Since its founding in 1860, the soldiers of the Artists Rifles have included five Presidents of the Royal Academy, 50 Academicians and hundreds of sculptors, caricaturists, architects, writers and musicians.
The Artists Rifles Association exists to maintain and promote the traditions, name and esprit de corps of the Artists Rifles and to promote the well-being of those who have served in:
- The Artists Rifles Regiment, or
- No.163 Officer Cadet Training Unit, or
- 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve)
Artists and caricaturists in the Artists Rifles have left an extraordinary legacy of illustrated programmes, menus and other artwork inspired by their service
In 2023 there were approximately 800 members in the Artists Rifles Association.
The Association arranges social activities for its members and supports the regimental museum.
Individuals within the Artists Rifles Association have formed their own interest groups, such as:
- Artists Rifles Golf Club
- Artists Rifles Rugby Team
- Curry Club (Lunch Club)
- Rail Club (Lunch Club)
- Annual Artists Rifles Association reunion lunch
- Cricket Club
- Summer regional lunches
- Christmas reunion
- Tabbers & Hobblers Walking groups
- Motorcycle Club
Legacy Donations
At the Artists Rifles Collection, we are keen to obtain memorabilia and equipment associated with the regiment. If you, or a relative from the Artists Rifles, have any old equipment or a uniform taking up space in your attic, we would love to have it.
We also have a number of ongoing projects to improve and research the Artists Rifles’ extraordinary archive and collection (for example we are currently transcribing the thousands of names in the enrolment registers from 1860 to World War I), for which we are looking for donations.