43rd (Wessex) Reconnaissance Regiment

48th Reconnaissance Battalion 43rd Reconnaissance Battalion 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment 43rd (Wessex) Reconnaissance Regiment
43rd (Wessex) Division insignia, World War II.
Active	1941–1946
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Reconnaissance
Size	Regiment
Part of	Reconnaissance Corps
Commanders
Notable commanders	Alfred Dudley Ward Francis Lane Fox

The 43rd (Wessex) Reconnaissance Regiment (The Gloucestershire Regiment) (43 Recce) was a regiment of the British Army's Reconnaissance Corps, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps, during World War II. It fought in North West Europe with the 21st Army Group in 1944–1945. Throughout most of its existence the regiment was part of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.

The regiment was formed (as 48th Reconnaissance Battalion) on 14 October 1941 by the redesignation of the 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, a Territorial Army infantry battalion that had acted as the divisional recce battalion for 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division since July 1941, and had fought with the division in the Battle of Dunkirk in May 1940. The regiment was initially commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Dudley Ward, later to serve with distinction in the war and destined to become a full General. The following month it was transferred to the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division and renumbered accordingly in January 1942. On 6 June 1942 all reconnaissance battalions were redesignated regiments, and on 1 January 1944 the Reconnaissance Corps became part of the Royal Armoured Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Francis ('Joe') Lane Fox, of the Royal Horse Guards, took command of 43 Recce on 29 September 1943.