Regimental Nicknames and Traditions of the British ArmyAnonymous
History
Regimental Nicknames and Traditions of the British Army
Anonymous
Great Britain. Army
The 1st Battalion (42nd Foot) was raised in 1730 from six independent
companies of Highlanders for the protection of Edinburgh, as a
regiment of the watch. In 1751, it was numbered the 42nd. On becoming
amalgamated, the bright colours in the tartans were extracted, leaving
only the dark green ground as a tartan, and from this circumstance rose
the title "The Black Watch." In 1794, for gallant conduct at the battle
of Guildermalsen, in Holland, it won the "red hackle" (or plume) which
is worn in the men's feather bonnets.
Known as the "Forty-Twas."
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Oxford.)
(_Record Office_, Warwick.)
"Quebec, 1759," "Martinique, 1762," "Havannah," "Mysore,"
"Hindoostan," "Martinique, 1794," "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," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa,
1900-02."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, White.
_Head-dress_, Helmet.
_Cap_, Green with green band.
_Regimental March_, "Nachtlager in Granada."
Allied Regiments, 52nd Regiment (Prince Albert Volunteers) of
Canada and 6th (Hauraki) Regiment of New Zealand.
The Officers, alone among the infantry, have the privilege of
wearing white strip collars with the frock coat.
THE OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
Raised in 1741 and was dispatched almost at once on active service,
serving at Minorca, Canada (taking part in the capture of Quebec),
Martinique, and Havannah. The 43rd and 52nd, with the Rifle Brigade,
made up the famous Light Infantry Brigade trained by Sir John Moore
at Shorncliffe, and so laid the foundation for many famous victories
in the Peninsula. The splendid service rendered by the Light Infantry
in subsequent years is a matter of history. The regiment was so often
chosen for leading the storming parties, that a badge "V.S." (Valiant
Stormer) was granted to the men.
Nicknamed "The Light Bobs," a term that was applied generally to Light
Infantry regiments.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Warley.)
(_Record Office_, Warley.)
The Castle and Key, superscribed "Gibraltar, 1779-83."
The Sphinx, superscribed "Egypt."
An Eagle.
"Moro," "Havannah," "Badajoz," "Salamanca," "Peninsula,"
"Bladensburg," "Waterloo," "Ava," "Alma," "Inkerman," "Sevastopol,"
"Taku Forts," "Nile, 1884-85," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg,"
"South Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, White.
_Head-dress_, Helmet.
_Cap_, Blue.
_Regimental March_, "The Essex."
At the Battle of Salamanca, 1812, the Eagle of the 62nd French
regiment of the line was captured by the 44th. This trophy is now
in the Chapel of Chelsea Hospital.
THE ESSEX REGIMENT
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