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Post by oldcontemptible on Sept 30, 2009 13:18:39 GMT
And here it is thanks to Tom.
A Brief Regimental History of The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (Extracted from "Short Histories of the Territorial Regiments of the British Army" - Edited by R de M Rudolf, LSO - 1905)
THE QUEEN’S OWN ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT.
MOTTO: “Quo Fas et Gloria ducunt.”
BATTLE HONOURS BORNE ON THE COLOURS.
The Sphinx, superscribed “EGYPT,” “VIMIERA,” “CORUNNA,” “ALMARAZ,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” “PENINSULA,” “PUNNIAB,” “MOODKEE,” “FEROZESHAH,” “ALIWAI," “SOBRAON,” “ALMA,” “INKERMAN,” “SEVAST0P0L,” “LUCKNOW,” “NEW ZEALAND,” “EGYPT," 1882,” “NILE, 1884-85,” “S0UTH AFRICA, 1900-02.”
UNIFORM—SCARLET. FACINGS—BLUE.
Depot Headquarters — MAIDSTONE
MILITIA. 3rd Battalion (West Kent Militia) .. .. .. .. Maidstone,
VOLUNTEER BATTALIONS. 1st .. .. .. Tonbridge. 3rd 10, Beresford Street, Woolwich. 2nd .. .. .. Blackheath. 4th .. ., ., Chatham.
THE QUEEN’S OWN ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMIENT (FORMERLY THE 50TH AND 97TH REGIMENTS).
IT has been well said by one who was writing a brief history of the county, that the grand historical record of the men of Kent, “Invicta,” the unconquered, finds a fitting reflection in the long roil of victories emblazoned on the colours of that essen-tially county corps, “The Queen’s Own” (Royal West Kent Regiment), and that the warlike spirit which in the put animated the Kentish men displays itself at the present time whenever this most distinguished corps is called upon to show its devotion to Queen and country. “The Queen’s Own” (Royal West Kent Regiment) now consists of two Line and one Militia, with four affiliated Volun-teer battalions. The first will be discussed in detail, whilst it may be said of the Militia battalion, that, under its former title of the West Kent Light Infantry, it bore a reputation second to none, gained during many a period of embodiment, when both officers and men had to endure hardships and show their devotion to duty under circumstances which would test the qualities of the best line regiments. Both they and the Volunteer battalions are essentially of the county of Kent, and the fact that men of the Militia and Volunteers who enter the line almost invariably choose their county Regiment speaks volumes for the esprit de corps which animates the Regiment as a whole. The present “Queen’s Own” Regiment dates back as far as 1756. At this time the Seven Years’ War was occupying the attention of all Europe, but “The Queen’s Own” was allotted only garrison duties till 1760, when it joined the army in Germany under Prince Ferdinand, and was engaged in several affairs with the French, returning to England on peace being signed in 1763. The British troops in this war, in which most of the nations of Europe were engaged, gained even from foreign critics the foremost reputation for hardihood and courage, a reputation which they placed beyond dispute by their losses on the battlefield. In 1776 the Regiment was ordered to North America, about the time the Colonists issued their declaration of independence, but saw no fighting at that period. July, 1778, found it serving with the fleet under Admiral Keppel, when the regiment assisted in the attack on the French fleet off Ushant. On the declaration of war against the French Republic, in 1793, the regiment saw service in Corsica, and took a prominent part in the capture of the two Martello towers, the storming of the Conventional Redoubt, the blockade of Bastia until its sur-render, and the long and successful siege of Calva; receiving the particular thanks of the Commander of the Forces for its services. On the 8th March, 1801, the West Kent landed in Egypt, at Aboukir Bay, and saw much hard fighting under Sir Ralph Abercromby, and in those memorable actions which resulted in the total defeat of the French. In consideration of its distinguished services in Egypt, His Majesty King George III approved of the figure of the Sphinx, with the word “Egypt,” being borne on the colours and appointments. Returning to England, the regiment sailed, in 1807, with the expedition to Copenhagen, served at the siege of that