The regiment has a very ancient history, having existed for some time
before being brought on the British establishment in 1688. It fought
at Namur in 1695, and in 1707 was one of the regiments cut up at the
fierce battle of Almanza. It won much distinction at the battle of
Saragossa, and Colonel Harrison, who then commanded, was, as a mark of
honour to the regiment, sent home with thirty standards, taken that
day, to lay before the Sovereign. Tradition has it that one was the
standard belonging to a Moorish Regiment in the Spanish pay, bearing an
Antelope, and that that badge was forthwith conferred on the regiment.
It won great fame during the Peninsular War. In the action at Echalar,
2nd August, 1813, its conduct was described by Wellington as "the most
gallant and the finest thing he had ever witnessed." The title "Royal"
was conferred in 1832.
It was nicknamed "Guise's Geese," also "The Warwickshire Lads," and
"The Saucy Sixth."
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Hounslow.)
(_Record Office_, Hounslow.)
"Namur, 1695," "Martinique, 1809," "Talavera," "Busaco,"
"Albuhera," "Badajoz," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Pyrenees,"
"Orthes," "Toulouse," "Peninsula," "Alma," "Inkerman,"
"Sevastopol," "Kandahar, 1880," "Afghanistan, 1879-80," "Relief of
Ladysmith," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Racoon-skin cap, with white plume on right side.
_Cap_, Blue, with scarlet band.
_Regimental March_, "British Grenadiers."
Until after the Crimean War there were no 2nd Lieutenants or
Ensigns in this regiment. The regiment has the privilege of
marching through the City of London with fixed bayonets, drums
beating, and colours flying.