THE COLOURS OF THE INFANTRY
Each regiment of the Infantry possesses two colours, the King’s
colour—which is known as the Queen’s, when the reigning sovereign is a
woman—and the regimental colour. There are two exceptions to this rule:
(_a_) rifle regiments do not carry these emblems, and (_b_) a few units
possess a third colour, usually awarded for some service of exceptional
merit.
The King’s colour in every Infantry regiment consists of the Union flag
with the regimental badge or number placed in the centre of the St.
George’s Cross, the imperial crown figuring above whichever device is
used. When the regimental number appears on the King’s colour, Roman
figures are employed[10] (see Fig. 25); when a badge, it is placed
within a circle around which is printed the regimental title.[11] (See
Fig. 46).
The regimental colour is more involved in character. First, there is a
central device bearing one of the following: a badge (as Fig. 26), the
regimental number (as Fig. 29), the battalion number (as Fig. 30), or
the name of the battalion (as Fig. 40). Around this is placed a crimson
ring, upon which is printed the name of the regiment. Above the badge,
or ensigning it, is the imperial crown. Encircling all this is the union
wreath, consisting of roses, thistles, shamrocks, and appropriate
leaves, all growing from the same stalk—a very pleasing allusion to the
fusion of England, Ireland and Scotland. Then comes the array of battle
honours; when these are numerous they are placed upon a wreath which in
turn encircles the union wreath. This wreath is usually composed of
green foliage, but when the groundwork of the flag is of this hue, the
wreath is golden. When the battle honours are not numerous, a few are
placed on either side, also above and below the union wreath.
Territorial force battalions have but one honour, that for South Africa.
This is placed below the union wreath.
The four corners of the colour may contain devices, or they may be left
blank. In some flags a small union still figures in the dexter canton,
but the tendency to-day is to omit this. In the case of Fig. 39, which
is the colour of the Honourable Artillery Company, the small union is
given to show the manner of its display. It should be mentioned that the
number of the battalion is often printed in the dexter canton.
The colour of the flag depends upon the facings of the regiment; if
these are blue, that is to say, if the regiment is a royal one, the
groundwork of the flag is blue; if these are yellow, buff, or green, the
groundwork of the flag is yellow, buff or green; but if the facings are
white or scarlet, the flag is white, and bears the red cross of St.
George. Lastly, if the facings are black, the flag is black, with the
red cross superimposed. As the facings for all battalions of a regiment
are not necessarily the same, it is more convenient in the following
descriptions to give the colour of the facings, and leave the reader to
bear in mind the facts set out above.
Battle honours are, as a rule, shown on the regimental colours only.
=The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.[12]—The Royal Cypher within the Collar of the Order of the Thistle,
with the badge appendant. In each of the four corners the thistle within
the circle and motto of the Order, ensigned with the imperial crown. The
Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The Collar of the Order of the Thistle is made of gold, and consists of
alternate thistles and sprigs of rue enamelled in proper colours. The
badge is a golden image of St. Andrew, dressed in purple and green,
holding a cross before him. The motto is “Nemo me impune lacessit.”
The honorary distinctions are: Tangier, 1680; Namur, 1695; Blenheim;
Ramillies; Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Louisburg; Havannah; St. Lucia,
1803; Egmont-op-Zee; Corunna; Busaco; Salamanca; Vittoria; St.
Sebastian; Nive; Peninsula; Niagara; Waterloo; Nagpore; Maheidpoor;
Ava; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Taku Forts; Pekin, 1860; South
Africa, 1899-1902.
The Royal Scots hold the distinction of being the oldest regiment in our
army. It was raised under the name of Le Regiment de Douglas, about
1633. King George V. presented colours to the second battalion in 1913.
=The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment).=—Facings for the first four
battalions, blue; for the fifth, scarlet.
R.C.—The Cypher of Queen Catherine, within the Garter. In each of the
four corners the Paschal Lamb, with motto, “Pristinæ virtutis memor”
(The memory of former valour). Below the central badge, the motto, “Vel
exuviæ triumphant” (Arms triumph surely). A naval crown, superscribed
“1st June, 1794.” The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.” This device was
granted after the campaign of 1801.
The Paschal Lamb is often spoken of as being a badge of the House of
Braganza, but Sir Sibbald Scott, an authority on these matters, declares
that it was never an emblem of the royal house of Portugal; it gained
this reputation by figuring in a picture which Sir Peter Lely painted of
Catherine. The regiment used the lamb “without any obvious meaning, and
that quite lately it assumed the paschal attributes.”
The honorary distinctions are: Tangier, 1662-80; Namur, 1695;
Vimiera; Corunna; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Toulouse;
Peninsula; Affghanistan, 1839; Ghuznee, 1839; Khelat; South Africa,
1851-2-3; Taku Forts; Pekin, 1860; Burma, 1885-7; Tirah; Relief of
Ladysmith; South Africa, 1899-1902.
=The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).=—Facings, buff.
R.C.—The Dragon. In each of the four corners, the united Red and White
Rose, ensigned with the imperial crown. Motto, “Veteri frondescit
honore” (By its venerable honour may it flourish). This flag is shown in
Fig. 27.
The origin of the dragon is obscure, but the Buffs have descended from
the Trained Bands of the City of London, and probably the animal is a
corruption of the City’s griffin. The connection with the City permits
this regiment to march through the streets of this area with drums
beating and bayonets fixed.
The honorary distinctions are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Dettingen; Guadaloupe, 1759; Douro; Talavera; Albuhera;
Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula;
Punniar; Sevastopol; Taku Forts; South Africa, 1879; Chitral; South
Africa, 1900-02; Relief of Kimberley; Paardeberg.
Readers who have the opportunity of visiting the Guildhall should see
the colours which were retired in 1906, and then presented to the Lord
Mayor of London. They are exhibited in a glass case.
=The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Royal Cypher within the Garter. In each of the four corners the
Lion of England.
The Garter is dark blue, edged with gold, and bears the motto, “Honi
soit qui mal y pense,” in gilt letters.
The honorary distinctions are: Namur, 1695; Gibraltar, 1704-5;
Guadaloupe, 1759; St. Lucia, 1778; Corunna; Badajoz; Salamanca;
Vittoria; St. Sebastian; Nive; Peninsula; Bladensburg; Waterloo;
Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Abyssinia; South Africa, 1879; South
Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
This regiment is often known by the nickname of “The Lions,” from its
badge.
[Illustration:
SAVING THE COLOURS OF THE BUFFS AT ALBUHERA
]
=The Northumberland Fusiliers.=—Facings, gosling green.
R.C.—The St. George and Dragon. In each of the four corners, the united
Red and White Rose, slipped and ensigned with the Royal Crest. The motto
is “Quo fata vocant” (Whither the fates call).
The honorary distinctions are: Wilhelmstahl; St. Lucia, 1778;
Roliça; Vimiera; Corunna; Busaco; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz;
Salamanca; Vittoria; Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Lucknow;
Afghanistan, 1878-80; Khartoum; South Africa, 1899-1902; Modder
River.
The honour “Wilhelmstahl” figures as “Willems” in certain other
colours.
The term “gosling green” has been obtained from Colonel Gosling, an
early and famous leader of the “Old and Bold.”
This regiment carries a third colour, also of gosling green, on
occasions of ceremony to celebrate the taking of an enemy colour at
Wilhelmstahl.
The colours of the 5th battalion are shown in Fig. 35.
=The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The antelope. In each of the four corners, the united Red and White
Rose, slipped, ensigned with the imperial crown.
Probably, the antelope is used with no more significance than is the
case with the paschal lamb of the West Surreys. Legend says, however,
that the “Saucy Sixth” captured from a Moorish force a standard bearing
an antelope as its device and they appropriated it as their own badge in
remembrance of this prowess.
The honorary distinctions are: 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.
The “Niagara” honour is shared with but few other regiments.
=The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).=—[See also the London
Regiment, p. 111]. Facings, blue.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose within the Garter and the crown over
it. In each of the four corners the White Horse.
The honorary distinctions are: Namur, 1695; Martinique, 1809;
Talavera; Busaco; Albuhera; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees;
Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Kandahar,
1880; Afghanistan, 1879-80; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of
Ladysmith.
“The old eighteenth century colour, which now hangs in the depot at
Hounslow, was probably acquired by the regiment about 1790.
“It was superseded by a set worked by the white fingers of the English
princesses themselves—a probably unique honour. The Royal ladies were
the sisters of the Duke of Kent, then Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers.
Although exceedingly heavy and unwieldy, from being overloaded with rich
gold embroidery, these Colours appear to have been carried for some
time, and may have been in the turmoil at Albuhera. But history is
silent on the subject of the colours of the 7th in the Peninsula War,
although the Fusiliers saw a lot of fighting, and bear no fewer than
nine honours on their Colours in memory of the fact.
“In 1829 a new set of Colours was presented to the regiment by Lady
Augusta Fitzclarence, while stationed at Malta, after which the
princesses’ Colours were given to Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, not
reverting to the regiment until 50 or 60 years later, when one of the
Fitzclarence family kindly presented them.
“The 1829 set saw no active service, and were retired in 1851, shortly
before the Crimean War broke out, and their remains placed in the
garrison chapel at Portsmouth. The King’s Colour has now practically
disappeared, and the other has more than half gone, the three white
horses and other decorations having dropped off.
“The next set was also presented by Lady Augusta Fitzclarence, and saw
some stirring adventures in the battle of the Alma, soon after the
regiment landed to begin its march into the interior. Both officers who
carried the colours fell on this occasion, as did also relief after
relief in their turn. At length one of the Colours—the regimental—was
dropped in the rear of a Russian battery, and lay there while the
Coldstream Guards marched over it, without being aware of the fact—for
all eyes were fixed upon the enemy in front. It was finally picked up by
General Sir Percy Fielding, who sent it back to the 7th.
“In 1897 the second battalion of the regiment, the 1st Yorkshire Light
Infantry, and the 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment, participated in what was
probably a unique ceremony, all three battalions receiving their new
Colours at one and the same time from the hands of the Duchess of York,
now Queen Mary. The Duchess was assisted by Lord Roberts, and the
ceremony took place at Phœnix Park, Dublin, in the presence of a vast
crowd.”[13]
=The King’s (Liverpool Regiment).=—Facings: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 7th
(Isle of Man) Volunteers, and 9th batts., blue; 5th and 8th batts.,
black; 6th and 10th (Scottish) batts., scarlet.
R.C.—The White Horse within the Garter. The motto, “Nec aspera terrent”
(Nor do difficulties terrify us). In each of the four corners, the Royal
Cypher, ensigned with the imperial crown. The Sphinx, superscribed
“Egypt.”
The battle honours of the “Leather Hats” are: Blenheim; Ramillies;
Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Dettingen; Martinique, 1809; Niagara; Delhi,
1857; Lucknow; Peiwar Kotal; Afghanistan, 1878-80; Burma, 1885-87;
South Africa, 1899-1902; Defence of Ladysmith.
=The Norfolk Regiment.=—Facings, yellow.
R.C.—The figure of Britannia. This flag is shown in Fig. 26.
Britannia was given as a badge to the “Fighting Ninth” by Queen Anne,
for the splendid work it did at Almanza in 1707. Among the nicknames of
this regiment perhaps the best known is that of the “Holy Boys,” an
appellation given to it by the Spaniards in the Peninsula, who took the
device of Britannia to be that of the Virgin Mary.
The honorary distinctions are: Havannah; Martinique, 1794; Roliça;
Vimiera; Corunna; Busaco; Salamanca; Vittoria; St. Sebastian; Nive;
Peninsula; Cabool, 1842; Moodkee; Ferozeshah; Sobraon; Sevastopol;
Kabul, 1879; Afghanistan, 1879-80; South Africa, 1900-02;
Paardeberg.
=The Lincolnshire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.” The central crimson badge bears
the Roman numeral X., this being the old tenth regiment.
The honorary distinctions are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Peninsula; Sobraon; Punjaub; Mooltan; Goojerat; Lucknow;
Atbara; Khartoum; South Africa, 1900-02; Paardeberg.
=The Devonshire Regiment.=—Facings, Lincoln green, except the 4th
battalion, which are black.
R.C.—The Castle of Exeter. Motto, “Semper fidelis” (Always faithful).
The battle honours are: Dettingen; Salamanca; Pyrenees; Nivelle;
Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Afghanistan, 1879-80; Tirah;
South Africa, 1899-1902; Defence of Ladysmith; Relief of Ladysmith.
The record of this regiment during the last South African War is one of
special merit and interest.
=The Suffolk Regiment.=—Facings, yellow.
R.C.—The Castle and Key, superscribed “Gibraltar, 1779-83,” with the
motto, “Montis insignia Calpe” (The insignia of the Rock of Calpe, i.e.,
Gibraltar), underneath.
The Castle and Key were granted by King Ferdinand II. lo Gibraltar as
arms in 1502.
The battle honours are: Dettingen; Minden; Seringapatam; India;
South Africa, 1851-2-3; New Zealand; Afghanistan, 1878-80; South
Africa, 1899-1902.
This regiment, “The Old Dozen,” is remembered for its capture of many
stands of rebel colours at Seringapatam.
The flag of the 4th battalion is shown in Fig. 37 and, as will be seen
from it, the badge is a Castle. (Idem for the 5th battalion).
=Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—A mural crown, superscribed “Jellalabad,” in the central crimson
badge, and, below, the Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The mural crown, a device which is associated with the name of
Jellalabad, was given to this regiment in token of its fine work in the
first Afghan War, when not only a human but a natural foe cast about, in
vain, to bring it defeat. We are alluding to the crafty Afghans and the
appalling earthquakes which rent the walls and buildings of Jellalabad
whilst Robert Sale was in command.
The battle honours are: Gibraltar, 1704-5; Dettingen; Martinique,
1809; Ava; Affghanistan, 1839; Ghuznee, 1839; Cabool, 1842;
Sevastopol; South Africa, 1878-9; Burmah, 1885-87; South Africa,
1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
=The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment).=—Facings, buff for
all battalions, except the 7th and 8th, which are black.
R.C.—The Prince of Wales’s plume. The White Horse. The Royal Tiger,
superscribed “India” and the motto, “Nec aspera terrent.” This flag is
shown in Fig. 31.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Tournay; Corunna; Java;
Waterloo; Bhurtpore; Sevastopol; New Zealand; Afghanistan, 1879-80;
South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
“Although the West Yorkshires were raised so long ago as 1685, their
Colours had no honours for great early battles until (a few years back)
‘Namur, 1695’ was granted. ‘Corunna’ was the first name to be inscribed
thereon, and, although ‘Tournay’ was tardily authorised in 1836, it was
first placed on the stand issued to the regiment in 1853. Thus the set
issued in 1819 to replace the tattered rags presented eighteen years
before, and which had time and again led the regiment on to victory in
Mauritius, in Java, and in Bengal—hard services which wore the Colours
out so rapidly that they were described as being ‘fairly worn off the
staves’ some years previously—bore only three honours, of which the
third, ‘Java,’ was won by the first battalion; the second, ‘Waterloo,’
by the third battalion; and the first, ‘Corunna,’ by the second
battalion.
“The next honour to be gained by the 14th was ‘Bhurtpore,’ in 1820.
Hardly had the great mine beneath the hostile walls been sprung, when
the besiegers were seen rushing forward to the assault, the Colours of
the regiment beckoning in the very forefront, and being, it is said, the
first to be planted on the walls of the ‘impregnable’ Jat fortress. The
1835 set, therefore, which replaced the ‘Bhurtpore’ Colours, had four
names emblazoned on them, and their successors five, ‘Tournay’ having by
this time been added. These, the Crimean Colours, under whose folds the
additional honours of ‘Sevastopol’ and ‘New Zealand’ were earned, were
not formally ‘presented’ but simply given out on parade without
ceremony, according to instructions from the War Office, which had been
suddenly smitten with a desire to save a pound or two here and there.
They were retired in 1876, and placed in Sandringham, by order of His
Majesty, then Prince of Wales, who had presented the new set to the
regiment at Lucknow.
“The campaign of 1879-80 in Afghanistan was the last occasion upon which
the West Yorkshires carried their Colours into action, and that honour
was, needless to say, added to the many others which the regiment had
earned the right to bear.”[14]
=The East Yorkshire Regiment.=—Facings, white for all battalions, except
the 5th (Cyclist), which are scarlet.
R.C.—The White Rose is the central badge.
The battle honours are twelve in number: Blenheim; Ramillies;
Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Louisburg; Quebec, 1759; Martinique, 1762,
1794, 1809; Havannah; St. Lucia, 1778; Guadaloupe, 1810;
Afghanistan, 1879-80; South Africa, 1900-02.
The “Snappers,” as this regiment is nicknamed, have been in some of the
fiercest contests fought by the British Army, notably in the American
War, at Blenheim, and at Quebec, when General Wolfe was killed.
The colours of the 4th battalion are shown in Fig. 33.
=The Bedfordshire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose, placed below the union wreath. The
regimental number XVI. figures in the space for the central badge. The
flag is shown in Fig. 29.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Surinam; Chitral; South Africa, 1900-02. These
distinctions are not arranged, as is usual, in a circular order, but
three are placed on either horizontal limb of the St. George’s Cross
and one on each of the vertical limbs.
=The Leicestershire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Royal Tiger, superscribed “Hindoostan,” placed below the union
wreath, a numeral figuring in the space for the central badge.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Louisburg; Martinique, 1762;
Havannah; Affghanistan, 1839; Ghuznee, 1839; Khelat; Sevastopol; Ali
Masjid; Afghanistan, 1878-79; Defence of Ladysmith; South Africa,
1899-1902. These distinctions are not arranged, as is usual, in a
circular order, but upon the horizontal and lower vertical limbs of
the St. George’s Cross.
