HC Deb 25 May 1908 vol 189 cc748-9
SIR IVOR HERBERT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, by a communication from the War Office, dated 17th February, 1908, authority was given for the infantry battalions of the Volunteers in Monmouthshire to be formed into and be known as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment; whether the officers and men of those battalions took service in the Territorial Army on the distinct understanding and with the assurance that their units would bear the county title and be organised as a Territorial regiment of three battalions; why that authority has been withdrawn by a letter, dated 22nd April, 1908; and why those battalions are forbidden to make use of their county title or to be organised regimentally.

MR. HALDANE

The facts are as stated, except that so far as the Army Council are aware the Monmouthshire Battalions have not been forbidden to make use of their county title. Some misapprehension appears to have arisen on this point owing to the terms of the Royal Warrant, dated 30th March, 1908, in which the Monmouthshire battalions are shown as forming part of the corps of the South Wales Borderers. For technical reasons connected with the appointment of permanent staff this arrangement is essential, but it has been decided that such incorporation of Territorial battalions in a corps need not affect either their county titles or their regimental organisations. The Monmouthshire units referred to will in future, while still forming part of the corps of the South Wales Borderers, be styled officially as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)

May I ask why this regiment which has had a title for 100 years is now to be deprived of it?

MR. HALDANE

I did not say that.

SIR IVOR HERBERT

Are the three battalions to be organised as a regiment, and known as the Monmouthshire Regiment?

MR. HALDANE

Their official designation is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions Monmouthshire Regiment. They are the Monmouth Regiment.