From Mud, Through Blood, to the Green Fields Beyond




THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT

The story of The Royal Tank Regiment is one of struggle, triumph and achievement



Its origins are only almost a century old but those years have seen the stalemate of trench warfare overcome, the restoration of mobility and the establishment of the tank and mechanised forces, as a dominant factor in battle.


  FEAR NAUGHT being the Regimental motto

REGIMENTAL STANDARDS


THE ORIGINS


The custom of carrying Colours and Standards goes back in the early days of man, who fixed his family badge to a pole and held it aloft in battle for the dual purpose of indicating his position and acting as a rallying point should the occasion arise. Standards evolved from the banners of the Knights of the Middle Ages and are now carried by Regiments of the Household Cavalry, Dragoon Guards and the Royal Tank Regiment. Our Standards were first presented by Her Majesty The Queen in 1960.


All Regiments carried similar Standards the only difference being that individual Regimental numbers are embroidered above the letters RTR in the top right and bottom left hand corners. The Battle Honours are emblazoned on each Standard.


The silver drums on which the new standards are laid prior to their Presentation are those of the 10th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment which in 1938 became the 41st Royal Tank Regiment. They are kept on permanent display in Oldham Town Hall.







 On 27 October 1960 Her Majesty The Queen presented Standards and Guidons at Buckingham Palace to the following Regiments:-


1 RTR

2 RTR

3 RTR

4 RTR

5 RTR

North Somerset Yeomanry /44 RTR

Westminster Dragoons

40/41 RTR




On 12 July 1985 Her Majesty The Queen presented Standards at Sennelager, Germany  to the following Regiments:-


1 RTR

2 RTR

3 RTR

4 RTR




On 25 June 2008 Her Majesty The Queen presented Standards at Buckingham Palace to the following Regiments:-


1 RTR

2 RTR



2008 Regimental Standards are as follows:-


1 RTR - Retained

 

2 RTR - Retained

 

3 RTR - Laid up in St Peter-upon-Cornhill on 13 September 1992.

 

4 RTR - Laid up in St Peter-upon-Cornhill on 12 September 1993.

 

5 RTR - Laid up in St Peter-upon-Cornhill on 16 November 1969.

 

North Somerset Yeomanry /44 RTR - Laid up and subsequently retained by the National Army Museum in 1969.

 

Westminster Dragoons - Laid up in Westminster Abbey 23 October 1966  

 

40/41 RTR - Laid up in Bootle Town Hall on 16 August 1975.


STANDARDS PARADE 25TH JUNE 2008 BUCKINGHAM PALACE

The remaining two Royal Tank Regiments march on to the lawn

and with the ‘old’ Standards present themselves to the Generals of the Regiment

Those Standards are ceremoniously marched from parade and the new Standards encased are brought on to the Parade

The Parade is ready for The Colonel in Chief, Her Majesty The Queen to arrive and inspect Her Regiment

Followed by the Dedication and Presentation of Standards

For Her Majesty’s Address and more photographs click here next page or go back to the top of this page