Yorkshire Regiment's future

The Yorkshire Regiment was formed from some of the most famous names in military history.

The Green Howards, for the last six years known as 2 Battalion, were first created at the end of the 17th Century, and other battalions within the regiment have similarly proud histories.

David Hirst takes a look at the traditions of our units which have fought proudly, and with distinction, for hundreds of years.

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• Yorkshire Regiment
• army

Three hundred and twenty four years of military tradition is to be consigned to the history books. The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment - formerly the Green Howards - is to be disbanded as part of Defence cuts.

The Battalion's demise - one of 17 major units to be axed - brings to an end speculation about the future of the four battalions which make up the Yorkshire Regiment.

There were fears that the 3rd Battalion was facing a bleak future, but today Defence Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed 2 Yorkshire, currently based in Cyprus, will go. The proposals will be implemented by the end of the decade. Here is Ben Erlam.

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• Yorkshire Regiment
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Newark MP and former Army officer Patrick Mercer gives his reaction to the cuts announced today by the Defence Secretary.

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• Patrick Mercer
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The Army is to lose 17 major units, including the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, in the biggest overhaul of the service for decades. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the changes were needed to create a "balanced, capable and adaptable force" for the future.

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• Yorkshire Regiment
• army

The Army is to lose 17 major units, including the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, in the biggest overhaul of the service for decades. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the changes were needed to create a "balanced, capable and adaptable force" for the future.

As well as the 2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment ( Green Howards) , who are based in Cyprus, three other infantry battalions are to be axed - the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh.

The changes - to be completed by the end of the decade - will see the regular Army cut from 102,000 to 82,000 while the Territorial Army will be expanded to give a combined force of 120,000.

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• Philip Hammond
• Yorkshire Regiment

2nd Yorkshire Battalion will be withdrawn from battle order, says defence Secretary

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• Yorkshire Regiment
• army