The story of the Leeds Rifles

It’s the regiment which boasted members of prominent Leeds families among its ranks. Dads, brothers and uncles of the Kitson, Lupton and Tetley families all served with the Leeds Rifles. It was first raised in 1859 when the Volunteer Force was formed to meet the threat of invasion by France as the 7th Yorkshire, West Riding (Leeds) Rifle Volunteer Corps. Their first barracks were in Park Street and in the 1880s the Leeds Rifles became a Volunteer Battalion of The Prince of Wales’s own (West Yorkshire Regiment). The Leeds Rifles bought the old militia barracks at Carlton Hill and in 1888 completed a new drill hall - the old entrance on Carlton Hill still bears the name Leeds Rifles. They saw active service in the Boer War where they were awarded their first battle honour - a memorial to those who died was unveiled in Leeds Parish Church. The Volunteer Force became the Territorial Force in 1908 and the unit became two battalions - the first serving in the Great War in Flanders. The second line battalion saw active service in 1917 and fought to recapture Marne - they were awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1918 for gallantry in capturing Bligny Ridge; around 2,050 members of the Leeds Rifles died on active service. Both Leeds Rifles battalions reformed in 1920 and in the late 1930s the 8th Battalion was converted to the anti-aircraft role as the 66th (Leeds Rifles) Heavy Anti-aircraft RA (TA). The 7th Battalion became a tank unit. In 1961 the Battalions became infantry and were amalgamated to become The Leeds Rifles The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire (TA) and in 1967 a new Volunteer Regiment (Yorkshire Volunteers) was formed. In 1969 The Leeds Rifles became E (Leeds Rifles) Company at Leeds and the C Company was formed in Castleford in 1971. In 1993 The Rifles were serving as a Company of 3rd Battalion The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire. The Leeds Rifles were reduced to a platoon of Imphal Company and East & West Riding Regiment as a result of the Strategic Defence Review of 1998 based at Harewood Barracks on Regent Street/Skinner Lane. READ MORE: Leeds Pals - The story of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia