=Draper |first=Robin Anthony |title=Redcoats to Riflemen: A short History of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire County Regiment |publisher=Royal Green Jackets Museum Trust |year=2015 |isbn=978-0954937034}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last=Allen |first=Charles |year=1990 |title=The Savage Wars of Peace: Soldiers Voices', 1945-1989 |publisher=Michael Joseph |isbn=978-0718128821 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/savagewarsofpeac00char}}
*{{cite book |last=Pringle |first=Andrew |year=2007 |title=Swift and Bold - A Portrait of The Royal Green Jackets 1966-2007 |publisher=Third Millennium |isbn=978-1903942697}}
*{{cite book |last=Swinson |first=Arthur |year=1972 |title=A Register of the Regiments and Corps of the British Army |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |isbn=978-0855910006}}
*{{cite book |last=Wallace |first=Lt. General Sir Christopher |title=The King's Royal Rifle Corps: The 60th Rifles. A Brief History: 1755 to 1965. From Royal Americans to Royal Green Jackets |year=2005 |publisher=Royal Green Jackets Museum |isbn=0-9549370-0-7}}
*{{cite book |last1=Wallace |first1=Lt. General Sir Christopher |last2=Cassidy |first2=Major Ron |title=Focus on Courage. The 59 Victoria Crosses of the Royal Green Jackets |year=2006 |publisher=Royal Green Jackets Museum |isbn=0-9549370-1-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Wilkinson-Latham |first=Christopher |year=1975 |title=The Royal Green Jackets |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-0850452495}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rgjassociation.info Royal Green Jackets Association]
* [http://www.rgjmuseum.co.uk/home.asp RGJ Museum]

{{The Rifles}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rifle regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:The Rifles]]
[[Category:British light infantry]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1966]]
[[Category:Royal Green Jackets soldiers| ]]