Rutland and the Armed Forces

Image of Military Personnel on parade at Oakham Castle
Military personnel at Oakham Castle

Rutland’s Armed Forces

The County of Rutland has a long and proud military history dating back to the very earliest times of formed militia and organized conflict in this country.  Of note the first Duke of Rutland (the grandson of King Edward III) was killed at the Battle of Agincourt alongside his cousin, King Henry V.  In (slightly) more recent times the formation of more structured Army units in Rutland included the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot in 1755, the Rutland Light Infantry at the turn of the 19th Century and, in 1794, the Rutland Regiment of Fencible Cavalry was raised in Oakham.  Its stables and riding school were situated in the buildings that now house the Rutland County Museum.

Throughout the 20th Century Rutland’s military history, along with its population of serving personnel who called Rutland home, was largely focused on the active RAF Stations at Cottesmore (until 2012) and North Luffenham (until 1997).  During the WWII there was also an additional bomber airfield at Woolfox Lodge (which then housed surface to air missiles until the 1960s) and even Stocken Hall, near Stretton, was used by the RAF for wartime accommodations and administration purposes.  Post-war elements of the V-Bomber Force, Thor Nuclear Missiles, the multinational Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment, and latterly the last RAF Harriers, were all based in Rutland.  We must not forget the Senior Service because, even though Rutland is a long way from the sea, there are still historical connections.  The Royal Navy’s Harrier Naval Strike Wing was based at RAF Cottesmore until 2010 and warships named HMS Oakham Castle and HMS Cottesmore have both served our nation with distinction. 

Rutland’s position as a ‘military county’ continues today with a very large proportion of the county’s residents maintaining a close connection to the Armed Forces.  It is estimated that approximately 20% of Rutland’s population are either currently Serving, Reservists, Veterans, MOD civilian workers, or family members of any of those groups.  A substantial proportion of those personnel are currently serving soldiers at one of the local Army Barracks (Kendrew near Cottesmore and St George’s near Edith Weston).  Kendrew Barracks is the home of the Headquarters of the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade, the famed ‘Desert Rats’, who have wide responsibilities for high readiness Regiments and Battalions located across the North and East of England.  Furthermore, Kendrew is also the home of both the 1st Battalion (The Vikings) and 2nd Battalion (The Poachers) of the Royal Anglian Regiment, whilst St George’s Barracks houses the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment. 

Rutland has a thriving veteran’s community with active Branches of both the Royal British Legion and the RAF Association.  There is also a very well supported Armed Forces & Veteran’s Breakfast Club, a Veteran’s coffee morning, and an Armed Forces Community Wellbeing Hub.  All of these groups meet monthly at locations within the county town of Oakham. 

For further information about any of these activities please contact Group Captain (Retired) Ian Reynolds DL via this email address: ian.reynolds390@outlook.com .