The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: World_War_I United_Kingdom

Created From 51st (2nd Yorkshire, West Riding, The King's Own Light Infantry) Regiment and 105th (Madras Light Infantry) Regiment

The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1881 - 1968

Became The Light Infantry

The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army. The Unit History, in brief, is maintained by the Armed Forces War Records Office.

In 1881 after the absoption of the Armies of the British East India Company and the army reforms of Cardwell and Childers. As part of these reforms regimental numbers were abolished. The 51st King's Own Light Infantry became the 1st Battalion, King's Own Light Infantry (South Yorkshire Regiment) and the 105th (which was the 105th (Madras Light Infantry) Regiment) became its 2nd Battalion. The Childers Reforms also combined Militia and rifle volunteer units into the regiments formed in 1881. Accordingly, the 1st West Yorks Rifles Militia became the 3rd Militia Battalion, while the 3rd Administrative Battalion West Riding of Yorkshire Rifle Volunteer Corps became the 1st Volunteer Battalion. I n 1897 the regimental title was changed to the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), and in 1921 to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

In 1968 the regiment was amalgamated with the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and the Durham Light Infantry to form The Light Infantry which in turn was merged with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Green Jackets to become The Rifles in 2007.

Regiment in World War I

The Long, Long Trail web site maintains an overview of participation in World War I.

Museum

The Regimental Museum is located at Doncaster.