Raised in 1674 the regiment was in 1764 nicknamed the "Shiners"
from its smart and clean appearance; and whilst in the Peninsula
was called the "Old and Bold," "The Fighting Fifth," and also "Lord
Wellington's Bodyguard." It formed part of a small force which beat off
an overwhelming body of the enemy at El Boden in 1811, a performance
which Wellington notified to the Army as "a memorable example of what
can be done by steadiness, discipline, and confidence." A custom, which
has long prevailed in this regiment, is for all ranks to wear roses
in their caps on St. George's Day. Among the "men" who have served in
the ranks was Phœbe Hassell, the famous female soldier, afterwards
pensioned by George IV, and to whose memory there is a stone in the
churchyard at Hove, Brighton.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Warwick.)
(_Record Office_, Warwick.)
"Namur, 1695," "Martinique, 1794," "Roliça," "Vimiera," "Corunna,"
"Vittoria," "Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Orthes," "Peninsula,"
"Niagara," "South Africa, 1846-7, 1851-2-3," "Atbara," "Khartoum,"
"South Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Helmet.
_Cap_, Blue with scarlet band.
_Regimental March_, "Warwickshire Lads."
The regiment is one of the very few bearing a battle honour won in
Canada, that of "Niagara."