=1st Batt.=
1740-48. The 58th (The 7th, or Cornwall's Marines) Regiment; disbanded.
1748-57. The 50th (Shirley's American Provincials) Regiment of Foot;
disbanded.
1757-82. The 50th (raised in 1751 as the 52nd) Regiment of Foot.
1782-1827. The 50th (West Kent) Regiment of Foot.
1827-31. The 50th (The Duke of Clarence's) Regiment of Foot.
1831-81. The 50th (The Queen's Own) Regiment of Foot.
=2nd Batt.=
1759-63. The 97th Regiment of Foot; disbanded.
1779-83. The 97th Regiment of Foot; disbanded.
1794-95. The 97th (Strathspey Highlanders) Regiment; disbanded, the
flank companies going to the Black Watch.
1798-1802. The 97th (Queen's Germans); renumbered The 96th.
1804-18. The 98th Regiment of Foot; renumbered and disbanded as
The 97th.
1824-81. The 97th (The Earl of Ulster's) Regiment of Foot.
1881 (from). The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment.
PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGNS, BATTLES, &c.
* "Honours" on the Colours, the figures showing the Battalion
concerned.
1759-62. Germany.
1760. Corbach.
1761. Belle Isle.
1761. Kirk Denkern.
1762. Wilhelmstahl.
1783. Gibraltar.
1793. Toulon.
1794. Corsica.
1797-99. Portugal.
*1801. Egypt (1).
1801. Mandora.
1801. Alexandria.
1807. Copenhagen.
1808. Cadiz.
*1808-14. Peninsula (1).
1808. Roleia.
*1808. Vimiera (1).
*1809. Corunna (1).
1809. Flushing.
*1812. Almaraj (1).
1812. Badajos.
*1813. Vittoria (1).
1813. Maya.
*1813. Pyrenees (1).
*1813. Nive (1).
*1814. Orthes (1).
1814. Plattsburg.
*1843. Punniar (1).
*1845. Moodkee (1).
*1845. Ferozeshah (1).
*1846. Aliwal (1).
*1846. Sobraon (1).
*1854. Alma (1).
*1854. Inkerman (1).
*1855. Sevastopol (1 & 2).
1857-58. Indian Mutiny.
*1858. Lucknow (2).
*1863-66. New Zealand (1).
1881. South Africa.
*1882. Egypt (1).
*1884-85. Nile (1).
1900. South Africa.
UNIFORM.--1st Batt., Scarlet with Scarlet facings (1755-67);
Scarlet with Black facings (1767-1831); Scarlet with Blue facings
(from 1831). 2nd Batt., Scarlet with Sky-blue facings (on
formation in 1824).
REGIMENTAL AND OTHER BADGES.--"The Sphinx" for "Egypt" (1801).
The Motto "_Quo fas et gloria ducunt_" ("Whither right and glory
lead"), borne by the late 97th. Also, on appointments, "The Royal
Crest"; "The White Horse of Kent" with "_Invicta_" (adopted
since territorialisation). Also (formerly), "The White Horse of
Hanover" (in common with many line Regiments).
NICKNAMES.--"The Blind Half-Hundred" (of the late 50th, many
of its men suffering severely from ophthalmia in Egypt, 1801).
"The Dirty Half-Hundred" (at Vimiera, where the 50th fought with
much distinction; Major Napier wrote their faces were "begrimed
with powder as black as their own lapels"). "The Devil's Royals"
(also of the 50th). "The Gallant Fiftieth" (this sobriquet was
likewise bestowed for gallantry at Vimiera, 900 "tumbling down
on Laborde's division of French [5,300 strong] amidst a fearful
war-cry, and with a shock that nothing could withstand"--so also
wrote Major Napier). "The Celestials" (from the Sky-blue facings
of the 97th raised by the Earl of Ulster, the colour being that
of the ribbon of the Order of St. Patrick).
NOTES.--Its county connection apparently dates from the time of
the American War, when its Colonel was one of the distinguished
Kentish Wilson family, who also have been intimately connected
with the Kentish Militia.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.--_The History of The 50th (The Queen's Own)
Regiment._ From the earliest date to the year 1881. By Colonel
Fyler. Coloured illustrations, maps, and plans. [London: Chapman
and Hall. 1895.]
The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry),