History
The Cambridgeshire Regiment’s continuous history, much of it as a volunteer organisation, began in 1860 with the formation of several Rifle Volunteer Corps that met throughout the County.
These were consolidated in 1880 into the 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps and in 1887 the Battalion became the 3rd (Cambridgeshire) Volunteer Battalion Suffolk Regiment.
Until 1908, volunteers attended training at their own expense. Notably, the Cambridge University Press fielded its own Company. Officers were usually drawn from local families, but since 1887 the Suffolk Regiment provided the Battalion’s permanent staff and officers.
At the outbreak of war in 1914 the Regiment was expanded and utilised in Europe continuously from 1915-1919. 77 Officers and 789 other ranks were killed during the conflict.
Between the wars the Regiment reverted to a single Battalion, and remained as such until the outbreak of war in 1939 when a second battalion, and several Home Guard Companies were formed. The 1st and 2nd Battalions both participated in the defence of Singapore until the general surrender of the British forces on 15 February 1942.
Upon re-formation of the Territorial Army in 1947, the regiment remained part of the Territorial Army until it was finally disbanded in 1967. From 1971 to the present day, a Cambridgeshire Company exists as part of the 6th (Volunteer) Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Records
Cambridgeshire Archives holds an extensive, but rather miscellaneous collection relating to the activities of the Cambridgeshire Regiment including order books, correspondence, service records, publications, press cuttings and photographs. There is a strong emphasis on the activities of the Regiment during the First and Second World Wars.
The research notes of the former Regimental Archivist, Major Hutt, include personal papers and reminiscences of former Cambridgeshire Regiment soldiers. Much of this focuses on the defence of Singapore and subsequent captivity, for which very little in the way of official information has otherwise survived.
Some records have been incorporated into our online CALM catalogue. Please follow the link in the right hand column.
For a more detailed list of our holdings, click on the link under 'Publications'.
Further reading
A guide Military Sources in Cambridgeshire, is available for consultation in the Search room. The earlier history of the Regiment is well covered by Riddell and Clayton’s The Cambridgeshires 1914-1918 (Bowes, 1934) whereas W. Taylor’s With The Cambridgeshires at Singapore (Bevis, 1971) and J.S Cosford’s Line of Lost Lives (Gryphon, 1989) both focus on the Regiment during the Second World War. The Territorial Association’s We Also Served (Heffers, 1944) provides a comprehensive assessment of the Home Guard’s role in Cambridgeshire.