town with great dis-tinction, receiving special notice for its gallantry in resisting a sortie of the enemy. The following year it entered Portugal, with Sir Arthur Wellesley, when that General began his struggle against the hitherto invincible power of Napoleon. At Vimiera the first reverse was sustained by Napoleon’s armies. The enemy in this battle were considerably stronger than the British force, and came on to the attack with a spirit and im-petuosity which had previously won many a victory for them. A body of 5,000 French infantry attacked the position held by the West Kent Regiment and the Rifles; they brushed away the skirmishers of the Rifles and then came face to face with the 900 men of the West Kent. Undismayed by the odds before them, the West Kent men poured in one volley, and then, before the French had recovered from the shock, dashed for-ward with the bayonet into the heart of their column, when the enemy broke and fled in the utmost disorder. Its valour on this occasion gained especial praise from its great Commander, and “Vimiera” was added to its colours. In 1809, greatly outnumbered, the small force under Sir John Moore was forced back on Corunna, where a hard-fought victory saved the expedition from annihilation, and the eyes of the glorious Chief, wounded to death in the battle, were gladdened by the sight of the advancing colours of the Regiment. In this battle it was commanded by Major, afterwards Sir Charles, Napier, who, in his subsequent long career of victories, never forgot the valour of the Regiment of which he was so proud. In July, 1809, the West Kent formed part of the Walcheren expedition, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Portugal. During the ensuing Peninsular War, maintained by Wellington against the French, it was always to be found where the struggle was hardest. On the 9th of May, 1812, “The Queen’s Own” gave a striking example of its fighting quality. The French line of communication ran across the Tagus at Almaraz, where they had established a bridge of boats, guarded by well constructed forts on either side of the river, mounting 18 pieces of artillery and strongly garrisoned. It was resolved to destroy this bridge, and a force under Sir Rowland Hill was detailed for the attack, amongst which was the West Kent Regiment. The advance had to be made by narrow mountain paths, and consequently much time was lost ere the scene of action was reached, and even then the British Artillery was far in the rear. Delay would have been fatal, as a powerful French army was not far off. Sir B. Hill, therefore, determined to rely on the courage of the troops with him, and he accordingly ordered “The Queen’s Own,” and a wing of the 71st Regiment, to assault Fort Napoleon with the bayonet. The task was accepted with alacrity, and in broad daylight the gallant fellows rushed at the walls and, amid a storm of artillery and musketry fire, planted their ladders, and in spite of all opposition drove the enemy out of the fort with great slaughter. Meanwhile, the French troops on the other side of the river had cut the bridge of boats themselves, and consequently many of the fugitives, in flying from the bayonets of the West Kent, perished in the river. The garrisons of the posts on the other side fled in a state of panic, leaving 18 pieces of artillery, a quantity of stores and many prisoners in the hands of the victors. in his official despatch, Sir Rowland Hill said: “I cannot sufficiently praise the Regiment”; and the Duke of Wellington wrote, “Too much cannot be said of the brave officers and men who took by storm, without the assistance of cannon, such works as the enemy’s forts on both banks of the Tagus, fully garrisoned, in good order, and defended by 18 pieces of artillery.” The Regiment was present at the repulse of the enemy before Bejar, February, 1813, and in June of the same year it parti-cularly distinguished itself in the memorable battle of Vittoria, as it did in all the actions of the Pyrenees and especially so at the passage of the Nive. At Bayonne its steadiness was conspicuously displayed in repulsing the determined attack of the French, and it suffered much loss. It also took part in the actions of Orthes in February, and Toulouse in April, 1814, when the victorious