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.