The regiment is the oldest English infantry unit, having been raised
in 1661 by the Earl of Peterborough. Nicknamed "Kirke's Lambs," from
its Colonel and badge in 1682. Was raised to garrison Tangier, and
received then the badge of the "Paschal Lamb," the crest of the House
of Braganza. Was known when raised as the "1st Tangerines." The title
"Royal" and motto, _Pristinæ virtutis memor_, was conferred for its
brilliant conduct at Tongres in 1685, where for 28 hours it gallantly
maintained itself against 40,000 of the enemy, and by its heroism saved
the rest of the army from being taken by surprise.
A detachment was on board the "Birkenhead" when that transport was
wrecked, and in order to allow the women and children to be saved,
stood firm in their ranks on the deck of the doomed ship, until the
waves swallowed all but the deathless glory of their deed.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Canterbury.)
(_Record Office_, Hounslow.)
"Blenheim," "Ramillies," "Oudenarde," "Malplaquet," "Dettingen,"
"Guadaloupe, 1759," "Douro," "Talavera," "Albuhera," "Vittoria,"
"Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Nive," "Orthes," "Toulouse," "Peninsula,"
"Punniar," "Sevastopol," "Taku Forts," "South Africa, 1879,"
"Chitral," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa,
1900-02."
Motto: _Veteri frondescit honore_ (May it flourish by its ancient
honors).
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Buff.
_Head-dress_, Helmet.
_Cap_, Blue.
_Regimental March_, "The Buffs."
Allied Regiment, 2nd Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, Toronto.