The Royal Victoria Regiment is an Infantry Regiment of the Australian Army, consisting of two battalions, the 5th/6th Battalion and the 8th/7th Battalion.
| The Royal Victoria Regiment | |
|---|---|
Cap badge of the Royal Victoria Regiment | |
| Active | 1960–present |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry |
| Size | Two battalions |
| Part of | Royal Australian Infantry Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | 5th/6th Battalion - Hawthorn 8th/7th Battalion - Ballarat |
| March | 5th/6th Battalion - Cock o' the North; Slow: "Garb of Auld Gaul" 8th/7th Battalion - Quick: I'm Ninety Five; Slow: Men of Harlech |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Margaret Gardner AC (Governor of Victoria) |
| Insignia | |
| Unit colour patch | |
| Tartan | Gordon |
| Abbreviation | RVR |
History
editThe Regiment was formed in 1960 as a result of the amalgamation of all the Citizen Military Forces infantry battalions in Victoria. The regiment was formed in 1960 as the Victoria Regiment as part of the reorganisation of the Australian Army by the amalgamation of the six existing infantry regiments in Victoria:
- Victorian Scottish Regiment
- Royal Melbourne Regiment
- Melbourne Rifles
- North Western Victorian Regiment
- The Northern Victorian Regiment
- Hume Regiment
The regiment, renamed as the Royal Victoria Regiment in 1960, was initially formed of two battalions. In 1965. this was increased to four battalions, plus a single independent rifle company. A further reorganisation in the 1970s saw these battalions further amalgamated into the existing regimental structure. Currently the 5th/6th Battalion recruits mainly from the areas in and around the city of Melbourne, while the 8th/7th Battalion is responsible for the wider rural areas in Victoria.
Pipes and Drums
editFormed in 1899 as part of the Victorian Scottish Regiment, the 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums is now the band for all battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment. Some members of 5/6 RVR Pipes and Drums are serving Army Reservists from 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment, other members are derived from other Army Reserve units / parts of the Australian Defence Force, and selected guest players.
Alliances
edit- 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment
United Kingdom - The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers - via the 6th Battalion (The Royal Melbourne Regiment)
Canada - The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment - via the 58th/32nd Battalion
South Africa - Cape Town Highlanders Regiment - via Gordon Alliance
- 8th/7th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment