The West India Regiment then came into existence again on 1 January 1959, absorbing the greater part of the Jamaica Regiment (which simultaneously ceased to exist) with the officers and men of the Jamaica Regiment being transferred to the new WIR. The new WIR was headquartered in Jamaica at Harman Barracks in Kingston. In September 1960, plans were announced to raise two full battalions for the WIR, the 1st Battalion to be based in Jamaica and the 2nd Battalion in Trinidad and Tobago. The total strength of the regiment was to be 1,640, giving a total of 730 soldiers for each battalion.