army of Wellington scattered the remnant of Soult’s force. This protracted war added “Almaraz,” “Vittoria,” “ Pyrenees,” “Nive,” “ Orthes,” and” Peninsula,” to the Regimental colours. Returning to England on the cessation of hostilities, the Regiment was for some years allowed to rest upon its laurels, and in 1831 the Duke of Clarence conferred upon it the title of the Duke of Clarence’s Regiment, in place of the West Kent and when he afterwards ascended the throne as William IV commanded it to be styled “The Queen’s Own Regiment,” a title borne to this day. The facings were consequently changed from black to blue at the same period. Arriving in India in 1841 from New South Wales, it again, in 1843, saw active service, being engaged with the main Army under Sir Hugh Gough at the battle of Punniar. The Regiment, forming on the crest of a hill, charged down upon the enemy in a brilliant manner, driving them before it at the point of the bayonet, taking their guns, and putting a finish to the victory of Punniar; here and at Gwalior adding new lustre to the reputation gained in the Peninsular War, as stated in General Orders on the occasion. Again in the thick of the struggle in 1845, under Sir Hugh Gough, at Moodkee, it steadily advanced under a heavy fire of grape and round shot, and greatly helped in the enemy’s defeat. Then followed the British victories of “Ferozeshah,” “ Aliwal,” and “Sob-raon,” all of them fights against desperate odds, especially at Sobraon, when, coming up in support of the first line, which was in full retreat, the Regiment, true to itself and to its famous reputation, advanced with a stunning cheer, rushed forward to the trenches, and met the enemy in a hand-to-hand fight, whilst the latter, with unabated courage, still contested the possession of the position, and it was not until after a severe struggle that the Regiment disposed of its foes. It is not too much to say that “The Queen’s Own” won the battle by this charge. As instances of the many acts of bravery by men of “The Queen’s Own” at the battle of Sobraon, when the firing was heaviest, a Sikh officer rushed forward waving a colour, and encouraging the men—he was shot, and another Sikh snatched it up—and he was also shot—when Private Leonard Hale, of the 50th Regiment, dashed forward, seized the colour, waved it over his head, and returned to his Company. Corporal Johnson, of the Grenadier Company, of the 50th “Queen’s Own,” on December 21st, 1845, captured two Sikh colours at the battle of Ferozeshah. He had some hard fighting, being surrounded by the enemy, and having to use his bayonet. On the outbreak of the Crimean War, in 1854, the Regiment embarked for the scene of action, and the words on its colours, “Alma,” “ Inkerman,” and “Sevastopol,” testify to the part it took in the struggle. At the assault on the Redan the West Kent was specially selected to form the attacking column, and at every place where danger was greatest the gallantry of the Regiment was always conspicuous. Sailing in August, 1858, for Calcutta, it saw service in the actions of Nusrutpore and Sultanpore, and joined the main Army before Lucknow under Sir Colin Campbell, sharing in the assault and capture of that place, and winning “Lucknow” for the Regimental colours. The next campaign shared in by the Regiment was that in 1864, against the Maoris, in New Zealand, where it took a prominent part in the operations and routed the enemy on more than one occasion. In 1880 the regiment left England for Natal, and formed part of the Frontier Field Force, returning home in 1882. In August of that year it proceeded to Egypt, where it served throughout the campaign of that year, as well as in the Nile Expedition of 1884 and 1885 for the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum, receiving the highest commendation from Lord Wolseley, and adding to its long list of honours the words “Egypt, 1882,” and “Nile, 1884 and 1885.” In August, 1897, the Regiment left Peshawar for service on the North-West Frontier, and joined the Malakhand Field Force under Sir Bindon Blood. It took a prominent part in the attack and capture of the tribesmen’s positions at Landakai in the Swat Valley. In September it proceeded to reinforce General Jeffreys’ Brigade in South Bajour, where