Duke of Wellington's Regiment
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) | |
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The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.
In 1702, Colonel
Battalions from the regiment had served in most land conflicts involving British forces since its formation, from the Wars of the
Nine soldiers from the regiment have been awarded the Victoria Cross, and Corporal Wayne Mills of the 1st Battalion became the first recipient of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in 1994, whilst serving with the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Formation and name
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was originally formed in 1702 as Huntingdon's Regiment. As regiment designations at that time assumed the name of commanding Colonel, this unit became for example: Henry Leigh's Regiment; then Robert Duncansons Regiment and George Wade's Regiment. Disbanded on 25 March 1714, this unit was officially registered as the 33rd Regiment of Foot in January 1715 then re-raised on 25 March 1715, as George Wade's Regiment; then Henry Hawley's Regiment; Robert Dalzell's Regiment and John Johnson's Regiment.[4]
In 1782 Lord Cornwallis, the then Colonel of the Regiment, wrote that "The 33rd Regiment of Infantry has always recruited in the West Riding of Yorkshire and has a very good interest and the general goodwill of the people in that part of the country:- I should therefore wish not only to be permitted to recruit in that county, but that my Regiment may bear the name of the 33rd or West Yorkshire Regiment". On 31 August 1782 Lord Cornwallis heard that the King had approved of the new title:- 33rd (or the First Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot.[4]
Owing to its links with the Duke of Wellington, the title 'The Duke of Wellington's Regiment' was granted to the 33rd Regiment on 18 June 1853, on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in the year following Wellington's death.[4]
The 76th Regiment was originally raised, by Simon Harcourt as Lord Harcourt's Regiment on 17 November 1745 and disbanded in June 1746. Following the loss of Menorca, to the French, it was reraised in November 1756 as the 61st Regiment, but renumbered to 76th, by General Order in 1758, and again disbanded in 1763. A second battalion raised by that regiment in October 1758, for service in Africa, was renumbered as the 86th Regiment and also disbanded in 1763. On 25 December 1777, the 76th was again re-raised, as the 76th Regiment of Foot (Macdonald's Highlanders), by Colonel John MacDonell of Lochgarry, in the West of Scotland and Western Isles, as a Scottish Light Infantry regiment. It was disbanded at Stirling Castle in March 1784. The regiment was again raised for service in India by the Honorable East India Company in 1787.[5]
In 1881 the 76th Regiment, which shared the same Depot in Halifax as the 33rd, was linked to the 33rd, under the Childers Reforms, to become the 2nd Battalion. Although retitled as the Halifax Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) this title only lasted six months until it was changed on 30 June 1881, in a revised appendix to General order 41, to:- The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), or 'W Rid R' for short. In January 1921 it was again retitled to The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding), or 'DWR' for short.[4]
1702–1881
Within months of its original raising the regiment was despatched to join Marlborough's army in Holland. After five months and only two battles it was sent to Portugal, along with five other of Malborough's best regiments, where it remained for the next six years. The 33rd fought in many battles including Valencia de Alcantara (1705), Zaragossa (1710), and less favourably at Almansa and Brihuega. It was only one of the two foot regiments not to be disbanded and in 1743 the regiment was sent to Germany, where it distinguished itself in the Battle of Dettingen, gaining its first battle honour, then again at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 and again in Rocoux and Lauffeld in 1747.[6] During the late 18th century, the regiment gained the familiar nickname The Havercakes, due to its sergeants carrying oatcakes on the tip of their swords to attract new recruits.[7][8]
American Revolution
The 33rd itself had a good reputation for its professionalism and capability, which was seemingly unequalled by any other regiment of the British Army for some time. It was because of their professionalism in the field during the American War of Independence, that the regiment was given the nickname 'The Pattern'; the regiment then became the standard of soldiering which all other regiments should attain.[9]
The 33rd saw much action during the American War of Independence, with its first engagement at the Battle of Sullivan's Island (First Siege of Charleston) in early 1776, when British forces attempted an assault on that city's defences. In August of that year, the 33rd were involved in the Battle of Long Island, in which a heavy defeat was inflicted on the Americans, who evacuated their remaining forces to the island of Manhattan.[10]
