Yorkshire’s Infantry have always been on the front-line from the North American Wars, foot soldiers at Waterloo and first on the beaches on D-Day.
Under Future Soldier, the regiment is embracing the opportunities to meet the threats of the future. The 1st Battalion are transforming over 20 years’ experience as Armoured Infantry into an exciting new, Light Mechanised role. Experts in close combat and urban operations, the 2nd Battalion, as part of 11 Brigade, serves as the Near Surface Operations Battalion. They specialise in the use of drones and other uncrewed platforms to gather vital battlefield intelligence. Additionally, they are trained to detect and counter enemy forces employing similar technologies against British troops.
They are both partnered by our 4th Battalion Army Reserve who provide a demonstrably credible light-infantry capability, as well as supporting UK Resilience.
We pride ourselves on being a county and family regiment, from our serving personnel and their families, to our service leavers, veterans and cap-badged cadets.
Apply nowActive from
6 June 2006
Role
Light Mechanised Infantry
Specialism
Near Surface Operations
The Royal Yorkshire Regiment stands ready to deploy with determination and professionalism, embodying the spirit and strength of Yorkshire. We are trained to the highest standards, prepared to operate across diverse environments and missions. Proud, resilient, and adaptable, we are the backbone of the UK’s enduring land capability.
- Royal Yorkshire Regiment: Steadfast in defence and decisive in action
- Tough, disciplined infantry soldiers
- Physically robust and mentally resolute
- Versatile across a wide spectrum of operations and training
- Self-reliant and resourceful in the field
- Committed to innovation and effective problem solving
- Resilient under pressure – we endure and overcome
- Loyal to our comrades and dedicated to our mission
- We care for our Regimental family, remembering those veterans that have served before us, and the cadets who are the next generation.
Operational History of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Since its formation on 6 June 2006 as The Yorkshire Regiment, and following the granting of the Royal title by His Majesty King Charles III in April 2023, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment has built a strong operational record across Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Cyprus and wider NATO commitments.
1. Iraq - Operation Telic and Operation Shader
The Regiment’s first major operational deployment came soon after formation, when 1 YORKS deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 9 in 2006-2007. The battalion served in Basra Province as part of the UK’s continuing security mission in southern Iraq.
The Regiment also contributed to the final stages of the UK’s Operation Telic commitment. In 2009, Alma Company, 3 YORKS, deployed on the Baghdad Protection Force task and was recorded in regimental material as the last combat unit to leave Iraq during that phase of operations.
The Regiment later returned to Iraq under Operation Shader, the UK mission against Daesh/Islamic State. In 2014, personnel from 2 YORKS were deployed to Irbil to support the training of Kurdish forces. More recently, personnel from 1 R YORKS have deployed on Operation SHADER in northern Iraq, including in 2023-2024.
2. Afghanistan - Operation Herrick
Afghanistan was central to the Regiment’s early operational history. 2 YORKS deployed on Operation Herrick 7 in 2007, taking on an Operational Mentoring and Liaison role with the Afghan National Army in Helmand Province. The battalion operated around Camp Shorabak and deployed with Afghan units in areas including Gereshk, Sangin and Musa Qala.
The Regiment is particularly associated with the Battle of Musa Qala in December 2007, a major operation involving Afghan forces, 2 YORKS and coalition partners. The Regiment continues to mark Helmand Day in recognition of this period of service.
Further deployments followed, including 3 YORKS on Operation Herrick and later deployments by 1 YORKS, reflecting the Regiment’s sustained contribution to UK operations in Afghanistan.
3. The Balkans - Bosnia and Kosovo
From its earliest days, the Regiment also maintained commitments in the Balkans. Regimental accounts note that Yorkshire soldiers were present in Bosnia around the time of the Regiment’s formation, continuing the British Army’s peace-support role in the region.
The Regiment also deployed to Kosovo, including on Operation Oculus, supporting NATO’s stabilisation mission following Kosovo’s declaration of independence. More recently, Royal Yorkshire Regiment soldiers have again been involved in NATO activity in the Balkans, including a 2024 deployment into Kosovo.
4. Cyprus, Readiness and Wider Commitments
The Regiment has also fulfilled important standing commitments in Cyprus. In 2022, 2 YORKS completed a two-year deployment there, handing over the Regional Standby Battalion role after delivering continuous operational output.
Today, 1 R YORKS sits within the Army’s light mechanised infantry capability and has been closely connected with NATO readiness commitments, including the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force through 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team.
Alongside overseas operations, the Regiment has also supported domestic resilience tasks in the UK, including flood-response training and emergency support.
The Royal Yorkshire Regiment's Battalions are based in the following locations:
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1st Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Bourlon Barracks, Catterick
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2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Battlesbury Barracks, Warminster
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4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Wolseley Barracks, York
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Regimental Headquarters The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
York
To find out more about joining the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, click the link below.
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Our equipment
On its introduction, it proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned.
The Javelin anti-tank weapon and the Next-generation light anti-tank weapon.
The general purpose machine gun (GPMG) can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire role.
They are designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres.
High explosive, smoke and illuminating rounds to a maximum range of 5650m.
The SV fleet provides far greater mobility than previous generation cargo vehicles
The ATV's alone can reach speeds of up to 75kph
It has a capacity for a combination of up to four stretchers or six seated casualties
Jackal 2 is a high mobility weapons platform, with a unique air-bag suspension system allowing rapid movement across varying terrain
Foxhound has a top speed of 112 kph but can still protect against improvised explosive devices thanks to its v-shaped hull.
Foxhound