Merseyside Soldiers Save Duke of Lancaster's Reserve Infantry Regiment From Closure

Picture: 4 Lancs on Op Tosca in Cyprus

Merseyside reservist soldiers are celebrating after winning the battle to save Liverpool's last infantry unit from closure. 

The 4th Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (4 LANCS) was told two years ago it would lose its 'A' Company as part of wider Army restructuring.

Not wanting to be disbanded, the unit set about recruiting new soldiers and demonstrating the skills they bring to the wider Army Reserves.

The decision was reviewed and reversed - and the unit is being relaunched today.

Major Andy Holsgrove, Officer Commanding 4 LANCS ‘A’ Company, said:

“Closure would have left Liverpool without an Infantry presence for the first time in over 250 years. So a significant effort was launched concentrating on developing, recruiting and enhancing the capabilities of the Company.

“We wanted to show the usability and capability of reserve forces and their increasing relevance in support of on-going UK military operations at home and abroad. For example, our soldiers have recently returned from a six-month deployment serving on a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cyprus.”

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is the Infantry regiment which recruits from across North-West of England and consists of two full-timeime regular battalions (1 LANCS and 2 LANCS) and one Reserve battalion (4 LANCS).