The regiment's next action came a fortnight later, on 16 September at the Battle of Harlem Heights. After the British had landed and seized New York, a force of British light infantry pursuing an American scouting patrol advanced too far from their lines and found itself in danger of being cut off in an unexpected counterattack. The 33rd formed part of Lord Cornwallis' Reserve Corps sent in support to cover their withdrawal.[11]
The regiment was also involved in the Battle of Fort Washington. After that, the 33rd were not involved in a major battle until September 1777, when they took part in the Battle of Brandywine, where the British suffered 550 casualties and the Americans about 1,000. The regiment took part in further action that year, at the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of White Marsh, where they fought the Americans who had retreated from the fighting at Germantown.[10]
The following year was just as active, with the 33rd seeing action at the Battle of Monmouth, an inclusive engagement that became the largest one-day battle of the war. The 33rd was also part of the defence of Newport and Quaker Hill.[10]
Two years later, in 1780, the 33rd took part in the
Guilford Court House
The year 1781 proved to be the deadliest but most successful year for the 33rd. The regiment took part in the Battle of Wetzell's Mill, but the more famous action took place that same month during a battle at Guilford Court House.[12]
On 14 March 1781, Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, was informed that General Richard Butler was marching to attack his army. With Butler was a body of North Carolina Militia, plus reinforcements from Virginia, consisting of 3,000 Virginia Militia, a Virginia State regiment, a Corp of Virginian "eighteen-month men" and recruits for the Maryland Line. They had joined the command of Major General Nathanael Greene, creating a force of some four to five thousand men in total. During the night, further reports confirmed the American force was at Guilford Court House, some 12 miles (20 km) away. Cornwallis decided to give battle, though he had only 1,900 men at his disposal.[12]
At dawn on 15 March 1781, before the men had a chance to have breakfast, Cornwallis started for Guilford, arriving there at mid-day.[13]
Cornwallis' troops included Bose's Hessian Regiment and the 71st commanded by Major General Alexander Leslie and the 23rd and 33rd commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Webster of the 33rd. The second line comprised the two battalions of Foot Guards, the Light Infantry and the Grenadiers commanded by Brigadier Charles O'Hara of the 2nd Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards. There was then a reserve consisting of Tarleton's Light Dragoons.[12]
The British troops advanced under heavy musket fire. Webster attacked the right flank of the American second line and managed to push it back. He also attacked the American third line. An American counterattack then led to a confused situation. Meanwhile, Tarleton's Light Dragoons charged the right flank.[12] The American troops then withdrew. The British technically defeated the American force, but Webster was killed and O'Hara was wounded.[12]
Green Spring
The 33rd also fought at the Battle of Green Spring in July of that year.[10] Their last engagement of the war was at the Siege of Yorktown, when they were part of the outnumbered British forces.[10]
Flanders
In 1793
The regiment took part in the disastrous
India
In 1799 the regiment took part in the
Napoleon's Return and Waterloo
By early March 1815, the regiment was again under the command of the Duke of Wellington, this time during the
West Indies
Having departed from Paris on 23 December 1815, the regiment spent the post Waterloo period, from January 1816 to 1821, in uneventful garrison duties in Guernsey, Stirling, Glasgow, Ulster and Dublin.[24]
In 1822, the regiment was posted to Jamaica. The West Indies were notorious as the death bed of the British Army because of the high mortality rate from malaria, dysentery, yellow fever and other such endemic diseases.[24]
Crimea
Owing to its links with Wellington, the title 33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment was granted to the 33rd, on 18 June 1853 (the 38th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo) by
At the
At the Battle of Inkerman, the 33rd were again involved in some bitter fighting, in which the British infantry advanced despite heavy losses and a strong defence by the Russians. The fighting was fierce, at times some soldiers resorting to attacking their enemy with the butts of their guns. The 33rd suffered further casualties: 3 officers and 61 men.[27]
The 33rd was involved in the Siege of Sevastopol, which lasted for 11 months. By 1856, the war was over but for little gain.[28]
Abyssinia
The 33rd were part of an expedition sent to the East African nation of Abyssinia, now known as Ethiopia after several European citizens had been taken hostage by the self-appointed 'King' Emperor Tewodros II in 1864. In March 1866 a British envoy had been despatched to secure the release of a group of missionaries who had first been seized after the British Government refused Tewdros's requests for military assistance.[28]
The 33rd was committed to Abyssinia in October 1867 and embarked on 21 November, arriving at Annesley Bay on 4 December; but did not disembark for three days due to the chaos on shore.[29]
Lord Napier arrived in early January 1868 and the expedition started from the advance camp at Senafe at the beginning of February. It took two months to reach their objective, advancing through rough terrain. In his despatch to London Lord Napier reported: "Yesterday morning (we) descended three thousand nine hundred feet to Bashilo River and approached Magdala with 'First Brigade' to reconnoiter it. Theodore opened fire with seven guns from outwork, one thousand feet above us, and three thousand five hundred men of the garrison made a gallant sortie which was repulsed with very heavy loss and the enemy driven into Magdala. British loss, twenty wounded".[30]
As the British force moved on to Magdala, Tewodros II sent two of the hostages on parole to offer terms. Napier insisted on the release of all the hostages and an unconditional surrender. Tewodros refused to cede to the unconditional surrender, but did release the European hostages. The British continued the advance and assaulted the fortress. (The native hostages were later found to have had their hands and feet cut off before being sent over the edge of the precipice surrounding the plateau.)[31]
On reaching the gate there was a pause in the advance, as it was discovered the engineer unit had forgot their powder kegs and scaling ladders and were ordered to return for them. General
Tewodros II was found dead inside the second gate, having shot himself with a pistol that had been a gift from Queen Victoria. When his death was announced all opposition ceased. The regiment later received the battle honour Abyssinia.[33]
Volunteers
The invasion scare of 1859 led to the creation of the
Childers Reforms of 1881
The Childers Reforms (and as a continuation of the Cardwell Reforms) brought the Militia into the regimental system, and the two battalions of 6th West York Militia became the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's.[38] The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (33rd) was amalgamated with the 76th to become the 1st and 2nd Battalions.[39]
At the same time the three West Riding Volunteer battalions became linked with the regiment.[39] In February 1883, as part of the Childers Reforms, these three corps were designated as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Volunteer Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. By 1887 they had adopted the same uniform as the parent unit.[36] Under the mobilisation scheme introduced by the Stanhope Memorandum of December 1888 the Volunteer Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's were assigned to the West Yorkshire Volunteer Infantry Brigade in Northern Command and in the event of war were expected to mobilise at Leeds.[40][41]
Duties of Empire (1881–1914)
The 2nd battalion was stationed at
Some detachments of the battalion stayed on to serve in the Second Matabele War (1896–1897), being stationed in the colony of Natal in between. 13 officers and 320 NCOs and men proceeded on active service. Some served on the staff, some with mounted infantry, some with the Matabeleland Relief Force and other service companies.[44][43][42] The battalion was sent to India in 1897.
The regiment began the first year of the 20th century at war when both battalions met in
The 3rd (Militia) Battalion (the former 6th West York Militia) was embodied in January 1900 for service in South Africa, and 500 officers and men left Queenstown for Cape Town the following month.[46] Most of the battalion returned to the United Kingdom in late May 1902.[47]
All three Volunteer Battalions also sent service companies to support the Regular battalions, and received the Battle Honour South Africa 1900–1902.[48]
Following the end of the war in South Africa, the 1st battalion returned to York, while the 2nd battalion went to
Territorial Force
When the
First World War
Regular Army
The 1st Battalion remained in India throughout the war, serving first with the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division and then with the 1st (Peshawar) Division.[53]
The 2nd Battalion landed at
Territorial Force
The 1/4th, 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7 th battalions landed in France as part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade in the 49th (West Riding) Division in April 1915 for service on the Western Front and served together until the Armistice in November 1918.[53] They saw action on the Somme, at Ypres, during the German spring offensive and the final Allied Hundred Days Offensive.[52]
In August 1914 the Territorial Force formed 2nd Line units, distinguished from the 1st Line by the addition of '2/' to the battalion number, the parent units taking '1/'. The 2/4th, 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions of the Duke of Wellingtons formed 186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. The division's training was hampered by the lack of equipment and by the need to provide drafts to the 1st Line units serving overseas, but finally landed in France in January 1917 and served on the Western Front until the Armistice.[53] It fought at Arras, Cambrai, in the Spring Offensive and the Hundred Days, and was the only TF division selected to form part of the Allied occupation force in the Rhineland after the war.[55]
The Territorial Force battalions also formed 3rd Line units, which remained in the UK training and supplying drafts for the battalions overseas.[53]
New Armies
