The Isle of Wight Rifles were mobilised on the 4th of August 1914 and relieved the Royal Fusiliers of the duties in the Island Forts. They also took over the defence posts along the southern shores of the Island.
The 8th (Isle of Wight Rifles, Princess Beatrice's) Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, known informally as the 'Isle of Wight Rifles' or by the nickname 'The Isle of Wight Gurkhas' was formed to defend the Isle of Wight after a 19th Century invasion scare. The unit served as infantry during World War I, and as coastal defence artillery during World War II. Postwar it converted to the air defence role.