The Royal Tiger was granted to the “Lily Whites” for their splendid work
in India during the early years of the nineteenth century.
=The Royal Irish Regiment.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Harp and Crown. In each of the four corners, a shield with the
arms of Nassau, and the motto, “Virtutis Namurcencis Præmium” (The
reward of virtue at Namur). The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.” The
Dragon, superscribed “China.”
The Nassau arms, which formed part of the badges of William of Orange,
were bestowed upon the Royal Irish in commemoration of the splendid way
in which it stormed the Castle of Namur in 1695, in the presence of the
King.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Pegu; Sevastopol; New Zealand; Afghanistan, 1879-80;
Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir; Nile, 1884-85; South Africa, 1900-02.
It is well known that the bravery of this and other Irish regiments in
South Africa caused Queen Victoria to raise the Irish Guards.
=Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment).=—Facings,
grass green.
R.C.—The Cypher of H.R.H. Alexandra, Princess of Wales, in gold (thereon
“Alexandra”), interlaced with the Dannebrog, inscribed with the date
1875, and the whole surmounted by the Coronet of the Princess.
The Dannebrog is the name given to the white cross which the Danish king
Waldemar was supposed to have seen in the red sky on the night before he
met the Livonians in battle. His encounter was successful, and he
therefore looked upon the cross as a sign sent to him from heaven. So
deeply impressed was he by the apparition that he straightway accepted
it as a national symbol, and it has been chosen as the badge of the
“Green Howards” owing to their patron being our honoured Queen Mother.
The battle honours are: Malplaquet; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol;
Tirah; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Kimberley; Paardeberg.
The colours of the 4th battalion are shown in Fig. 31.
=The Lancashire Fusiliers.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” placed below the union wreath,
and, within the circular badge, the Red Rose. The motto is “Omnia audax”
(Daring everything).
The battle honours are: Dettingen; Minden; Egmont-op-Zee; Maida;
Vimiera; Corunna; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula;
Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Lucknow; Khartoum; South Africa,
1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
The colours of this regiment have been subjected to more than ordinary
vicissitudes. They were burnt in order that they should not fall into
the hands of the enemy when forced to surrender at Saratoga; they were
lost during the retreat from Corunna, but happily found again on
reaching Portsmouth, and in the Crimea they were riddled by the Russian
bullets.
At the Royal United Service Museum may be seen one of the old colours,
dating from the time when the regiment was known as the 20th, or East
Devonshires. It is exhibit No. 3,084, and bears the inscription:—
“Portion of the Colours of the 20th Regiment, presented to it in
1803 by Colonel Robert Ross, the hero of Bladensburg; they were
retired from service in 1815. The 20th fought under them at the
victory of Maida in 1806, and they led the Regiment in the following
memorable battles of the Peninsula War: Vimiera, Corunna, Vittoria,
the Pyrenees, Nivelles, Orthes, and Toulouse.”
=The Royal Scots Fusiliers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Thistle within the circle and motto of the Order of the
Thistle. In each of the four corners, the Royal Cypher, ensigned with
the imperial crown.
The motto of this Order is “Nemo me impune lacessit.”
The honorary distinctions are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Dettingen; Martinique, 1794; Bladensburg; Alma;
Inkerman; Sevastopol; South Africa, 1879; Burma, 1885-87; Tirah;
South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
The colours of this regiment were captured by the French at Blenheim
during an overwhelming charge, but were fortunately regained later. At
New Orleans they underwent an experience probably unparalleled in the
history of all regimental flags. A quartermaster-sergeant, fearing that
they might be lost, tore them from their staff and wrapped them round
his body. Unfortunately, he was taken prisoner, but, strange as it may
seem, he was able to hide them from his guards during the year or two
that he was kept confined. The faithful man was able to restore them to
his regiment when he regained England.
=The Cheshire Regiment.=—Facings, buff for all battalions but the 4th,
which are scarlet.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose.
The battle honours are: Louisburg; Martinique, 1762; Havannah;
Meeanee; Hyderabad; Scinde; South Africa, 1900-02.
During the battle of Dettingen which, curiously enough, does not figure
among the honorary distinctions, King George II. was being harassed by
the French when a body of the “Two Twos” surrounded him, as he stood
under an oak tree, and protected his person. The King, to show his
gratitude, took a leaf from the tree, and offered it to the senior
officer. Ever since, the oak leaf has been an honoured badge of the
Cheshires, who wear it on their colours annually on September 12th.
=The Royal Welsh Fusiliers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The plume of the Prince of Wales. In the first and fourth corners,
the Rising Sun; in the second corner, the Red Dragon; in the third
corner, the White Horse, with the motto, “Nec aspera terrent.”
The plume, the rising sun, and the dragon are badges of the Prince of
Wales. They were assigned to the old 23rd as a reward for its services
in Marlborough’s campaign. The red dragon is, of course, frequently
associated with Welsh, tradition.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Dettingen; Minden; Corunna; Martinique, 1809; Albuhera;
Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse;
Peninsula; Waterloo; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Lucknow; Ashantee,
1873-4; Burma, 1885-87; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of
Ladysmith; Pekin, 1900.
[Illustration:
=25.= King’s Colour of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
]
[Illustration:
=26.= Regimental Colour of the Norfolk Regiment.
]
[Illustration:
=27.= Regimental Colour of the buffs (East Kent Regiment).
]
[Illustration:
=28.= Regimental Colour of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
]
[Illustration:
=29.= Regimental Colour of the Bedfordshire Regiment.
]
[Illustration:
=30.= Regimental Colour of the Hampshire Regiment.
]
[Illustration:
=31.= Regimental Colour of the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire)
Regiment.
]
[Illustration:
=32.= Regimental Colour of the Dorsetshire Regiment.
PLATE 4. COLOURS OF THE INFANTRY OF THE LINE
(REGULAR BATTALIONS)
]
The King’s colour of this regiment is shown in Fig. 25.
The Brecknockshire Battalion possesses a colour bearing the Red Dragon,
passant.
=The South Wales Borderers.=—Facings, grass green.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” placed below the union wreath,
and, within the circular badge, the regimental number.
The honorary distinctions are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde;
Malplaquet; Cape of Good Hope, 1806; Talavera; Busaco; Fuentes
d’Onor; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Peninsula;
Punjaub; Chillianwallah; Goojerat; South Africa, 1877-8-9; Burma,
1885-87; South Africa, 1900-02.
This regiment is the proud possessor of an unique distinction—a silver
wreath of immortelles, presented by Queen Victoria—which it wears on the
King’s colours in memory of the gallantry displayed by Lieutenants
Melvill and Coghill, V.C. Mr. Philip A. Wilkins, in his book, “The
History of the Victoria Cross,” describes the thrilling work of these
two fine soldiers, as follows:—
“Lieutenant Coghill had been told off to act as galloper to Colonel
Glyn on the unfortunate reconnaissance made from Isandlwana Camp, on
January 22nd, 1879, but that officer, seeing he was quite lame,
insisted that, he should remain behind and nurse his knee, injured
while out foraging a few days before. He therefore remained in the
camp, which, as soon as the Zulus had drawn off Lord Chelmsford and
the main body of our troops, was attacked by an impi of 25,000 men,
completely surrounded, and practically annihilated.
“Colonel Pulleine, who was in command, seeing the desperate state of
affairs, called to Lieutenant and Adjutant Melvill to take the
Queen’s (as it then was) colour of the regiment and endeavour to cut
his way through the mass of Zulus, to prevent its falling into the
enemy’s hands. This order Lieutenant Melvill proceeded to carry out,
and, with Lieutenant Coghill, spurred his horse over the rocky and
dangerous ground to the Buffalo River, six miles distant.... In
company with one mounted soldier, Melvill and Coghill reached the
Buffalo and plunged in, the soldier being at once carried away by
the whirling stream and drowned. Coghill reached the Natal side in
safety, and turning round, saw Melvill, whose horse had been
drowned, being carried down by the rushing torrent, and that the
colour he had tried so hard to save had been wrenched from his
grasp, and was floating away down the river. Though unable to walk
owing to his injured knee, and knowing, as he did, that any accident
to his horse meant certain death to him, with safety and life at
hand if he chose to take them, yet Coghill refused to consider
himself, and, turning his horse’s head, rode back again into the
stream to Melvill’s assistance. The Zulus kept up a hot fire upon
both men, and shortly afterwards Coghill’s horse was shot. With the
greatest difficulty both managed to reach and climb the steep bank,
and took shelter beneath some huge boulders....
“Of their actual end no living man has ever borne witness, but when
a search party under Major Black discovered the bodies of these
brave men, a ring of dead Zulus around them bore silent testimony
that they had sold their lives dearly, and had fought it out to the
last.
“The Queen, whose colours these officers had died to save, was quick
to recognise such heroic bravery, and sent two wreaths to be placed
on the arms of the cross which marks their grave by the Buffalo
River, and later presented to the 24th Regiment the silver wreath
mentioned above.”
This act won for these gallant officers the Victoria Cross and it
brought about the decision that colours should no more be carried into
battle, as it caused valuable lives to be lost in guarding them. This,
then, was the last occasion when these cherished emblems were taken into
the array of battle.
=The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Castle of Edinburgh, where the regiment was originally raised
by the Earl of Leven in 1689. The motto, “Nisi Dominus frustra” (Without
the Lord, it is useless). In the first and fourth corners, the Royal
Crest, with the motto, “In veritate religionis confido” (In the truth of
religion I confide). In the second and third corners, the White Horse,
with “Nec aspera terrent.” The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” below the
union wreath.
The battle honours are: Namur, 1695; Minden; Egmont-op-Zee;
Martinique, 1809; Afghanistan, 1878-80; Chitral; Tirah; South
Africa, 1900-02; Paardeberg.
=The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).=
Rifle regiments do not possess colours.
=The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Castle of Inniskilling with three turrets, and a St. George’s
flag flying from one of them. In each of the four corners the White
Horse, with the motto, “Nec aspera terrent.” The Sphinx, superscribed
“Egypt.”
The battle honours are: Martinique, 1762; Havannah; St. Lucia, 1778,
1796; Maida; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle;
Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Waterloo; South Africa, 1835, 1846-7;
Central India; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
=The Gloucestershire Regiment.=—Facings, white, except for the 5th
battalion, which are scarlet.
R.C.—No regimental badge figures within the central ring, but the
Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” is placed below the union wreath.
The battle honours are: Ramillies; Louisburg; Guadaloupe, 1759;
Quebec, 1759; Martinique, 1762; Havannah; St. Lucia, 1778; Maida;
Corunna; Talavera; Busaco; Barrosa; Albuhera; Salamanca; Vittoria;
Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Waterloo;
Punjaub; Chillianwallah; Goojerat; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol;
Delhi, 1857; South Africa, 1899-1902; Defence of Ladysmith; Relief
of Kimberley; Paardeberg. (No colour bears a longer list of honours
than those of this regiment)
=The Worcestershire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose with the motto, “Firm,” in the lower
vertical limb of the red St. George’s Cross. A Naval Crown, superscribed
“1st June, 1794,” in the upper vertical limb.
The battle honours are: Ramillies; Mysore; Hindoostan; Roliça;
Vimiera; Corunna; Talavera; Albuhera; Salamanca; Pyrenees; Nivelle;
Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Ferozeshah; Sobraon; Punjaub;
Chillianwallah; Goojerat; South Africa, 1900-02.
=The East Lancashire Regiment.=—Facings, white, for all battalions
except the 5th, which are black.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” placed below the union wreath.
The motto, “Spectamur agendo” (By our actions, let us be judged).
The honorary distinctions are: Gibraltar, 1704-5; Cape of Good Hope,
1806; Corunna; Java; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; St. Sebastian;
Nive; Peninsula; Waterloo; Bhurtpore; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol;
Canton; Ahmad Khel; Afghanistan, 1878-80; Chitral; South Africa,
1900-02.
=The East Surrey Regiment.=—Facings, white, except for the 6th
battalion, which are scarlet.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose, placed beneath the union wreath.
The honorary distinctions are: Gibraltar, 1704-5; Dettingen;
Martinique, 1794; Guadaloupe, 1810; Talavera; Albuhera; Vittoria;
Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Peninsula; Cabool, 1842; Moodkee;
Ferozeshah; Aliwal; Sobraon; Sevastopol; Taku Forts; New Zealand;
Afghanistan, 1878-79; Suakin, 1885; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief
of Ladysmith.
Lord Strafford’s coat of arms includes a small representation of the
colours of this regiment. He was permitted to use this device in
recognition of his services at St. Pierre. In the heat of the fighting,
Strafford, who was then Sir John Byng, snatched up the colours and
carried them forward in a charge. His gallant action had a very fine
influence on the men, and this privilege of using a representation of
the colours in his arms must be one of which the family of Strafford are
rightly proud.
=The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose, placed below the union wreath. This
flag is shown in Fig. 28.
The honorary distinctions are: Gibraltar, 1704-05; Dettingen; St.
Lucia, 1778; Dominica; Roliça; Vimiera; Corunna; Salamanca;
Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Peninsula; Waterloo; Punjaub;
Mooltan; Goojerat; Sevastopol; Lucknow; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir;
Nile, 1884-85; South Africa, 1899-1902; Paardeberg.
The flag of the “Docs” must not be confused with that of the East
Surreys, to which it bears a very close resemblance. The colour reveals
little that is distinctive, and it seems a pity, somewhat, that a
regiment with such a fine record at Lucknow, Cawnpore, and elsewhere
should not possess devices of more interest. Its motto, “One and All,”
which, however, does not figure on the flag, is, we believe,
unrecognised by the authorities.
=The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment).=—Facings, scarlet.
R.C.—The late Duke of Wellington’s crest, with the motto in an escroll
above, “Virtutis fortuna comes” (Fortune, the friend of pluck). The
Elephant, superscribed “Hindoostan.”
The Duke’s crest consists of a three-quarter length rampant lion
emerging from a crown and grasping in its fore-paws a flag bearing the
cross of St. George.
The elephant with a howdah is obviously a badge gained for services in
India.
The battle honours are: Dettingen; Mysore; Seringapatam; Ally Ghur;
Delhi, 1803; Leswarree; Deig; Corunna; Nive; Peninsula; Waterloo;
Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Abyssinia; South Africa, 1900-02; Relief
of Kimberley; Paardeberg.
This regiment, the only one named after a person not of royal blood, had
a “battalion in the Bergen-op-Zoom disaster, but before the English, who
had managed to get within the fort, were compelled to surrender, the
Colour-bearers of the regiment were sent back over the walls with
instructions to save the Colours as best they could. They were
successful; in fact, not one Colour has ever been lost by this famous
corps in battle.
“New Colours were presented in 1813, and these were carried at the
battle of Waterloo two years later. The 33rd formed part of Halkett’s
Brigade, which occupied the centre of the line, and was almost crumpled
to pieces by the efforts of Napoleon’s massed guns. These Colours
continued to be carried until 1830, when they were reported upon at
Spanish Town as ‘very old, and scarcely to be distinguished as Colours.’
“The ‘Havercake Lads’ were present, as was only fit, at the funeral of
the great Duke after whom they were named, in 1852, and the regimental
Colour carried on that occasion underwent rather a curious adventure.
“When the Colours were brought from Glasgow to London for the ceremony,
they were left in the house of Colonel Blake, of the regiment, in
Portland Place, for a while. Now, although this particular set had never
been in battle, they were in ribbons as the result of much bad weather
in various climes, and their tattered condition struck pity to the
feminine heart of Mrs. Colonel Blake.
“‘Men are so careless,’ she said to herself; ‘fancy letting them get
into that state! I’ll mend the Colours for them.’
“The regimental Colour being white with a red cross, Mrs. Blake’s white
silk wedding dress was just the thing for repairs—and for repairs
accordingly it was used, and the offending Colour was nicely patched, to
the consternation of the regiment when they saw it. But out of
consideration for the lady’s feelings, the patches were never removed,
and can still be seen quite plainly.
“This set was retired at Dublin in 1854, and taken possession of by
the commanding officer. His widow afterwards presented both Colours
to the Royal United Service Institute, in which museum in Whitehall,
they hang to this day.”[15]
The exhibit bears the following inscription: Colours of the 33rd
Regiment, 1832-54, then known as the 1st Yorkshire (West Riding), which
were presented to the battalion in 1832, at Weedon, by General Sir
Charles Whale, K.C.B., colonel of the regiment. The first is the
ordinary Royal colour of the great Union; and the second, or regimental
colour, the Red Cross of St. George on a white field, and only two
honours are attached, those of “Peninsula” and “Seringapatam.” They have
never been on active service, but they are associated with two
interesting military events. From 1838 to 1840 the 33rd were at
Gibraltar, and there under these colours H.R.H. the late
Commander-in-Chief, then Prince George of Cambridge, was attached for
duty to the battalion on his first introduction to the British Army. The
33rd, as is well known, monopolised most of the regimental service of
the great Duke of Wellington, and at his funeral on the 18th November,
1852—to attend which the regiment was brought to London from
Glasgow—these colours proved a conspicuous mark. The colours were
retired from service at Dublin in 1851, prior to the 33rd proceeding to
the Crimea.
=The Border Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—A laurel wreath. The Dragon, superscribed “China.”
This regiment is a combination of the old 34th Cumberland and the 55th
Westmoreland; it now possesses the former’s laurel wreath, gained for
admirable services rendered on the fatal held of Fontenoy, and the
latter’s dragon, awarded in recognition of its work in China, 1842.
The honorary distinctions are: Havannah; St. Lucia, 1778; Albuhera;
Arroyo dos Molinos; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes;
Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Lucknow; South Africa,
1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
This regiment is the only one with “Arroyo dos Molinos” as a battle
honour. In the Peninsula, by a surprise move, the old 34th took
prisoners almost all of the 34th regiment of French Infantry. As a
reward, they were allowed to wear a red and white ball in the front of
their shakos. When, later, this appointment became general among
infantry regiments, the Borders showed their displeasure at losing this
distinctive sign. By way of compensation, the battle honour of “Arroyo
dos Molinos” was granted to them.
“The colours which were carried in this fight became so tattered and
dilapidated in after years that the officers at length decided to have
them preserved under glass in order to lengthen their existence, and
they were sent, accordingly, to a tradesman in the Opera Colonnade,
London. While in his keeping, however, the building was, unfortunately,
burnt to the ground, and the charred remains of the colours were all
that was ever recovered from the ruins. Even these were thought worthy
of preservation, and now rest confined in a silver urn.
“The colours which replaced the Bergen set in 1815 passed through
strange vicissitudes before Lord Archibald Campbell at last rescued
them in 1888. His attention was drawn to them by a pawnbroker’s
advertisement which offered them for sale as though they had been a
pair of mere window curtains. Needless to say, they were at once
purchased, and are now safe with the other old colours of this
historic regiment at Kendal.”[16]
=The Royal Sussex Regiment.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The White Rousillon plume which it gained on the Heights of
Abraham, when it overcame Montcalm’s Rousillon regiment. This latter
force possessed the device of a white plume or feather, and the Royal
Sussex adopted it as their badge.
The honorary distinctions are: Gibraltar, 1704-05; Louisburg;
Quebec, 1759; Martinique, 1762; Havannah; St. Louis, 1778; Maida;
Egypt, 1882; Nile, 1884-85; Abu Klea; South Africa, 1900-02.
The 5th (Cinque Ports) battalion carries colours bearing the arms of the
Cinque Ports, which consist of a half lion and a ship-stern, repeated
three times.
=The Hampshire Regiment.=—Facings, yellow for all battalions, except the
8th (Isle of Wight) Rifles, which are black.
R.C.—The Royal Tiger, superscribed “India.” This flag is shown in Fig.
30.
The battle honours are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde; Malplaquet;
Dettingen; Minden; Tournay; Barrosa; Peninsula; Taku Forts; Pekin,
1860; Charasiah; Kabul, 1879; Afghanistan, 1878-80; Burma, 1885-87;
South Africa, 1900-02; Paardeberg.
The 7th battalion carries colours with the following devices: A Stirrup.
In the first and fourth corners, a White Rose, and in the second and
third, a Red Rose.
=The South Staffordshire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” placed below the union wreath.
The honorary distinctions are: Guadaloupe, 1759; Martinique, 1762;
Monte Video; Roliça; Vimiera; Corunna; Busaco; Badajoz; Salamanca;
Vittoria; St. Sebastian; Nive; Peninsula; Ava; Moodkee; Ferozeshah;
Sobraon; Pegu; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Lucknow; Central India;
South Africa, 1878-79; Egypt, 1882; Nile, 1884-85; Kirbekan; South
Africa, 1900-02.
=The Dorsetshire Regiment.=—Facings, grass green.
R.C.—The motto, “Primus in Indus” (First in India), because it was the
first regiment from the home country to be landed in India. Also, the
Castle and Key, superscribed “Gibraltar, 1779-83,” and the motto,
“Montis Insignia Calpe.” This flag is shown in Fig. 32.
The battle honours are: Plassey; Martinique, 1794; Marabout;
Albuhera; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Peninsula; Ava;
Maharajpore; Sevastopol; Tirah; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of
Ladysmith.
The colours of the 54th or West Norfolk, now forming the second
battalion of the Dorsetshires, were on board the “Sarah Sands,” when
this vessel, laden with vast stores of ammunition, caught fire. When the
alarm was given, the room in which these emblems were placed was full of
smoke, and they were only rescued after an heroic attempt on the part of
Private Wiles and the Quartermaster. These colours may now be seen in
Norwich Cathedral.
=The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment).=—Facings,
white for all battalions but the 5th, which are scarlet.
R.C.—The plume of the Prince of Wales. The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The battle honours are: Louisburg; Martinique, 1762; Havannah; St.
Lucia, 1778; Monte Video; Roliça; Vimiera; Corunna; Talavera;
Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse;
Peninsula; Niagara; Waterloo; Candahar, 1842; Ghuznee, 1842; Cabool,
1842; Maharajpore; Sevastopol; Lucknow; New Zealand; South Africa,
1899-1902; Relief of Ladysmith.
A set of retired colours belonging to this regiment may be seen in
Chelsea Hospital. The exhibit bears the following inscription:
“The Colours of the 40th Regiment. Presented to Sir Alexander Woodford
(for many years Colonel of that gallant Regiment), by Lieutenant-Colonel
Leslie and the officers of the Corps, on its return from service in New
Zealand, and delivered into his hands by Colonel A. Nelson, at the Royal
Hospital, Chelsea, 1867.”
=The Welsh Regiment.=—Facings, white for all battalions but the 7th
(Cyclist) battalion, which are scarlet.
R.C.—The Rose and Thistle on the same stalk, within the Garter. In the
first and fourth corners, the Royal Cypher ensigned with the imperial
crown: in the second and third corners, the Plume of the Prince of
Wales. The motto, “Gwell angau na chywilydd” (Death rather than shame).
A naval crown, superscribed “12th April, 1782.” (This device serves to
recall the defeat of De Grasse by Rodney at Martinique.)
The battle honours are: Martinique, 1762; St. Vincent; Bourbon;
Java; Detroit; Queenstown; Miami; Niagara; Waterloo; India; Ava;
Candahar, 1842; Ghuznee, 1842; Cabool, 1842; Alma; Inkerman;
Sevastopol; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of Kimberley;
Paardeberg.
“The second battalion has been rather unfortunate with its colours,
losing one at Bergen-op-Zoom—it was afterwards taken to Paris—and the
other at Quatre Bras. This was taken by the (French) 8th Hussars, who
charged the regiment through the long corn just as the Prince of Orange
was interfering with its formation. It was not lost without a splendid
fight, however, Clarke, who carried it, receiving no fewer than
twenty-three wounds and losing the use of an arm in its defence.”[17] A
fragment of an old colour of the 41st is exhibited in the Royal United
Service Museum.
=The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Royal Cypher within the Garter. The badge and motto of the
Order of the Thistle. In each of the four corners the Royal Cypher
ensigned with the imperial crown. The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The honorary distinctions are: Guadaloupe, 1759; Martinique, 1762;
Havannah; North America, 1763-64; Mysore; Mangalore; Seringapatam;
Corunna; Busaco; Fuentes d’Onor; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes;
Toulouse; Peninsula; Waterloo; South Africa, 1846-7, 1851-2-3; Alma;
Sevastopol; Lucknow; Ashantee, 1873-4; Egypt, 1882, 1884;
Tel-el-Kebir; Nile, 1884-85; Kirbekan; South Africa, 1899-1902;
Paardeberg.
=The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.=—Facings, white for
all battalions but the Buckinghamshire battalion, which are scarlet.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose.
The battalion honours are: Quebec, 1759; Martinique, 1762, 1794;
Havannah; Mysore; Hindoostan; Vimiera; Corunna; Busaco; Fuentes
d’Onor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees;
Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Waterloo; South Africa,
1851-2-3; Delhi, 1857; New Zealand; South Africa, 1900-02; Relief of
Kimberley; Paardeberg.
The “Light Bobs,” as this regiment is nicknamed, are a combination of
the old 43rd (Monmouthshire Light Infantry) and the 52nd (Oxfordshire
Light Infantry). A retired stand of flags of the former may be seen in
the Royal United Service Museum, bearing this inscription:
“Colours of the 43rd, 1818-27, one of the regiments of the
celebrated Light Division of Peninsula fame. The first or Royal
colour is the Great Union, and the second, or regimental colour, the
Red Cross of St. George on the white field. They only bear the one
distinction, ‘Peninsula,’ the other honours shortly afterwards
authorised not having been added. They were made to replace those
carried with such distinguished honour in the Peninsula, and were
presented to the regiment in 1818 at Valenciennes. The colours were
carried on parade at the celebrated review held on 23rd October,
1818, the day before the break-up of the Army, when the whole of the
British, Hanoverian, Saxon, and Danish contingents, commanded by the
Duke of Wellington, were paraded before the Emperor of Russia and
King of Prussia, near Valenciennes. Their last public act was to
accompany the regiment to the Peninsula in 1827, when five thousand
British troops were despatched under General Sir Henry Clinton,
owing to the disturbed state of Portugal, and the hostile attitude
of Spain. A few months later the colours were retired from service,
when a new set bearing the eleven additional honours authorised in
1821 were presented by the wife of the commanding officer,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Haverfield.”