The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli as part of the 32nd Brigade in the 11th (Northern) Division in August 1915; the battalion was evacuated in January 1916 and moved to France in July 1916 for service on the Western Front.[53] The 9th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 52nd Brigade in the 17th (Northern) Division in July 1915 also for service on the Western Front while the 10th (Service) Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 69th Brigade in the 23rd Division in August 1915 also for service on the Western Front.[53]
Inter-war (1919–1938)
In 1919, the 1st Battalion took part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and eventually returned home in 1921.[54] Meanwhile, the regiment's title altered slightly in 1921 to Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding).[56]
In the 1930s the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence for Britain's cities was addressed by converting a number of TA infantry battalions into searchlight battalions of the Royal Engineers (RE). The 5th Duke of Wellington's was one unit selected for this role, becoming 43rd (5th Duke of Wellington's) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers (5DWR) in 1936, retaining its Duke of Wellington's cap badge.[57][58]
In 1938, the 4th Battalion at Halifax was converted into 58th (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (4DWR).[58][59] A duplicate unit, the 68th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed in 1939, with headquarters at Cleckheaton.[60]
Second World War
1st Battalion
The Second World War was declared on 3 September 1939, and the 1st Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Charles Beard, was immediately sent to France as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division of 1st Corps of the BEF. During the retreat to Dunkirk, the 'Dukes' formed part of the rearguard.[61]
The 'Dukes' fought in the
The 'Dukes' also fought in the
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View of 'point 171' from the dry Wadi
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Remnant of Trench at 'Point 171' facing towards 'Point 226'
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View of 'Point 226', on Bou Aoukaz, from 'Point 171'
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Men of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, advance past a burning fuel store on Pantelleria during Operation Corkscrew
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Memorial Plaque on summit of Monte Cece (Monte Ceco), near Casola Valsenio
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Men of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment marching into Rome, 8 June 1944
2nd Battalion
In the Far East, the 2nd Battalion took part in the rearguard action at the Battle of Sittang Bridge in February 1942. They were trained as Chindits, to operate behind Japanese lines, who were at that time attacking India, they were formed into two columns, the 33rd and 76th,[a] to operate behind the Japanese lines during the fierce battles for Imphal and Kohima.[61]
58th (Duke of Wellington's) Anti-Tank Regiment
The regiment served in
43rd AA (5th Duke of Wellington's) Battalion
- See main article Huddersfield Rifles
43rd AA Battalion served in 31st (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, protecting West Yorkshire during the Blitz. In 1940 the RE AA battalions were transferred to the Royal Artillery, and it became the 43rd (5th Duke of Wellington's) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.[57][58]
In 1944 the regiment was assigned to 21st Army Group preparing for the Normandy Campaign. In the event, the regiment did not take part. However, by the autumn of 1944, the German Luftwaffe was suffering from such shortages of pilots, aircraft and fuel that serious aerial attacks on the UK could be discounted. At the same time 21st Army Group was experiencing a severe manpower shortage, particularly among the infantry. The War Office began to reorganise surplus AA regiments in the UK into infantry units, primarily for duties in the rear areas, thereby releasing trained infantry for frontline service.[63][64] On 1 October 1944, 43rd S/L Rgt was converted into 43rd (5th Bn Duke of Wellington's) Garrison Regiment, RA.[57][58][65][66][67][68] A month later, it was reorganised as an infantry battalion and redesignated 600th Regiment RA (5th Bn Duke of Wellington's). It was the first such RA infantry regiment formed, and was sent to join Second Army in NW Europe for line of communication duties.[57][58][67][69][70][71] The unit was placed in 'suspended animation' in February 1945 and its personnel drafted to other units.[58][69]
1/6th and 1/7th battalions
The 1/6th and 1/7th battalions of the regiment were both assigned to the
