| The Artists Rifles | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of The Artists Rifles | |
| Active | 1859–1945 1947–present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army Reserve |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Special operations |
| Part of | United Kingdom Special Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Regent's Park Barracks, London, United Kingdom |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | 8 VCs, 56 DSOs, 893 MCs, 26 DFCs, 15 AFCs, 6 DCMs, 15 MMs, 14 MSMs, 564 MIDs (First World War) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Henry Wyndham Phillips and Frederic Leighton |
The 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve), historically known as The Artists Rifles[nb 1] is a regiment of the Army Reserve. Its name is abbreviated to 21 SAS(R).
Raised in London in 1859 as a volunteer light infantry unit, the regiment saw active service during the Second Boer War and the First World War, earning a number of battle honours. During the Second World War, it was used as an officer training unit. The regiment was disbanded in 1945, but in 1947 it was re-established to resurrect the Special Air Service Regiment.[2] Together with 23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve) (23 SAS(R)), it forms the Special Air Service (Reserve) (SAS(R)) part of the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) directorate.[3]
- ^ "Regiment page". Artists Rifles Association. 2016. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023.
- ^ Gregory, p. 297
- ^ "21 & 23 Special Air Service (SAS)". British Army. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
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