Another stand of colours, in the same museum, represent the old 52nd
regiment. Here is the record exhibited with them:—
“Colours of the 52nd Light Infantry, 1824-52, now the 2nd Battalion
of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and they appropriately hang next
those of their linked battalion and old Peninsula comrades, the
43rd. The Royal or King’s colour is the Great Union, and is so
dilapidated, that it can scarcely hold the honours attached to it.
The regimental colour, which is in much better condition, is of buff
silk, and bears fifteen honours—the largest number granted at the
time to any corps, save one, the Rifle Brigade. They were presented
to the regiment at St. John’s, New Brunswick, in 1823, to replace
the colours which the 52nd had so nobly borne in the Peninsula and
Waterloo. In that great struggle, the 52nd were commanded by the
celebrated Lieutenant-Colonel John Colborne, afterwards Lord Seaton,
he whom Napier justly described as ‘a man of singular talents for
war, and capable of turning the fate of a battle.’ This
distinguished soldier, who had so often led the regiment to victory
and never hurried it into defeat, commanded the 52nd when these
colours were taken into use in 1824. They have never faced a foreign
foe, but they were silent witnesses of the steady discipline and
bravery of the regiment on board the transport ‘Marquis of Huntly,’
which was nearly lost in a hurricane in the Atlantic in 1831.”
=The Essex Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Castle and Key, superscribed “Gibraltar, 1779-83,” with the
motto, “Montis Insignia Calpe” underneath. The Sphinx, superscribed
“Egypt.” An Eagle. (This latter device is borne to recall the Eagle
captured by the 44th [Essex] from the 62nd French regiment at Salamanca.
The French Eagle is now in Chelsea Hospital).
The battle honours are: Havannah; Moro; Badajoz; Salamanca;
Peninsula; Bladensburg; Waterloo; Ava; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol;
Taku Forts; Nile, 1884-85; South Africa, 1899-1902; Relief of
Kimberley; Paardeberg.
At the headquarters of this regiment is preserved a small piece of
soiled rag which the casual observer might consider of small value. But
it is the corner of an old colour which possesses the following
interesting history. At Quatre Bras, a French Lancer gallantly charged
at the colours of the old 44th, and severely wounded Ensign Christie,
who carried one of them. The Frenchman then endeavoured to seize the
standard, but the brave Christie, with a presence of mind almost
unequalled, flung himself upon it. As the colours fluttered in the fall,
the Frenchman tore off a portion of the gay-coloured fabric with the
point of his lance, but he was not permitted to carry the precious
fragment far away, for he was shot. It is this piece, which was
carefully preserved, that now reposes at Warley.
=The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
Regiment).=—Facings, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th battalions, white;
7th (Robin Hood) battalion, black; 8th battalion, green.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose.
The battle honours are: Louisburg; Roliça; Vimiera; Talavera;
Busaco; Fuentes d’Onor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salamanca;
Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Ava; South
Africa, 1846-7; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Central India;
Abyssinia; Egypt, 1882; Tirah; South Africa, 1899-1902.
=The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Red Rose.
The honorary distinctions are: Louisburg; Quebec, 1759; Maida;
Corunna; Tarifa; Vittoria; St. Sebastian; Nive; Peninsula; Ava;
Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Ali Masjid; Afghanistan, 1878-79; South
Africa, 1899-1902; Defence of Kimberley.
=The Northamptonshire Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Castle and Key, superscribed “Gibraltar, 1779-83,” with the
motto, “Montis Insignia Calpe.” The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The battle honours are: Louisburg; Quebec, 1759; Martinique, 1762,
1794; Havannah; Maida; Douro; Talavera; Albuhera; Badajoz;
Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula;
Sevastopol; New Zealand; South Africa, 1879; Tirah; South Africa,
1899-1902; Modder River.
=Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment).=—Facings,
blue.
R.C.—The Dragon, superscribed “China,” below the union wreath.
The battle honours are: St. Lucia, 1778; Egmont-op-Zee; Copenhagen;
Douro; Talavera; Albuhera; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive;
Orthes; Peninsula; Queenstown; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Kandahar,
1880; Afghanistan, 1879-80; Egypt, 1882; Suakin, 1885; Tofrek; South
Africa, 1899-1902.
An old set of colours belonging to the 2nd battalion are exhibited in
the Royal United Service Museum. “They have a peculiar history attached
to them. The 2nd battalion of this regiment, with the 2nd battalion
48th, the Buffs, and 31st, were in Colborne’s brigade at Albuhera, which
was nearly destroyed. The loss of the four battalions amounted to 1,413,
of which the Berkshires reached 272, and so weak had they become that it
was found necessary to form them into provisional battalions, when the
66th (Berkshire) and the 31st were formed into a unit commanded by
Colonel Leith, of the 31st. It was necessary to supply the 66th with new
colours after the war. They duly arrived early in 1812, but were not
taken into use because the colours of the 31st, as the senior regiment,
were carried by the provisional battalion. They were, therefore, sent
home, and when the regiment arrived in England in the summer of 1814,
were sent to Plymouth to meet the battalion. But they were lost, never
reached their destination, and it was necessary to make another set for
the battalion. Not long afterwards, they turned up again, but too late
to be taken into use. They came into the possession of the commanding
officer, and were presented to the Royal United Service Museum.”[18]
[Illustration:
=33.= East Yorkshire Regiment (4th Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=34.= Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own [Yorkshire Regiment] (4th
Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=35.= The Northumberland Fusiliers (5th Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=36.= The London Regiment (7th [City of London] Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=37.= The Suffolk Regiment (4th Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=38.= The King’s [Shropshire Light Infantry] (4th Battalion).
]
[Illustration:
=39.= Honourable Artillery Company, Infantry.
]
[Illustration:
=40.= The London Regiment, (Blackheath and Woolwich, 20th [County of
London] Battalion).
]
PLATE 5. REGIMENTAL COLOURS OF THE TERRITORIAL FORCE
=The Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The motto, “Quo fas et gloria ducunt” (Where duty and glory lead).
The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” below the union wreath.
The battle honours are: Vimiera; Corunna; Almaraz; Vittoria;
Pyrenees; Nive; Orthes; Peninsula; Punniar; Moodkee; Ferozeshah;
Aliwal; Sobraon; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Lucknow; New Zealand;
Egypt, 1882; Nile, 1884–85; South Africa, 1900–02.
Before 1881, the facings of the regiment were black, but when, in this
year, the force attained a royal dignity, they became blue. New colours
to suit the change of hue were accordingly provided, and the old ones
burned with solemn reverence, the ashes being collected and placed in a
snuff box made from the wood of the flag pole.
A brave array of the retired colours of this regiment are to be seen in
All Saints’ Church, Maidstone.
=The King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The White Rose of the House of York. The motto, “Cede nullis”
(Yield to nothing).
The battle honours are: Minden; Corunna; Fuentes d’Onor; Salamanca;
Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Orthes; Peninsula; Waterloo; Pegu; Ali
Masjid; Afghanistan, 1878–80; Burma, 1885–87; South Africa,
1899–1902; Modder River.
=The King’s (Shropshire Light Infantry).=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose, also the motto, “Aucto splendore
resurgo” (I arise with added splendour).
The battle honours are: Nieuport; Toumay; St. Lucia, 1796; Talavera;
Fuentes d’Onor; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive;
Toulouse; Peninsula; Bladensburg; Aliwal; Sobraon; Punjaub;
Goojerat; Lucknow; Afghanistan, 1879–80; Egypt, 1882; Suakin, 1885;
South Africa, 1899–1902; Paardeberg.
The colours of the 4th battalion are shown in Fig. 38.
=The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment).=—Facings, lemon
yellow.
R.C.—The Plume of the Prince of Wales, derived from the 2nd battalion,
which was formerly the old 77th East Middlesex. In each of the four
corners, the late Duke of Cambridge’s cypher and coronet, as figured on
the colours of the old 57th West Middlesex.
The honorary distinctions are: Mysore; Seringapatam; Albuhera;
Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive;
Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; New Zealand; South Africa,
1879; South Africa, 1900–02; Relief of Ladysmith.
=The King’s Royal Rifle Corps.=—Rifle regiments do not possess colours.
=The Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment).=—Facings, buff for the
first three battalions, and black for the 4th battalion.
R.C.—In each of the four corners, the late Duke of Edinburgh’s cypher
and coronet.
The battle honours, on blue tablets, are: Louisburg; Nive;
Peninsula; Ferozeshah; Sobraon; Sevastopol; Pekin, 1860; New
Zealand; South Africa, 1879; South Africa, 1900–02.
Unfortunately, the “splash” which used to be worn on the buttons of this
regiment to commemorate the action of the men in firing away buttons
torn from their tunics on an occasion when all the ammunition was spent,
is not immortalised on the colours.
=The Manchester Regiment.=—Facings, white, except for the 6th battalion,
which are yellow.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt,” placed below the union wreath.
The battle honours are: Guadaloupe, 1759, 1810; Egmont-op-Zee;
Martinique, 1809; Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; New
Zealand; Afghanistan, 1879–80; Egypt, 1882; South Africa, 1899–1902;
Defence of Ladysmith.
=The Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment).=—Facings, white,
except for the 6th battalion, which are blue.
R.C.—The Prince of Wales’s Plume. The Dragon, superscribed “China,”
placed beneath the union wreath.
The honorary distinctions are: Guadaloupe, 1759; Martinique, 1794;
St. Lucia, 1803; Surinam; Punjaub; Persia; Reshire; Bushire;
Koosh-ab; Lucknow; Hafir; South Africa, 1900–02.
The regiment, with its colours, nearly suffered disaster when on board
the “Alert,” which was wrecked off Halifax, Nova Scotia. The men fell in
on the lower deck, and awaited their fate, but, almost by a miracle, the
vessel was brought into port and all were saved. The Duke of Wellington
paid a high compliment to this gallant regiment, by decreeing that an
account of the disaster and its happy sequel should be read to all the
units of the Army.
=The York and Lancaster Regiment.=—Facings, white.
R.C.—The Union Rose, in the central badge, the Royal Tiger, superscribed
“India,” below the union wreath.
The honorary distinctions, arranged upon the limbs of the St.
George’s Cross, are: Guadaloupe, 1759; Martinique, 1794; India,
1796–1819; Nive; Peninsula; Arabia; Lucknow; New Zealand; Egypt,
1882, 1884; Tel-el-Kebir; South Africa, 1899–1902; Relief of
Ladysmith.
=The Durham Light Infantry.=—Facings, dark green for all battalions,
except the 6th, which are scarlet.
R.C.—The united Red and White Rose, in the central circle.
The honorary distinctions are: Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees;
Nivelle; Orthes; Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Persia;
Reshire; Bushire; Koosh-ab; New Zealand; South Africa, 1899–1902;
Relief of Ladysmith. This roll is particularly strong in Indian
honours, due to the fact that the 2nd battalion was raised by the
East India Company under the name of the 2nd Bombay European Light
Infantry.
=The Highland Light Infantry.=—Facings, buff for all battalions, except
the 9th, which are blue.
R.C.—The Elephant, superscribed “Assaye,” placed below the union wreath.
The Castle and Key, superscribed “Gibraltar, 1780–83,” with the motto,
“Montis Insignia Calpe,” underneath.
The numerous battle honours are: Carnatic; Sholinghur; Mysore;
Hindoostan; Seringapatam; Cape of Good Hope, 1806; Roliça; Vimiera;
Corunna; Busaco; Fuentes d’Onor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Almaraz;
Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse;
Peninsula; Waterloo; South Africa, 1851–2–3; Sevastopol; Central
India; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir; South Africa, 1899–1902; Modder
River.
“When the 71st (now the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry) left
England for the Peninsula War, Brigadier-General Pack ordered their
Colours to be left behind in the Tower of London, and the regiment
accordingly fought without any throughout the arduous Spanish campaigns.
Pack’s reason for leaving the Colours behind is not quite clear, but if
he thought they would be safer at home than on the field of battle he
was woefully mistaken. In 1814, soon after the close of the war in
question, the Prince Regent entertained the Allied Sovereigns to a grand
dinner in Carlton House, and among the table decorations on that
occasion were the Colours of the 71st, which were brought from the Tower
for the purpose. To debase such sacred emblems as Colours to such a use
was bad enough, but worse was to follow, for after the banquet, the
Colours disappeared, and were never seen again. They may turn up yet;
stranger things have happened.
“This was the stand which had been presented to the regiment by General
Floyd to replace that which had been lost during the unfortunate
expedition to Buenos Ayres, when the 71st, after being reduced to a mere
handful by the bullets of the Spaniards, were compelled to surrender as
prisoners of war. A piper’s banner, which was lost on the same occasion,
has since been restored to the regiment.
“The 71st took part in the ill-starred Walcheren expedition, but they do
not seem to have had their Colours with them on this occasion, for when
they landed and took possession of a flagstaff, a soldier’s red jacket
was hoisted in lieu of a proper flag.
“In 1841 the Duke of Wellington did this regiment the honour of
presenting it with new Colours at Windsor, the ceremony taking place in
the presence of the Queen, Prince Consort, and the King of Prussia. In
1857 Colours were received from the hands of the Duke of Cambridge.
“The former 74th, now the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, was one
of the corps which was granted a third Colour for bravery at Assaye.
This banner—which was white, bearing the elephant and ‘LXXIV.’ within a
wreath, and inscribed with the victories of Assaye and Seringapatam—was
referred to by an inspecting officer in 1830 as ‘a very honourable, but
useless, appendage, and takes one officer to carry it, who would be much
better with his company,’ and the same year it was ordered to be
abandoned by the regiment, except on gala days, reviews, etc.”[19]
=Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of
Albany’s).=—Facings, buff, except for the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness
Highland Battalion), which are yellow.
R.C.—In each of the four corners the late Duke of York’s cypher and
coronet (i.e., Frederick, at one time Duke of Albany). The motto,
“Cuidich’n Righ” (Help the King), was given to the Mackenzie as a reward
for protecting Alexander II. when attacked by a wounded stag. Also the
Elephant, superscribed “Assaye.”
The battle honours are: Carnatic; Mysore; Hindoostan; Cape of Good
Hope, 1806; Maida; Java; South Africa, 1835; Sevastopol; Persia;
Koosh-ab; Lucknow; Central India; Peiwar Kotal; Charasiah; Kabul,
1879; Kandahar, 1880; Afghanistan, 1878–80; Egypt, 1882;
Tel-el-Kebir; Chitral; Atbara; Khartoum; South Africa, 1899–1902;
Paardeberg.
This regiment was awarded a third colour by the East India Company for
services at Assaye (see Highland Light Infantry). It was made of white
silk and bore the word “Assaye” above a representation of an elephant,
the whole surrounded by a laurel wreath. The regimental number figured
prominently on this banner, which is often called the “Elephant colour.”
The colour was lost, and its history after about the year 1810 is
unknown.
=The Gordon Highlanders.=—Facings, yellow.
R.C.—The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt”; also the Royal Tiger,
superscribed “India.” (One in each of the lower corners.)
The many battle honours are: Mysore; Seringapatam; Egmont-op-Zee;
Mandora; Corunna; Fuentes d’Onor; Almaraz; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nive;
Orthes; Peninsula; Waterloo; South Africa, 1835; Delhi, 1857;
Lucknow; Charasiah; Kabul, 1879; Kandahar, 1880; Afghanistan,
1878–80; Egypt, 1882, 1884; Tel-el-Kebir; Nile, 1884–85; Chitral;
Tirah; South Africa, 1899–1902; Defence of Ladysmith; Paardeberg.
“The Regiment,” in its issue of October 28th, 1916, gives the following
interesting account of the Gordons’ colours:—
“One Colour of the original set presented to the gallant 92nd on its
formation in 1794 has disappeared, but its companion, the regimental
Colour, is not only still in existence, but is even in a good state of
preservation.
“This set went through the Holland campaign in 1799, and there is good
reason to suppose that the King’s Colour got very badly knocked about in
the fighting on that occasion. At any rate, when the union of Great
Britain and Ireland took place in 1801, it was replaced by a new Colour,
notwithstanding the small number of years it had been in use. The
regimental Colour, on the other hand, was merely altered so as to bring
it into line with the new pattern as sealed by the authorities. The
original number of the regiment—100—had already, in 1798, been changed
to 92, and the fresh alterations consisted chiefly of shamrock leaves,
which were added to the existing wreath of roses and thistles.
“The only active service which this very much adapted set of Colours
ever saw was in Egypt in the following year. By their valour at
Alexandria, Mandora, and other fights, the Gordons won the right to bear
the Sphinx on their Colours, and the badge was placed on all four
corners of the regimental one—a very rare thing.
“In 1807 the Colours were retired, and reverted, as usual, to the
colonel of the regiment, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, who placed
them in his residence of Gordon Castle. In order the better to preserve
them, they have since been enclosed in a glass case, and both are in
remarkably good condition.
“Their successors had a much more stirring career. In 1807 they led the
Gordons on at Copenhagen. Next they accompanied them on their retreat to
Corunna, and at the battle itself, Colonel Alexander Napier fell beneath
their folds. When the regiment effected its landing at Walcheren later
on in the same year we read that the Colours were carried uncased and
upright in the centre boat of the flotilla.
“Not long afterwards they were sent back to the Peninsula, and the
Colours were carried throughout the war from Fuentes d’Onor onwards. At
Maya, one of the battles of the Pyrenees, the Colours fell to the ground
time after time, every officer but two being either killed or wounded,
and carried from the field. At St. Pierre the Gordons again advanced
with Colours flying and pipes skirling, and drove the enemy from his
positions.
“The last battle in which they were carried was Waterloo.”
=The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Thistle ensigned with the imperial crown. The Sphinx,
superscribed “Egypt.”
