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Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)

Last modified: 2026-04-18 by rob raeside
Keywords: parachute regiment |
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[] Type A     [] Type B
images by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

There are two styles of Parachute Regimental Flags in use.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

On this page: See also:

Introduction: The Parachute Regiment

The Parachute Regiment, known as "The Paras," are an elite airborne infantry regiment of the British Army. It was first formed in June of 1940 during World War II to conduct airborne operations and act as shock troops desparately needed as England struggled against the German and Italian onslaught. The regiment participated in key operations which included parachute assaults in the Netherlands, North Africa and Italy. The regiment remains active and has participated in most conflicts since that time. Today they are held at high readiness to deploy rapidly worldwide for both combat operations or humanitarian assistance in times of need.
The units Latin motto says it all, Utrinque Paratus meaning "Ready for Anything."
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Flags of the Parachute Regiment (PARA)

The regiment consists of three regular battalions and one reserve battalion. They remains the British Army's rapid response units.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (1 PARA)

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

The 1st Battalion is part of the larger Special Forces Support Group.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

2nd and 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiments (2 PARA, 3 PARA)

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images by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions serve as the parachute infantry component of the Air Assault Brigade Combat Team (1999-present).
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

4th Battalion Parachute Regiment (4 PARA)

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

The 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment are the "reserves" who are called to duty when and if needed.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Flags of the Parachute Regiment Headquarters and Support Units

Parachute Regiment HQ (Headquarters) Unit Flag

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

The HQ flag displays the colours of the four battalions of the Parachute Regiment in numeral order right to left.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026.

Parachute Regiment Depot Flag

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Between 1942 and 1993 the Parachute Regiments Depot (Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Depot) was located at Hardwick, in Cheshire, as the British Army training centre responsible for preparing recruits for service in the Parachute Regiment and other airborne units.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Parachute Regiment - Guards Platoon

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

The Guards are a small, elite unit within the Parachute Regiment, which were once part of the elite Guards Division. These units were responsible for high-risk parachute insertion tasks, often acting as the vanguard in major operations. The Guards Parachute Platoon continues this tradition, providing specialist airborne infantry capability, now mainly attached to 3 PARA (3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment).
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Unofficial Parachute Regiment Souvenir Flags

1. Pegasus "Parachute" Regiment Flag (Unofficial)

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026
based on this image discovered by Steve Trebs, 14 March 2012

This is a souvenir-type flag related to the Parachute Regiment. It depicts Bellerophon mounted on Pegasus, and the design was used as the "flash" (arm patch insignia) by all Airborne troops from the Second World War until 1999. Source: BBC News Article.
Ian Sumner, 15 March 2012

2. Parachute Regiment "Parachute" Flag (Unofficial)

[RAF Yacht Club] image located by Steve Trebs, 14 March 2012

This is a British souvenir-type pennant/ensign related to the Parachute Regiment. It is similar to a flag sold today by the Parachute Regiment for the use of veterans' or soldiers' families at https://www.airbornepri.com/parachute-regiment-flag.
Ian Sumner, 15 March 2012

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images by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

There are many manufacturer variants to this basic design. I used more modern variants of this type of flag in place of an earlier one discovered by Steve, because they are being sold today. Source: Airborne Shop.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

3. Parachute Regiment "Union Jack " Flag (Unofficial)

[RAF Yacht Club] image by Pete Loeser 19 April 2026
based on this image provided by Peter Edwards, 25 January 2019

This Rectangle Union flag variant (circa 42 x 29 inches) is charged with the cap badge of the Parachute Regiment. "Image is printed on one side, and is visible on the other side (inverted)."
Source: accessed on 25 January 2019 is https://www.airborneshop.com/gifts/flags/union-jack-parachute-regiment-flag
Peter Edwards, 25 January 2019

4. Parachute Regiment "Battle Honors" Flags (Unofficial)

[RAF Yacht Club]     [RAF Yacht Club] Images located by Pete Loeser 19 April 2026

There are several manufacturer variants of the unofficial "Battle Honours" Flags being marketed. These are two of them.
Source: Bing Search: Parachute Regiment Battle Honours flags.
Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026

Possible Parachute Regiment "Pegasus" Yacht Pennant

[] image by Pete Loeser, 19 April 2026
based on this image discovered by William Garrison, 19 March 2026

A World War II-era, UK, generic "Pegasus Parachute Regiment" pennant; size 18 x 13-3/4 inches having the insignia of the Winged Pegasus on both sides. The image represents Bellerophon riding the winged-horse, Pegasus, in a cloak and ancient Greek helmet holding aloft a spear, on a faded, maroon stripe. "Bellerophon ...was a divine Corinthian hero of Greek mythology, the son of Poseidon and Eurynome, ... He was the greatest hero and slayer of monsters, alongside Cadmus and Perseus, before the days of Heracles." (Sources: Wikipedia:Bellerophon and many other different UK WWII parachute units are identified at Wikipedia: List of World War II_British_airborne_battalions.) A history of the development of this logo is also found at IWM Collections.
William Garrison, 19 March 2026.