The 1st Battalion (64th Foot) was raised in 1756, the facings being
black. It took part in the hardest fighting in the West Indies and
America, being engaged there off and on till 1815, reaching home just
too late to take part in the battle of Waterloo. The regiment was on
board the "Alert," when she was wrecked near Halifax, N.S., all ranks
remaining below silent and under perfect discipline, while the vessel
was run ashore. Had the men attempted to reach the deck the vessel
would have foundered. By their discipline everyone aboard was saved,
and the Duke of Wellington ordered that the details should be published
throughout the Army as an example of discipline. The 2nd Battalion
(98th Foot) was raised in 1824 and served in the Crimean War. The 98th
was honoured with the title of "Prince of Wales's" in recognition of
the duties performed by the Corps during the Prince of Wales's visit to
Malta.
Nicknamed: "The Black Knots" as distinct from "The Staffordshire Knots"
of the South Staffordshire Regiment.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Pontefract.)
(_Record Office_, York.)