Museum of the
Mercian Regiment

The Sherwood Foresters 1946-1969

The Sherwood Foresters Post World War Two Summary

By 1945 the 1st Battalion had been re-formed and in training to take part in the final defeat of the Japanese. But with the end of hostilities its role was changed and instead it joined the Army of Occupation in Germany. Whilst the 2nd Battalion stayed in Palestine seeing further active service during the post war disturbances there.
 
In 1948 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were amalgamated to form one battalion. Although for a short period the 2nd Battalion was reactivated (1952 – 1955) as a result of the Korean War.  The Sherwood Foresters as a Regiment did not take part in this War but provided men to other Regiments.
 

Egypt, Germany and Malaya 1953-61

During the post war period the 1st Battalion served first as a lorry-borne infantry battalion in Germany. They then served as Garrison Troops in Egypt and in 1953 they moved to Libya where they became a motorised battalion equipped with armoured track vehicles.

In 1958 the Battalion reverted to an infantry role and took part in the closing stages of the jungle fighting in Malaya. Then, after a further period in Singapore, the Battalion returned to the UK in 1961.

Peacekeeping

In December 1963 the Battalion found itself in  peace-keeping under the United Nations in Cyprus. In 1964 the Battalion moved again to Germany as a mechanised infantry battalion and served there until returning to the UK in early 1970.

Changes to Territorial Units

The Territorial element of The Sherwood Foresters consisted of the re-formed 5th Battalion based in Derbyshire and the 8th Battalion in Nottinghamshire. The old 6th and 7th (Robin Hoods) Battalions continued in the form of 575 (The Sherwood Foresters) LAA Regt RA and 350 (Robin Hood Foresters) Light Regt RA.

A Changing Army- The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment (1WFR)

In 1970, the Sherwood Forestes were amalgamated with the Worcestershire Regiment.
Together  they formed The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot).
Click here TO READ ABOUT THE NEXT PART OF THE REGIMENT'S HISTORY

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