Barbados Regiment - History of The Barbados Regiment

History of The Barbados Regiment

The Barbados Regiment was founded in 1902 as the Barbados Volunteer Force, a volunteer unit raised to provide for the local defense of the island following the withdrawal of the British garrison. Soldiers of the BVF was involved in both the First and Second World Wars as part of both the South Caribbean Force and the Caribbean Regiment.

In 1948, the BVF was re-established and renamed the Barbados Regiment. The regiment received its first stand of colours in 1953. These colours were later changed after the country gained Independence. Between 1959 and 1962, Barbados was part of the Federation of the West Indies, and thus contributed to the 3rd Battalion, West India Regiment. On the break-up of the Federation, Barbados regained its independence and saw the Barbados Regiment returned to service.

Although the regiment's primary role is to defend Barbados, it also provides the country's commitment to UN peacekeeping forces, predominantly in the Caribbean region. The regiment also participated, along with the Jamaica Regiment and the Rifle Company, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, in the United States led invasion of Grenada in 1983.