it fought several severe engagements with the Mahmunds. On peace being restored on that part of the frontier it was employed with the expedition against the Bonerwals, and was present at the attack and capture of the Tanga Pass, 8th January, 1898. Early in 1900 the Regiment proceeded to South Africa to take part in the campaign against the Boers. It formed a part of the 8th Division under the command of Sir Leslie Rundle, K.C.B. This division had in the early phases of the campaign a most difficult task. In a series of mountainous fastnesses were some 8,000 or 10,000 Boers, relics of the Orange Free State army under Prinsloo, De Wet, and other enterprising leaders. With a force hardly more numerous, and often half starved, General Rundle had the task of keeping them from breaking through to the south of the Colony, and notwith-standing that the Boers knew every inch of the country the division performed its duty most successfully. Every attempt the enemy made was foiled and in the end the Boers were held fast until, with the help of other British columns, General Prinsloo and over 4,000 men were forced to surrender as prisoners of war. The Regiment shared in the action at Biddulphsburg fought amidst great grass fires, and subsequent operations leading up to the surrender of Prinsloo. Speaking of the work of the 8th Division, Sir Conan Doyle says: “No soldiers in all that great host deserve better of their country.” In the latter phases of the campaign the Regiment was chiefly occupied in guarding the blockhouse lines in the north of the Orange River Colony, but detachments were frequently employed with the various columns which operated throughout the country. For the first time in the records of the Regiment, the service battalion was augmented by three separate companies from the volunteer battalions of the Regiment. They served with the Regiment during the campaign, and formed an integral part of it. The losses of the Regiment during the war amounted to 2 officers, 110 N.C.O. and men killed in action or died of wounds, disease, &c., and 1 officer, 46 N.C.O. and men wounded. A stained glass window was erected in All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, by the Regiment, to the memory of those who fell, and a brass tablet beneath it records their names. During the South African War the 3rd Battalion was embodied, and after serving at Chatham, was the first militia battalion to embark for service abroad, and as it was not then the intention of sending militia or volunteers to the seat of war, the 3rd Battalion was stationed at Malta in January, 1900, where it remained until June, 1901. Whilst at Malta, the battalion sent a detachment of mounted infantry to the war, consisting of 20 N.C.O. and men, one of whom was killed, one died of disease, and two wounded. The following soldiers of the West Kent Regiment have won special distinctions for acts of courage on the field of battle :—
The Victoria Cross.
During the Crimean Campaign, 1854—5. - Brevet Major C. H. Lumley, Sergeant J. Coleman.
The Medal for Distinguished Conduct.
Crimean Campaign, 1854—5.--.-Quarter-master-Sergeants T. Clifford, J. Duncalf; Colour.Sergeant G. Kent; Sergeants J. Burgess, J. Cusack; Corporals W. Fahey, J. Golding, A. O’Leary, R. Rodgers, S. Boon, W. Brazier, D. Farrell, R. Green; Privates B. Cade, J. Moran, P. O’Brien (No. 1599), P. O’Brien (No. 3042), J. Quinn, J. Walsh, J. Wait, D. Flynn, J. Daniels, A.Grant, J. Bryant, C. Bird, R. Clarkson, J. Eyres, J. Jennett, J. Martin, W. Rag, J. Riley, J. Smith; Drummer J. Adams. Egyptian Campaign, 1882.—Quarter-Master.Sergeant M. Saddler. Soudan Campaign, 1885-6. Privates T. Ralph, H. Simpkin, R. Harridine. North-West Frontier of India, 1897.— Colour-Sergeant W. J. Willis, Lance-Corporal J. McGee, Private C. Coffins. Soudan Campaign, 1898.— Colour-Sergeant H. Sheppard. South African Campaign, 1899—1902.— Colour-Sergeants B. H. Greffier, E. J. A. Bullock, L. F. A. Redderson, F. Grey, A. G. Wood; Sergeant T. C. Dorrell; Lance-Corporals B. Humphreys, G. J. Huntley; Private F. Jupp.
Specially Promoted for Gallantry.
South African Campaign, 1899—1902.— Corporal T. Dorrell, Private J. Bowman.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
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