Rhodesia Regiment

The Rhodesia Regiment
Rhodesia Regiment insignia
Active	1899–1980
Country	Rhodesia
Allegiance	United Kingdom (1899–1965)  Rhodesia (1965–70)  Republic of Rhodesia (1970–79)  Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979)  United Kingdom (1979–80)
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Infantry
Colours	Green, red and black
Engagements	Second Boer War First World War Second World War Rhodesian Bush War
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	Incumbent British monarch (until 1970)

The Rhodesia Regiment (RR) was one of the oldest and largest regiments in the Rhodesian Army. It served on the side of the United Kingdom in the Second Boer War and the First and Second World Wars and served the Republic of Rhodesia in the Rhodesian Bush War.

During the First World War, an affiliation was formed between the King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC) and the Rhodesia Regiment, with a platoon of Rhodesians serving in the 2 KRRC. In addition to the similar cap badge with a red backing, the affiliation with the KRRC led to many similarities in uniform as a rifle regiment with private soldiers holding the title of "Rifleman".

In 1947, as a result of its service in World War II the regiment was granted the title of Royal Rhodesia Regiment by King George VI, who became the regiment's first Colonel-in-Chief. When Rhodesia became a republic in 1970, the regiment's title reverted to Rhodesia Regiment with Queen Elizabeth II resigning her position as Colonel-in-Chief.

The Rhodesia Regiment was created in 1899 primarily from recruits from Matebeleland as a mounted infantry formation, with many coming from the Southern Rhodesian Volunteers. Their first commanding officer was Major later Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer who had previously commanded a Corps of Mounted Riflemen in the Second Matabele War. The Regiment served in the Second Boer War and was disbanded in 1900, shortly after the relief of Mafeking.