Raised in 1755, and given black facings, which were retained till the
"Royal" title was bestowed in 1831. No regiment has a more honourable
record of service. The brunt of the battle of Corunna fell on the 50th,
whom Sir John Moore congratulated during the battle, calling out "Well
done, 50th! well done!"
Nicknames: "The Blind Half-Hundred," and "The Dirty Half-Hundred," from
the men in action and in "_sweating_" weather wiping their faces with
their black cuffs; also "The Devil's Royals." During the war in Spain,
at the battle of Vimiera, 1807, the 50th completely routed the enemy,
and received the title of "The Gallant Fiftieth."
The 2nd Battalion (97th Foot) nicknamed "The Celestials," from its
former sky-blue facings.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Pontefract.)
(_Record Office_, York.)
"Minden," "Corunna," "Fuentes d'Onor," "Salamanca," "Vittoria,"
"Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Orthes," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Pegu,"
"Ali Masjid," "Afghanistan, 1878-80," "Burma, 1885-87," "Modder
River," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Motto: _Cede nullis_ (Yield to none).
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Helmet.
_Cap_, Dark green.
_Regimental March_, "Jockey to the Fair."
Allied Regiment, 105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers) of Canada.