A CEREMONY marked the end of an era for Dorset Territorial Army soldiers and army cadets - and the beginning of a new chapter in the county's rich military history.
The colours of the Devon and Dorset Light Infantry were laid up for a final time in Exeter last month ahead of the regiment becoming the 1st Battalion The Rifles.
Now members of the regiment's TA section - the Rifle Volunteers - have taken part in a special ceremony in Dorchester to re-badge as part of the changes.
During the ceremony at the town's TA Centre the soldiers donned the cap badge of the new regiment for the first time.
Dorchester mayor Councillor Robin Potter and town councillors joined Territorial Army soldiers and cadets for the ceremony before tucking into a curry supper.
The Rifles were created from the merger of The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry, The Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets - and officially came into being on February 1.
The infantry regiment is the largest in the British Army.
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