After the failure of Operation Market Garden, the 7th Battalion was stationed at the Nijmegen bridgehead, in late November, and around Haalderen.[73] Just after midnight of 1 December the battalion was being hit by heavy artillery, mortar and Spandau fire. As the night progressed they came under attack from multiple infantry elements of the German 6th Parachute Division in an attempt to capture the Nijmegen bridge. Fighting intensified, taking in house to house fighting throughout Haalderen and Gendt During the nights of 3–4 December, with small arms and grenades, with the Dukes 'A Company' Headquarters in the village school. Fighting was very confused and movement limited due to heavy flooding of the ground from the breached canals and river.[74] A German officer, 2nd Lieutenant Heinich, 5 Coy 16 Parachute Regiment, was captured by members of 'B' company, who were laying trip flares. Major Denis Hamilton (who was in temporary command of the battalion) quickly organised a defence, using his Bren Gun Carriers, to hold back the Germans. Over 100 prisoners, with a further 50 killed or wounded were taken from the 5th, 7th and 10th companies of the German 16 Para Regiment.[75] By 6 December the attack had died out and the 'Dukes' were relieved by the 11th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. 7DWR moved into reserve in Bemmel where they received sporadic shelling from heavy artillery, whilst putting out patrols to guard against a potential waterborne attack on the Nijmegen bridge.[76] The next notable service seen by the battalion was in the Liberation of Arnhem in April 1945, shortly before Victory in Europe Day.[77]
2/6th and 2/7th battalions
Throughout the spring and summer of 1939, the
8th Battalion
The regiment's 8th Battalion was raised in July 1940 and in 1941 it was also converted to a tank unit becoming
9th Battalion
The 9th Battalion was also converted to armour, becoming 146th Regiment RAC (DWR).[78]
Postwar
When the TA was reformed in 1947, the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions became the 382nd (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Anti-Tank Regiment (later Medium Regiment), 578th (5th Bn, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, and 673rd (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment respectively of the Royal Artillery. In 1955 the three regiments merged into the 382nd, each providing one battery. In 1957 some of the 5th Bn battery transferred to the 7th Bn (still in the infantry role) and formed the 5/7th Bn, thereby bringing together both parts of the former 2nd Volunteer Bn. Finally, in 1961, the rest of 382 Rgt converted to infantry and merged with the 5/7th Bn, bringing together all four Territorial battalions of the regiment as the West Riding Battalion, which in 1967 became part of the Yorkshire Volunteers.[51][57][58][59][82][83][84][85][86][87]
Korean War (1952–1956)
The 1st Battalion was deployed to Korea in 1952, two years after the Korean War had broken out. They were part of the 1st Commonwealth Division.[88]
Battle of The Hook
In 1953, the 1st Battalion relieved the Black Watch, who had been defending a position known as The Hook, a crescent shaped ridge, which was of tactical importance in the Commonwealth sector. The third Battle of the Hook began on 28 May. An initial bombardment of the British positions took place, with the Chinese forces charging the forward British positions once the bombardment ceased. The fighting that ensued was bloody and more akin to the battles that the 'Dukes' had fought in the First World War. Shells were now raining down on the Hook from artillery and mortars, from both the Chinese and UN forces. The Chinese launched a second attack but were cut down by heavy fire from the UN forces. Further attacks occurred on 28 May, but all were defeated in heavy fighting. Just 30 minutes into 29 May, the Chinese forces launched another attack but, as before, they were beaten back. Alma Company of 'The 'Dukes' then began advancing up the line of the original trenches to dislodge the remaining Chinese forces in the forward trenches. The 'Dukes' secured the Hook at 3:30 a.m. The 'Dukes' losses were three officers and 17 other ranks killed and two officers and 84 other ranks wounded, plus 20 other ranks missing.[89]
The 'Dukes' embarked for
Post-Korean War (1956–2006)
Garrison duties
After the bloody encounters in the Korean War, the 'Dukes' were occupied by a series of garrison duties. The 'Dukes' were first deployed to
The 'Dukes' returned to the UK in 1970. Then deployed to Northern Ireland a number of times during The Troubles. In one deployment in 1972 three soldiers were killed.[91]
In 1983 they provided the garrison regiment in Gibraltar.[93]
In 1985, the 'Dukes' deployed to Belize for a six-month tour of duty, taking part in operation 'Holdfast'.[91] In 1987 the 'Dukes' deployed again to Northern Ireland for a two-year tour, based in Palace Barracks, just outside the City of Belfast.[91]
Bosnia (1994–1995)
In March 1994, the 'Dukes' deployed to
Corporal Wayne Mills of the 1st Battalion became the first recipient of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, second only to the Victoria Cross. On (29 April 1994), a patrol led by Corporal Mills came under heavy small-arms fire from a group of Bosnian Serbs. The patrol returned fire, killing two of the attackers. The patrol then withdrew, but the attackers persisted in firing on the patrol. The patrol soon reached an open clearing, where it was obvious they would be highly vulnerable to fire from the attackers. Corporal Mills then performed an astonishing feat of bravery. He turned back and engaged the group in a fire-fight, delaying the attackers long enough to allow the rest of his patrol to cross the clearing. While doing this brave act, Corporal Mills shot the leader of the group, with the rest scattering into the woods. Due to that action he returned to his patrol safely, who were giving covering fire.[94]
