6 RIFLES has around 500 part-time soldiers from a wide variety of backgrounds, making us one of the largest reservist units in the British Army. The headquarters is in Wyvern Barracks, Exeter and the remainder of the battalion is spread over ten locations across the South West, with company headquarters and outstations in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The battalion has three rifle companies and a headquarters company, each comprising approximately 100 Riflemen and the accomplished, 30-strong Salamanca Band and Bugles that supports a variety of Defence tasks.

6 RIFLES has recently returned from an operational deployment as the United Nations Roulement Battle Group, and the lead unit on Operation TOSCA - the UK's contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force In Cyprus. The Battalion assumed responsibility for Sector 2 in Nicosia from its sibling battalion 7 RIFLES, in the first such handover between two reserve units on operations in recent memory.

7 RIFLES is the Reserve Infantry Battalion of The Rifles for London and the South East. We trace our heritage back to the original skirmishers and sharpshooters of the 1800s.

Comprising of 500 Reservists from culturally diverse backgrounds, we and have bases in London, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire

We offer a range of combat and combat service support roles, including our accomplished Waterloo Band and Bugles.

As part of the Army’s largest Regiment, and as a Reserve component within the 3rd UK Division under command of 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, we have unparalleled access to the widest possible roles and deployment opportunities.

We therefore stand ready to support 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade as part of the Iron Fist in the Iron Division, and recent examples include:

• Operations in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN.
• Providing training teams to MALAWI, SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA, UGANDA.
• Supporting regional and local government efforts on Op PITCHPOLE (flooding) and Op RESCRIPT (Covid19 response).
• Peacekeeping operations in CYPRUS.

The Battalion is paired with 2 RIFLES and its principal mission is to train and prepare Reserve Riflemen for front line Light Infantry operations, where they serve alongside and integrated within Regular RIFLES units.

Reserve service in 8 RIFLES allows individuals to work outside the Army and yet commit to being a Rifleman part time. Training takes place over periodic weekends throughout the year, training nights during the week and for a consolidated 2-week period each year. Attendance at any specific training event is voluntary to take account of an individual's civilian commitments. Reserve Riflemen are paid for the training they undertake and can earn a financial bonus at the end of each year. The Training is varied, based upon the sort of skills all people need and includes: military training, adventurous training, fitness training and sport, together with overseas travel.

Reserve Riflemen wishing to commit to further training or an operational tour alongside a Regular unit have the opportunity to do so. Ex Regular Army officers and soldiers are very welcome and joining the Reserve may attract a financial bonus.

The Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles is part of 7 RIFLES and rehearses in our own modern band block at Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon.  We play the same type of music and get paid the same as our colleagues in the Regular Army, but only part-time.   Unlike our Regular colleagues, we are directly under the command of The Rifles regiment and uphold their traditions of uniform, cap badge, music and distinctly fast marching pace, with pride.

The Waterloo Band & Bugles is a flexible and versatile ensemble and can provide musical support for almost any occasion from a full 35-piece concert and marching band to groups such as a brass quintet, clarinet quartet and saxophone quintet for smaller venues. Our buglers perform both with the band and alone as a platoon, playing traditional calls for mess dinners, weddings, funerals and remembrance ceremonies.

The Band & Bugles travel extensively, fulfilling engagements both throughout the UK and abroad. They have played in Cyprus, Bermuda, Denmark and France as well as Horse Guards Parade in London in recent years, and musicians have visited Georgia and Armenia and performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo.

To find out more about The Waterloo Band and Bugles, please contact: [email protected] or 01235 548028