Post War Years 1945 – 1952
Both of the Regular Battalions remained busy in the immediate post war period. 1 DWR were serving in Palestine when the Germans finally signed for peace. From there they moved to Syria and then on to Khartoum in the Sudan. The 2nd Battalion were in India in 1945, but both Battalions were back in England by 1947 where a mass “rationalisation” in the organisation and administration of the Army had begun.
On 17th June 1948 the 1st and 2nd Battalion were amalgamated to become one single Battalion, designated the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) and were based at Strensall in York.
The period immediately after the war saw the Regiment reinforce its links with the West Riding. The reorganisation of the Army’s formation saw the Regiment reduced to: one regular battalion - 1 DWR, one TA infantry battalion - 5/7th DWR, a TA artillery regiment – 382 Medium Regiment RA (DWR) and the training Depot at Halifax.
The Freedom of Halifax was granted to the Regiment in 1945 (accepted by the 3rd Battalion due to operational commitments of the two Regular Battalions), followed by several other towns and cities across the region. In 1951 there was also the dedication of a second Regimental Chapel in the Halifax Parish Church. The introduction of National Service in 1949 also provided most of the soldiers and officers for many years to come. Serving two years with the Colours before returning to their homes ensured the name of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment was always held in high regard throughout the Riding. |