Lieutenant-Colonel David Santa-Olalla received the Distinguished Service Order for his inspirational leadership and courage during the 'Dukes' deployment to Bosnia. He arranged for the mutual withdrawal of both Serbian and Muslim forces, from the besieged town of Goražde, just as the Geneva talks were being held on the town.[94]
1995–2005
In March 1995, the 'Dukes' were again posted to Northern Ireland for a two-year tour of duty.[94] In March 1997, a composite company from the 1st Battalion was deployed to the Falkland Islands. In 1998, C Company deployed for a tour of duty in South Armagh. During the period 1998–2000, the 1st Battalion served as a public duties unit in London.[94]
In February 2001, a company from the 'Dukes' deployed to
In 2003, the 'Dukes' were part of
During 2003, in
The regiment had a beer called Havercake Ale named in their honour by the Timothy Taylor Brewery, Keighley, to mark the regiment's tercentenary. Timothy Taylor, the founder of the brewery, had served in an antecedent unit of the regiment during 1859. Since then other members of the family and employees had also enlisted as a 'Duke'.[95]
On 12 November 2005, the regiment was awarded the "Keys to the Town" of Erquinghem-Lys in France.[96]
Amalgamation
In December 2004, as part of the
The 'Dukes' had five companies, named to commemorate five significant campaigns and battles, in which the Dukes took part and were awarded a Battle honour, which have been retained by the battalion in the Yorkshire Regiment:[98]
- A Company — Alma — commemorating the Battle of Alma, during the Crimean War 1853–1856
- B Company — Burma — commemorating the Burma Campaign, during the Second World War 1941–1944
- C Company — Corunna — commemorating the Battle of Corunna, during the Peninsular War of 1809–1813
- Support Company — Somme — commemorating the Battle of the Somme, during the First World War 1914–1918
- Headquarter Company — Hook — commemorating the Battle of the Hook, during the Korean war 1952–1953
When required an additional rifle company was formed:- D Company — Dettingen — commemorating the
9th Battalion Veterans Annual reunion
For 65 years,
Regimental colours
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment had four
The Honorary Colours were approximately 6-foot 6 inch by 6-foot. Following rebadging, on 6 June 2006, the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) inherited responsibility for parading the Honorary Colours. On 31 March 2007 the Regulation colours were taken out of service and laid up in Halifax Parish church. There was a short ceremony in the church grounds where the troops were inspected by the Mayor of Halifax, Councillor Colin Stout, and the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe.[101]
Regimental memorial
On 17 May 2019 a bronze memorial to the regiment, made by Devon sculptor, Andrew Sinclair,[102] and his partner Diane, was unveiled, by the 9th Duke of Wellington in the Woolshops area of Halifax.[103]
Regimental museum
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Museum is based at Bankfield House, in Halifax, Yorkshire.[104]
Battle honours
The regiment's battle honours were as follows:[38]
- War of the Austrian Succession
- India
- Deig
- Spain:
- France:
- Belgium
- Crimean War:
- Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol,
- Abyssinia:
- Abyssinia
- South Africa:
- First World War:
- Egypt 1916–17
- Third Anglo-Afghan War
- Second World War:
- 44)
- Korea:
- Iraq:
- Iraq 2003 (Theatre Honour)
Uniforms
On formation in 1702 as the Earl of Huntingdon's Regiment a red coat lined with yellow was worn, together with yellow breeches. Later in the 18th Century the coats had red
Alliances
- les Voltigeurs de Québec, Canada
- 10th Battalion, The Baloch Regiment, Pakistan
- HMS Iron Duke, Royal Navy
Victoria Cross recipients
Victoria Cross recipients have been:[106]
- Drummer Michael Magner
- Private James Bergin
- Sergeant James Firth
- James Palmer Huffam
- Second Lieutenant Henry Kelly
- Private Arnold Loosemore
- Private Arthur Poulter
- Private Richard Henry Burton
- Private The Green Howards, a regiment in which he had earlier served.
- Acting-Sergeant The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own)when he was awarded his VC. When his medal was put up for sale it was purchased by the Halifax Town Council, as he was a Halifax resident. It is displayed in the Regimental Museum, in Halifax.
Colonels of the Regiment
Colonels of the regiment have been:[107]
- 1702–1703 Col George Hastings.
- 1703–1705 Col Henry Leigh.
- 1705–1705 Col Robert Duncanson(12 February to 8 May 1705).
- 1705–1717 F.M. George Wade.
- 1717–1730 Lt-Gen Henry Hawley.
- 1730–1739 Lt-Gen Robert Dalzell.
- 1739–1753 Lt-Gen John Johnson.
33rd Regiment of Foot (1751)
- 1753–1760 Maj-Gen Lord Charles Hay.
- 1760–1766 F.M. John Griffin, 4th Baron Howard de Walden.
- 1766–1805 Gen Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG.
33rd (1st Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot (1782)
- 1806–1812 F.M. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington KG GCB GCH.
- 1813–1830 Gen John Coape Sherbrooke GCB.
- 1830–1831 Gen Lord Charles Somerset PC.
- 1831–1845 Gen Sir Charles WaleKCB.
- 1845–1847 Lieutenant General Sir Henry Sheehy Keating KCB.
- 1847–1855 General Henry D’Oyly.
33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot (1853)
- 1855–1863 Field Marshal Sir Charles Yorke GCB.
