The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire is currently a light role infantry battalion based in Chester. Shortly it will be moving to Northern Ireland to begin a tour based in Omagh.
The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire is proud to be the oldest Yorkshire Infantry Regiment. Its two founding Regiments were the XIV and XV of Foot, both formed on 22 June 1685. Since then, they have served in every major Army commitment with the highest standards, and were merged together in 1958.
1 PWO is a very close, family regiment, recruiting from specific areas of Yorkshire. The vast majority of soldiers currently serving with 1 PWO are recruited from York, Leeds, Bradford, Hull and Sheffield. This means many of its members come from the same towns and schools, with similar backgrounds, and helps make new members rapidly feel at home.
The Battalion is currently a light role infantry battalion, equipped with rifles, general purpose machine guns, mortars, Milan anti-tank missiles and the latest Wolf Land Rovers. It is designed to be a fast moving, rapidly mobile, war winning organisation.
In recent years, members of 1 PWO have been decorated for bravery in the Gulf, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo. In addition, soldiers continue to serve with the United Nations across the world.
Since 1996, 1 PWO soldiers have exercised in Norway, Belgium, Canada, Jamaica, Belize, Brunei, South Africa, Oman and Italy. There has never been a better time to join and see the world.
1 PWO is proud of its sporting successes. In particular, we have very strong rugby union and league teams, a football squad that consistently wins major Army and Infantry competitions, and a long tradition of excellence in athletics and running.