23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment
The 23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment was an auxiliary unit of the British Army. Formed in 1908 from Volunteer units in the Surrey suburbs of London that dated back to 1859, it was part of the London Regiment in the Territorial Force (TF). Its battalions served on the Western Front, at Salonika and in Palestine during World War I. When the London Regiment was abolished the unit reverted to the East Surrey Regiment but just before World War II it was converted to armour as two battalion of the Royal Tank Regiment. In this role it fought in North Africa, including the Battle of Alamein, and in Italy and North West Europe. Postwar it reverted to infantry in 1956 and later was amalgamated with other Surrey battalions into the Queen's Regiment. Its successors continue in today's London Guards.
| 7th Surrey Rifle Volunteers 4th Volunteer Bn, East Surrey Regiment 23rd Bn, London Regiment 7th (23rd London) Bn, East Surrey Regiment 42nd Royal Tank Regiment | |
|---|---|
Headquarters of the 23rd London Regiment, built in 1887 | |
| Active | 30 November 1859–1 May 1961 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Volunteer Force/Territorial Force/Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry Battalion Tank Regiment |
| Role | Infantry, Armoured |
| Size | 1–3 Battalions |
| Part of | Surrey Brigade 47th (2nd London) Division |
| Garrison/HQ | St John's Hill drill hall, Lavender Hill, London |
| Nickname(s) | 'Kennington Guards' |
| Motto(s) | Tuebor ('I will protect') 'Loyalty Unites Us' |
| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col Francis Marcus Beresford |