- 1863–1881 General William Nelson Hutchinson.(continued below)
The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (1881)
* incorporating the 76th Regiment of Foot
- 1881–1895 General William Nelson Hutchinson (1st Battalion)
- 1881–1886 General Frederick Darley George CB. (2nd Battalion)
- 1895–1897 Maj-Gen George Elphinstone Erskine
- 1897–1909 Gen Hugh Rowlands VC KCB
- 1909–1934 Lt-Gen Sir Herbert Eversley Belfield KCB KCMG KBE DSO
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) (1921)
- 1934–1938 Brig-Gen Percy Alexander Turner CMG
- 1938–1947 Colonel Charles James Pickering CMG DSO
- 1947–1957 Gen Sir Alexander Frank Philip Christison, Bt, GBE CB DSO MC
- 1957–1965 Maj-Gen Kenneth Godfrey Exham KG CB DSO
- 1965–1975 Gen Sir Robert Napier Hubert Campbell Bray GBE KCB DSO
- 1975–1982 Maj-Gen Donald Edward Isles CB OBE
- 1982–1990 Gen Sir Charles Richard Huxtable KCB CBE
- 1990–1999 Brig William Richard Mundell OBE
- 1999–2006 Maj-Gen Sir Evelyn John Webb-CarterKCVO OBE
Sport
The 'Dukes' had a long and proud Rugby tradition. They produced in their history 11 international players, 7 English, 1 Irish and 3 Scottish, with over 50 players capped for the army against the Navy & Air Force since 1914.[108]
For
The regiment's
Several members of the regiment played cricket for the Free Foresters Cricket Club and Pte Brian Stead played for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.[110]
See also
- 76th Regiment of Foot
- Category:Duke of Wellington's Regiment officers
- East and West Riding Regiment
- Yorkshire Regiment
Notes
Citations
- ^ The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) A Short History, by Major ACS Savory MBE and Major General DE Isles CB OBE DL, (Page 4), printed By Reuben Holroyd's, Halifax, 19878
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6, Published by The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Regimental Headquarters
- ^ "Yorkshire Regiment regimental history". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Brief History and Titles of the Regiment". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) A Short History, by Major ACS Savory MBE and Major General DE Isles CB OBE DL, (Page 4, Lineage of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)), printed By Reuben Holroyd's, Halifax, 1987
- ^ "1742 - 1748 War of the Austrian Succession". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ Harland, John; Wilkinson, Thomas Turner (16 August 1867). "Lancashire Folk-lore: Illustrative of the Superstitious Beliefs and Practices, Local Customs and Usages of the People of the County Palatine". F. Warne – via Google Books.
- ^ "The United Service Magazine". H. Colburn. 16 August 1869 – via Google Books.
- ^ "1775 - 1783 The American War of Independence". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Welcome to the Colonel, Lord Cornwallis' Company of His Majesty King George the Third's 33rd Regiment of Foot". Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ Johnston, Henry P (1897). The Battle of Harlem Heights, September 16, 1776. London: The Macmillan Company.
- ^ a b c d e "Battle of Guildford Courthouse 1781". British Battles. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ^ Holmes (2002). p. 25.
- ^ "No. 13542". The London Gazette. 29 June 1793. p. 555.
- ^ Holmes (2002). p. 28.
- ^ "No. 13596". The London Gazette. 23 November 1793. p. 1052.
- ISBN 978-0-8160-3811-4.
- ^ "No. 13892". The London Gazette. 14 May 1796. p. 460.
- ^ Holmes (2002). p. 41.
- Elizabeth Pakenham, Countess of Longford
- ^ "1787 - 1810 Wars in India". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "Qatre Bras and Waterloo". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b "1815 - 1854 Forty Years of Peace". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "1815 – 1854 Forty Years of Peace". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Battle of Alma". British Battles. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "Battle of Inkerman". British Battles. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Abyssinia: 1867 – 1868". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ^ Mekonnen, Yohannes. Ethiopia: the Land, Its People, History and Culture. p. 69.
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ^ London Gazette 28 July 1868
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6)
- ^ Beckett.
- ^ Beckett, Appendix VII.
- ^ a b c Westlake, pp. 260–7.
- ^ "Leeds Mercury, 20 June 1880" (PDF).
- ^ a b "The Cardwell and Childers Reforms". Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b Butterworth, Terry; Flaving, Scott; Harvey, Richard (2009). "The Duke's, 1702-2006" (PDF). p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ Beckett, pp. 135, 185–6.
- ^ Quarterly Army List.
- ^ a b Clarence Dalrymple Bruce (1927). "History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (1st & 2nd Battalions) 1881-1923". Medici. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ a b "The Dukes: 1702-2006" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ "Soldiers of the Queen - Henry Daniel Bance". Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ "1899-1902 The Boer War". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "The War - The Militia". The Times. No. 36077. London. 28 February 1900. p. 6.
- ^ "The War - Return of Troops". The Times. No. 36779. London. 28 May 1902. p. 9.
- ^ Leslie.
- ^ "Naval & Military intelligence - The Army in India". The Times. No. 36896. London. 11 October 1902. p. 12.
- ^ "No. 28121". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 March 1908. p. 2149.
- ^ a b "7th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment [UK]". Archived from the original on 27 December 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 85–91.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Duke of Wellington's Regiment". The Long, Long trail. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "1914 - 1918 The First World War". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 41–8.
