Anonymous

“ The records of the Garrison Artillery show they have won glory in all parts of the world. The gallantry displayed during the two years defence of Gibraltar is among their most cherished traditions, and for distinguished conduct at the reduction of Martinique, No. 11 Company received as a mark of honour a battle axe, which was directed to be carried by the tallest gunner at the head of the battery when on parade. The splendid achievements of the Heavy Artillery in the great war with Germany has added materially to the reputation of the regiment for gallantry and valour. ”

“ This was at Minden, the other five regiments being the Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Hampshire Regiment and the Yorkshire Light Infantry. The regiments passed to the battlefield through gardens of roses in full bloom, and the soldiers picked the blossoms and fixed them in their hats, and in commemoration of their victory they enjoy the right of wearing roses in their head-dress on the anniversary of the battle. ”

“ A detachment was on Nelson's flagship as marines at the battle of the Baltic. Their courage was favourably commented upon at Waterloo where they rendered particularly valuable service at a critical period. In all parts of the world the Rifle Brigade have rendered devoted service to King and Country, and have fully earned and maintained the reputation that won for them the eulogy of King William IV, who said "Wherever there has been fighting, there you have been, and wherever you have been you have distinguished yourselves." ”

“ Many infantry regiments have in their early days served as Marines, but the separate Corps seems to have had a corporate existence since the date mentioned above. Splendid service has been rendered on land and sea ever since, and the Marines are as justly considered as being among the best fighting men the Empire has. Their records show them to have taken important parts in many a famous battle on land, whilst contributing their share to every victory afloat.
The Royal Marines were, by the French, nicknamed "The Little Grenadiers," from the regiment wearing Grenadier caps. ”

“ The great European war brought out in startling fashion the remarkable efficiency of the military aerial service, which is embodied in the Naval and Military Wings of the Royal Flying Corps. The Naval Wing is concerned chiefly with airships, while the Military Wing is devoted to work with aeroplanes and man-carrying kites. The Corps has its foundation in the old Balloon Company of the Royal Engineers, which in 1911 was absorbed into the Air Battalion Royal Engineers, when the aerial service of the army was placed on a sound basis. ”

“ The Household Cavalry are now the only British Cavalry still wearing the polished steel cuirass. Yet each of the regiments has little differences apparent only to the close observer. Thus, the 1st Life Guards wear a red cord as their shoulder belts and black sheep-skins on their saddles, the 2nd Life Guards wearing a blue cord and white sheep-skins. The seven regiments of Dragoon Guards differ somewhat from each other in point of uniform. They, with the Royal Engineers, are the only regiments in the army to wear velvet [Pg xvii] facings. ”

“ The Royal Horse Guards is the only cavalry regiment now in existence that formed part of the Parliamentary Army during the reign of Charles I. In the autumn of 1660, after the Restoration, its disbandment was ordered but not carried out, and King Charles "gave orders for raising a regiment of horse of eight troops, of which the Earl of Oxforde was to be Collonel, and also of a troop of horse guards." ”

“ The regiment was raised in 1680 by the Earl of Plymouth. It gained great distinction at the siege of Namur, 1695, and while serving as Marines in 1704 it shared in the capture of Gibraltar. It has fought with distinction in all parts of the world, and has ever acquitted itself with credit to England and glory to itself. It was one of the few British regiments to make the famous desert march across Abyssinia, to the capture of Magdala. ”

“ George's Day, and are looked upon as the representative English infantry regiment in the British Army and their crest of St. George and the Dragon is unique.
All Fusilier regiments wear sealskin fusilier caps with distinctive plumes, and a grenade as a badge. The Royal Fusiliers is best known as the City of London Regiment, and has some peculiar privileges in consequence, one of these being the right to march through the City of London with fixed bayonets, colours flying, and drums beating, without first obtaining the permission of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. ”

“ The present high standard of efficiency of the Corps is due to the fact that it has been slowly but surely recognised by Generals in command of military expeditions that the ultimate success of their operations depended primarily on the efficiency of the supply and transport service, and so with the flight of years the Corps has been grudgingly given that degree of importance in the Army it has so well merited. ”

“ These traditions are highly treasured in the regiments, and their preservation has tended to build up and sustain in each unit that splendid esprit de corps which has animated all ranks, and made almost the impossible possible to our gallant soldiers in the presence of hardships and danger, and has led them to face death with a courage and heroism unsurpassed in the history of the world. ”

“ The regiment (1st Battalion is the old 40th Foot) was raised in 1717, being formed from certain companies of infantry which for many years had been on duty in the West Indies, and remained for some 46 years longer in the West Indies and America, taking part in most of the historical military operations in that wonderful continent. On returning home the regiment was quickly on active service again on the Continent and in Egypt, and then had another spell of hard service in America, returning just in time to join Wellington's Army on the eve of Waterloo where they lost 25 killed and 142 wounded. ”

