The Rhodesia Regiment (RR) was formed not long after the occupations, in 1899, originating in the form of a mounted infantry formation. Many of its men came from the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers. The Regiment was active on the side of the United Kingdom in the Second Boer War and the First and Second World Wars. It also played a significant role as eight infantry battalions and six national service independent companies in the Rhodesian Bush War of the 1960s and 70s.
During World War I, the regiment affiliated with 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, the regiment was granted the title of Royal Rhodesia Regiment by King George VI, the first appointed Colonel in Chief. The title reverted to Rhodesia Regiment. The last royal Colonel in Chief was Queen Elizabeth II after Rhodesia declared a Republic. [1]