The honorary distinctions are: Egmont-op-Zee; Corunna; Busaco;
Fuentes d’Onor; Salamanca; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Toulouse;
Peninsula; Waterloo; Alma; Sevastopol; Lucknow; Egypt, 1882;
Tel-el-Kebir; Nile, 1884–85; Atbara; Khartoum; South Africa,
1900–02.
=The Royal Irish Rifles.=—Rifle regiments do not possess colours.
=Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers).=—Facings, blue.
The Princess Victoria, who gave her name to this regiment, was
afterwards Queen Victoria.
R.C.—The Plume of the Prince of Wales. In the first and fourth corners,
Princess Victoria’s coronet; in the second, an Eagle, with a wreath of
laurel (to commemorate the one captured from the French at Barrosa); in
the third, the Harp and Crown; the Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.” The
motto, “Faugh-a-Ballagh.” (Clear the way.)
The battle honours are: Monte Video; Talavera; Barrosa; Tarifa;
Java; Vittoria; Nivelle; Niagara; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Ava;
Sevastopol; Egypt, 1882–1884; Tel-el-Kebir; South Africa, 1899–1902;
Relief of Ladysmith.
=The Connaught Rangers.=—Facings, green.
R.C.—The Harp and Crown, with the motto, “Quis separabit” (Who shall
separate?) The Elephant, the Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The battle honours are: Seringapatam; Talavera; Busaco; Fuentes
d’Onor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees;
Nivelle; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol;
Central India; South Africa, 1877–8–9; South Africa, 1899–1902;
Relief of Ladysmith.
=Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).=—Facings,
yellow.
R.C.—A Boar’s Head, with the motto, “Ne obliviscaris” (Do not forget),
within a wreath of myrtle. A Cat with the motto, “Sans Peur” (Without
fear), within a wreath of broom. Over all, the label as represented in
the arms of the Princess Louise, and surmounted with Her Royal
Highness’s coronet. In each of the four corners, Princess Louise’s
cypher and coronet.
This description seems somewhat involved, but the flag itself in no wise
furthers this idea. The badge, which is placed in the centre of the
flag, consists of a boar’s head, to represent the house of Campbell, and
a cat, seated, to represent the house of Sutherland. The label, spoken
of above, is merely a white bar, having three points projecting from it,
downwards, one at each end and one in the middle. This bar is a sign of
royalty, which figures in most of the royal arms.
The battle honours are: Cape of Good Hope, 1806; Roliça; Vimiera;
Corunna; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse; Peninsula; Alma;
Balaklava; Sevastopol; Lucknow; South Africa, 1846–7, 1851–2–3,
1879; South Africa, 1899–1902; Modder River; Paardeberg. No other
infantry regiment bears an honour for Balaklava.
Two old colours of this regiment are worth mentioning; one was burnt
while reposing in Inverary Castle, where it had been placed by the Duke
of Argyll; the other was used to enshroud the body, before burial, of a
lieutenant who was killed at New Orleans.
=The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians).=—Facings,
blue.
R.C.—The Plume of the Prince of Wales, as the central badge. In each of
the four corners, a maple leaf.
The battle honours are: Niagara; Central India; South Africa,
1900–02. They are arranged one on each side and one below the union
wreath.
The first battalion of this regiment is of Canadian origin, whilst the
2nd battalion was raised in India. At a time when such valuable
assistance has been proffered to the Empire by the Colonies, it is
pleasant to recall that the Royal Canadians were the very first unit
ever to come to the assistance of the Motherland; this it did during the
Indian Mutiny.
A King’s colour of the 2nd battalion is exhibited in the Royal United
Service Museum. “It forms one of a pair which was presented to the
regiment at Aden on the 23rd January, 1866, by Mrs. Raines, wife of
General Raines, C.B., who commanded the garrison. They were the first
colours presented to the regiment as a British regiment, it having been
before that time the Third Bombay European Regiment. The colours were
used until 2nd April, 1906, when they were replaced by a new pair at
Mauritius, the presentation being made by the Governor of the
Island.”[20]
=The Royal Munster Fusiliers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—A Shamrock. The Royal Tiger. (These two devices are placed in the
two lower corners of the colours.)
The honorary distinctions are: Plassey; Condore; Masulipatam;
Badara; Buxar; Rohilcund, 1774 and 1794; Carnatic; Sholinghur;
Guzerat; Deig; Bhurtpore; Affghanistan, 1839; Ghuznee, 1839;
Ferozeshah; Sobraon; Punjaub; Chillianwallah; Goojerat; Pegu; Delhi,
1857; Lucknow; Burma, 1885–87; South Africa, 1899–1902.
=The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.=—Facings, blue.
R.C.—The Royal Tiger, superscribed “Plassey” and “Buxar,” with the
motto, “Spectamur agendo” (We are judged by our deeds). The Elephant,
superscribed “Carnatic” and “Mysore.” The tiger figures in the
right-hand lower corner; the elephant in the left-hand lower corner.
The battle honours are: Arcot; Condore; Wandiwash; Sholinghur; Nundy
Droog; Amboyna; Ternate; Banda; Pondicherry; Maheidpoor; Guzerat;
Seringapatam; Kirkee; Beni Boo Alli; Aden; Punjaub; Mooltan;
Goojerat; Ava; Pegu; Lucknow; South Africa 1899–1902; Relief of
Ladysmith.
=The Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort’s Own).=—Rifle regiments do not
possess colours.
=The London Regiment.=—
_1st (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Royal Fusiliers)._
Facings, blue. R.C.—The arms of the City of London. In each of the
four corners the united Red and White Rose, ensigned with the
imperial crown, within the garter, B.H.[21]—South Africa, 1900–02.
_2nd (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Royal Fusiliers)._
Facings, R.C. and B.H., as for 1st batt.
_3rd (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Royal Fusiliers)._
Facings, R.C. and B.H., as for 1st batt.
_4th (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Royal Fusiliers)._
Facings and R.C. as for 1st batt. B.H., South Africa, 1900.
_5th (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (London Rifle Brigade)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_6th (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. Rifles._
[A rifle battalion.]
_7th (City of London) Batt. The London Regt._
Facings, buff. R.C.—A representation of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
B.H.—South Africa, 1900–02. (Fig. 36.)
_8th (City of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Post Office Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_9th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Queen Victoria’s
Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_10th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt._
Facings, white. The Paddington Rifles are disbanded.
_11th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Finsbury Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_12th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (The Rangers)._
Facings, scarlet. No badge. B.H.—South Africa, 1900–02.
_13th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Kensington)._
Facings, scarlet. R.C.—The arms of Kensington. B.H.—South Africa,
1900–02.
_14th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (The London Scottish)._
Facings, blue. R.C.—In front of a circle inscribed with the motto,
“Strike sure,” St. Andrew’s Cross, surmounted by a lion rampant.
B.H.—South Africa, 1900–02.
_15th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Prince of Wales’s Own.
Civil Service Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_16th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Queen’s Westminster
Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_17th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Poplar and Stepney
Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_18th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (London Irish Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_19th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (St. Pancras)._
Facings, green. R.C.—The figure of St. Pancras. B.H.—South Africa,
1900–02.
_20th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Blackheath and
Woolwich)._
Facings, black. No badge. B.H.—South Africa, 1900–02. (Fig. 40).
_21st (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (First Surrey Rifles)._
[A rifle battalion.]
_22nd (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (The Queen’s)._
Facings, blue. R.C.—The Paschal Lamb.
_23rd (County of London) Batt. The London Regt._
Facings, white. R.C.—An annulet ensigned with a cross pâtée and
interlaced with a saltire conjoined in base. Motto, “Loyalty unites
us.” B.H.—South Africa, 1900–02.
_24th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (The Queen’s)._
As for the 22nd battalion.
_25th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt._
This is a cyclist battalion.
_26th and 27th_ do not appear in the Army List.
_28th (County of London) Batt. The London Regt. (Artists’ Rifles)._
No colours as a rifle battalion.
* * * * *
NOTE.—For reasons which every reader will appreciate the Army
Authorities have ceased to make public the changes which the war has
entailed in the numbering of battalions. On this account we have deemed
it advisable to follow the regimental records as published in the Spring
of 1914.
-----
Footnote 10:
The Canadians have not followed this rule, for the reader may see
examples of Arabic numerals on the colours decorating Wolfe’s monument
in Westminster Abbey.
Footnote 11:
New colours are now given the badge.
Footnote 12:
i.e., Regimental colours.
Footnote 13:
Ward Dell, in “The Regiment,” Jan. 27, 1917.
Footnote 14:
Ward Dell, in “The Regiment,” Dec. 30, 1916.
Footnote 15:
From “The Regiment,” Nov. 4, 1916.
Footnote 16:
“The Regiment,” Jan. 6, 1917.
Footnote 17:
“The Regiment,” Dec. 9, 1916.
Footnote 18:
From the notice appearing with the exhibit at the Museum.
Footnote 19:
Ward Dell, “The Regiment,” March 24, 1917.
Footnote 20:
Description placed with the exhibit.
Footnote 21:
i.e., Battle Honours.