“ No chevrons or badges are worn by staff-sergeants of the Foot Guards in undress uniform.
The Royal or King's Colour in regiments of Foot Guards is of crimson silk, and bears the distinctions conferred by Royal authority. The regimental colour of Foot Guards is the Union Jack, and battle honours are borne on both colours. The King's Colour of the Infantry of the Line is the Union Jack, with the regimental badge superimposed, but the regimental colour is distinctive in each regiment and the battle honours are borne on these alone. ”

“ For very many years the regiment did splendid service in the West Indies, adding much territory to the British Empire, and was afterwards sent to Australia and New Zealand. Excellent service was rendered in the Crimea, India, and Afghanistan, the "Regimental Order of Merit" being founded with power to grant medals or badges, for specially gallant conduct. The regiment has served with honour in all parts of the Empire. ”

“ Under Marlborough it shared in the great victories of Oudenarde and Malplaquet, and at many sieges and encounters down to the peace of 1713. It took part in most of the great battles of the Peninsular War. At Waterloo it was posted on the ridge above Hougoumont, and to it fell the honour of defending the Chateau of Hougoumont—the key of the British position—throughout that memorable day, and nobly was that duty performed. During the Crimean War the regiment fought splendidly, as it has on every subsequent occasion, and has worthily upheld its motto of Nulli Secundus. ”

“ Not only is the professional skill of the medical officers and the nursing skill of the men the best that the nation can provide, but the sympathy and devotion to their humane duties evinced by all ranks is a theme of constant admiration, and one of the most glorious traditions of the Army. ”

“ In 1794 the splendid service rendered by the Horse Batteries at Vaux led the Duke of York to direct it to march past the whole of the allied armies at a special parade. The famous Chestnut Troop (now "A" Battery) did equally good service in North Holland in 1799, and the famous Rocket Troop was raised for special service in Flanders. The Royal Horse Artillery have won fame on many hard fought battlefields, notably at Fuentes d'Onor, in the Peninsular War, where Norman Ramsay charged with his battery (now "I" Battery) through the enemy's cavalry ”

“ Each regiment has peculiarities of custom which it has made its own by long use, besides winning unofficial titles and nicknames commemorative of some deed of daring or peculiarity of dress or tradition. The following pages deal with these, and if in perusing them the reader is encouraged to learn more of the glorious history and traditions of the British Army, which he will do with increasing satisfaction and interest, the author will feel amply rewarded. ”

“ The Cheshire Regiment also enjoys a peculiar privilege, that of wearing oak leaves in its head-dress and as a wreath on its colour staves on all Royal ceremonial parades, in commemoration of its rally round its Sovereign who took shelter at a critical moment beneath an oak tree during the battle of Dettingen.
WELSH TRADITIONS
Among the peculiarities of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers is that of wearing a bunch of black ribbons fastened to the back of the collar. ”

“ At one time the colours used to be decorated with maple leaves on July 1st (Dominion Day) , the maple leaf being borne as part of the badge. The 2nd Battalion is known as "The Poonah Pets" from its birthplace; "The Steel Heads" on account of withstanding the excessive heat of the sun in Central India, and "The Lilywhites" from its white facings. The regiment was the last British infantry unit to be quartered in Canada, and the whole country parted with them with regret.
[Pg 108]
(Depot, Tralee.) ”

“ The 2nd Battalion (74th Foot) has an equally brilliant record of Indian and foreign service, winning great glory at the battle of Assaye, where every officer was killed or wounded and the remainder of the regiment was brought out of action by the Sergeant-Major.
The 1st Battalion was so full of Glasgow men during the Peninsular War, that it was generally known as "The Glesca Keelies."
[Pg 100]
(Depot, Fort George.) ”

“ The Light Infantry regiments wear a bugle or French horn as part of their badge, and together with Rifle regiments march with a much quicker step than do other infantry regiments. The regulation pace is 120 to the minute, but Rifle and Light Infantry regiments step much quicker, 140 to 160, except when marching with other troops, then their pace is that laid down for the army generally. ”

“ All ranks have worthily upheld the high traditions of the Brigade of Guards in their first campaign, being distinguished for conspicuous bravery in many of the frequent actions against the overwhelming German forces in France and Belgium. ”

“ 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. ”

“ After the abolition of the system under which each Colonel paid his men or did not, as he thought fit, Army Agents were made more or less responsible for paying the troops, and these appointed their own paymasters in each regiment. ”