Catalogue description 23RD LONDON REGIMENT, FORMERLY 4TH VOLUNTEER BATTALION, 7TH BATTALION AND 42ND ROYAL TANK REGIMENT

The Battalion traces its roots back to the Newington Volunteers, raised in 1798. Although this unit was disbanded in 1914, it is still linked to the Battalion. The Battalion also retains part of the Colour of the Loyal Volunteers of St John, a unit from the same period.

The Battalion's continuous history begins in 1859 with the creation in Southwark of the 7th Surrey Rifle Volunteers. In 1880, it absorbed the 26th Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps at Battersea. In 1882, it was associated with the East Surrey Regiment, building on earlier links, and in 1887 was redesignated the 4th Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Many members of the Battalion chose to serve in South Africa during the Boer War, and I Company of 2nd Battalion was comprised of members of the 4th Volunteer Battalion. In 1908, with the creation of the Territorial Force, the Battalion became 23rd (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment.

In 1915, a 2/23rd Battalion was raised and the original Battalion became 1/23rd Battalion. Together with 1/21st, 1/22nd and 1/24th Battalions, London Regiment, it formed part of 142nd Brigade, 47th (London) Division, and served in France throughout World War I. In 1916, it returned to the Corps of the East Surreys, but its title remained unchanged.

After the war, the Battalion was disbanded and reactivated in 1920 as the 23rd London Regiment. In 1937, the Battalion became 7th (23rd London) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. In 1938, it was converted to a tank battalion and redesignated 42nd Royal Tank Regiment, although it did retain a connection to the East Surreys. At the same time, a second battalion, to be known as the 48th Royal Tank Regiment was raised.

The Battalion spent the first part of World War II training in England before being posted to the Middle East in 1941. It was later sent to Palestine to work with new experimental tanks, equipped for night fighting. It took these tanks to Normandy in 1944, but was not involved in any operations. In 1947, the Battalion was reformed. In 1956, it reverted to its original role as an infantry battalion, and rejoined the East Surrey Regiment, becoming known as the 23rd London Regiment, the East Surrey Regiment. In 1961, it amalgamated with 6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, to become 4th Battalion, the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment.