 The regiment was formed on 1 July 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot and the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot.Under the reforms, each line infantry regiment was to have a defined regimental district, with two regular battalions sharing a single permanent depot.At any one time, one battalion was to be on foreign service and one on "home" service.