About

The newly created Rifles Garden is located within Kings Garden, on Torquay’s seafront.

Funded by Clear Channel UK as part of their social value commitment to the borough. The garden is a result of a dedicated fund to invest in local projects that deliver additional benefits to Torbay’s residents as part of the media owner’s digital advertising portfolio in the Bay.  

The garden, expertly planted and designed by SWISCo in consultation with Torbay Council, Clear Channel UK, community representatives and The Rifles Regiment, reflects many attributes of The Rifles Regiment. A sharp disciplined design, surrounded by vibrant plants that reflect the regimental colours of red, black, and green.

In the middle of the garden, stands a Sentinel made from brown granite that originates from Dartmoor. Inscribed by a local Stone Mason with The Rifles badge and their motto ‘Swift and Bold’ which encompasses all it is to be a Rifleman.

The Rifles was formed in 2007 and is the British Army’s largest infantry regiment with seven battalions based across the United Kingdom. It’s Colonel-in-Chief is Her Majesty The Queen.

With a motto of Swift and Bold, the regiment holds a record 913 battle honours including 116 Victoria Crosses. The Riffles was involved throughout the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns and more recently was deployed to Estonia in June 2022.

Riflemen first emerged in the late 1700’s where the concept of infantrymen, dressed in green uniform, armed with rifles rather than muskets, operated across the battlefield on their own initiative and who were separate to the red coated line infantry regiments. Drummers were unable to communicate instructions across the wide distances and noise of battle and instead the bugle with its clarion call, was selected for us by Riflemen. For that reason, The Riffles’ uniquely Sound Retreat, rather than Beat Retreat like the rest of the British Army.