- ^ "Preamble to history". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "5th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment [UK]". Archived from the original on 27 December 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Litchfield, pp. 267–9.
- ^ a b "4th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment [UK]". Archived from the original on 27 December 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Royal Artillery: anti-tank regiments: 68 Anti-Tank Regiment". National Archives. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "1939 - 1946 The Second World War". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "58 (Duke of Wellington's) Anti-Tank Regiment RA(TA)". The Royal Artillery 1939-45.
- ^ Ellis, pp. 141–2.
- ^ Routledge, p. 421.
- ^ "10 AA Division 1940 at British Military History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
- ^ "43 (5th Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Searchlight Regiment RA(TA)". The Royal Artillery 1939-45.
- ^ a b "43 (5th Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Garrison Regiment RA". The Royal Artillery 1939-45.
- ^ Farndale, Annex M, p. 339.
- ^ a b "600 Infantry Regiment RA(TA)". The Royal Artillery 1939-45.
- ^ Ellis, pp. 369, 380.
- ^ Joslen, p. 463.
- ^ "The assault on Le Havre". James Kitchener Heath. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Haalderen 7DWR 1944-45, by Flaving and Harvey". DWR Archives.
- ^ 7DWR War Diary 1944, Annexe B — Report on Battle of Haalderen by Major CD Hamilton, 8 December 1944
- ^ "Haalderen 7DWR 1944-45, by Flaving and Harvey". DWR Archives.
- ^ 7DWR War Diaries 1944, National Archives, Kew, London
- ^ Whiting, p. 165
- ^ a b c Forty, pp. 50–1.
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6
- ^ "6th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment [UK]". Archived from the original on 27 December 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "3rd Bn, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment [UK]". Archived from the original on 3 January 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Yorkshire Volunteers [UK]". Archived from the original on 30 December 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "British Army units from 1945 on". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "British Army units from 1945 on". Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "British Army units from 1945 on". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ Boose, p. 445
- ISBN 0-9521552-0-6.
- ^ "1952 - 1953 Korean War". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "1953 - 1994 The Cold War". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "General Review - Strensall". BBC. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "Duke of Wellington's Regiment". British Army units 1945 on. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "1994 - 2006 Soldiering around the World". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "Havercake Ale". Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ Michel LANNOO (28 September 2011). "Erquinghem leys Freedom Award". Erquinghem-lys.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ^ "The Yorkshire Regiment". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's)". Archived from the original on 3 February 2009.
- ^ "Captain Sir Tom Moore (Ret'd)". The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) – Regimental Association. 19 April 2020.
- ^ "Regimental Colours". Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Proud Dukes lay down their colours". Halifax Courier. 2 April 2007. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "A memorial to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment". 14 May 2019.
- ^ "The Regimental Memorial". The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) – Regimental Association. 1 July 2019.
- ^ "AboutBritain.com". Bankfield Museum. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- ISBN 0-86350-031-5,
- ^ "Victoria Cross recipients". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "Colonels of the Regiment". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b "The Dukes and Rugby". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ "The Dukes and Rugby". Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Regimental Association. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ The Dukes 1701–2006 (Concise History and Digest of The DoW Regiment), page 119, paragraph 2, by Butterworth, Flaving and Harvey, published by the Regimental Museum and Archives
References
- Becke, Maj A.F.,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56), London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
- Becke, Maj A.F., History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions, London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
- Beckett, Ian F.W., Riflemen Form: A study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908, Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, ISBN 0 85936 271 X.
- Boose, Donald (2014). The Ashgate Research Companion to the Korean War. Routledge. ISBN 978-1409439288.
- Ellis, Major L.F., History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West, Vol II: The Defeat of Germany, London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-59-9.
- Farndale, General Sir Martin, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941, Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996, ISBN 1-85753-080-2.
- Forty, George, British Army Handbook 1939–1945, Stroud: Sutton, 1998, ISBN 0-7509-1403-3.
- ISBN 978-0-00-713750-3.
- Leslie, N.B., Battle Honours of the British and Indian Armies 1695–1914, London: Leo Cooper, 1970, ISBN 0-85052-004-5.
- Litchfield, Norman E.H., The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges), Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.
- Routledge, Brigadier N.W., History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55, London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994, ISBN 1-85753-099-3
- Westlake, Ray Tracing the Rifle Volunteers, Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-211-3.
- ISBN 0-436-57400-4.
External links
- Regimental Association website (dwr.org.uk)
- Yorkshire Regiment MOD website
- Regimental museum
- Reenactment unit portraying the 33rd in the American Revolution
- DWR's service with 62 Division in the Great War
- Yorkshire Volunteers
- British Army units from 1945 on
- British Military History
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org)
- The Long, Long Trail
- The Royal Artillery 1939–45