21 SAS (Reserve)
| The Artists Rifles | |
|---|---|
Cap badge with profiles of Roman gods Mars and Minerva | |
| 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, UK |
| 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, is a regiment of the British 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. 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.