The Royal Anglian Regiment was formed in 1964, thus becoming the first large Regiment of Infantry in the British Army. The Regiment consists of two Regular battalions and one TA battalion, with Regimental Headquarters located at Bury St Edmunds.

The 1st Battalion (the Vikings), who recruit their soldiers from East Anglia, are based in Pirbright, Surrey. The Battalion is part of 12 Mechanised Brigade and recently has seen operational service in Afghanistan (2002) and Iraq (2005). The Battalion is due to deploy to Afghanistan in April 2007.

The 2nd Battalion (the Poachers) who recruit from the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are based in Tern Hill, Shropshire. The Battalion is in a Light Role and is due to move to Celle, Germany in August 2007 as part of 7 Armoured Brigade. The Battalion has recently seen operational service in Sierra Leone (2000), Afghanistan (2003) and Iraq (2006).

The 3rd Battalion has its Battalion Headquarters based in Bury St Edmunds and has companies in Norwich, Lincoln, Leicester and Chelmsford. The Battalion's role is the lead Civil Contingency Reaction Force unit (responsible for aid in the event of civil disaster, emergency or terrorist attack) within East Anglia and the East Midlands and it provides sub units and individual reinforcements to Regular units.

The Regiment has strong links with the Worshipful Company of Poulters and each year members of the Regiment compete for the Poulters' Prize which is awarded to the officer or soldier who has, "best promoted the ethos of the Royal Anglian Regiment in a significant way”

It consists of three Squadrons, based in Ilford (with Regimental Headquarters), Aylesbury and Colchester with further centres in Norwich, Bedford, Ipswich, Cambridge and Southend on Sea. With an establishment of 346 and unusually for the TA, being fully recruited, the regiment has a key role in the provision of communications for civil contingencies primarily in the East of England and as a reserve for civil contingencies in London. It has recently taken an active role in the provision of communications for service personnel covering a fire strike in Suffolk and the 7th of July outrages in London. Again unusually for the TA the regiment is the only one completing this task, they are not there to support regular troops.

Being based in Ilford the Regiment has developed a strong link with the Worshipful Company of Poulters and each year the Master presents the "Poulters Plate" to the best soldier in the Regiment.