Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.3rd Drag. Gds.1-994th Hussars-231713th Hussars---1Royal Artillery-1310Roy. Engineers22-3Buffs4142122342nd Batt. Royal Fusiliers228112563Royal Welsh Fusiliers2117424529th Worcesters5127523231st E. Surrey-72911934th Border Regiment34309139th Dorsets14147748th N'ampton (2nd Batt.)72311627657th Middlesex22187318King's Roy. R.-121866th R. Berks31252104
Note.—In the casualties for Albuera I have included the losses on May 15, the previous day.
Note.—In the casualties for Albuera I have included the losses on May 15, the previous day.
The following regiments figure in the official casualty returns, but they have not as yet been authorized to assume the battle honour:
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.27th Inniskillgs.-386628th Gloucester-62713140th S. Lancs-3101897th R.W. Kent--721
It will be remarked that, whereas the 13th Hussars, with the loss of one man wounded, has been awarded the distinction, the Gloucesters, which lost a total of 164 killed and wounded, has been denied it.
Royal West Kent.Highland Light Infantry.Gordon Highlanders.
This battle honour is borne on the colours and appointments of the above regiments for their conduct in one of the many sharp little engagements under that brillianttactician General, afterwards Viscount, Hill, who in his despatch calling special attention to the services of the 50th (West Kent) and 71st (Highland Light Infantry), added: "Nor can I avoid mentioning the steadiness of the 6th Portuguese Regiment and two companies of the 60th Rifles." Particular stress also was laid on the conduct of the 13th Hussars in capturing some of the enemy's guns. Neither the 13th Hussars nor the King's Royal Rifles have as yet been permitted to assume this distinction.
Casualties at the Action of Almaraz, May 19, 1811.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery---3Roy. Engineers-1--28th Gloucesters---250th West Kent17279371st Highland L.I.-482892nd Gordon Highlanders---2
Note.—Our trophies at Almaraz included the Standard of the 4th Battalion of the"Corps Etrangères,"taken by the 71st, and eighteen guns.
Note.—Our trophies at Almaraz included the Standard of the 4th Battalion of the"Corps Etrangères,"taken by the 71st, and eighteen guns.
This distinction is only to be found on the colours of the Border Regiment.
Like Almaraz, it was one of the many engagements fought by Hill's division single-handed, and it has always been a matter of keen jealousy—if such a word can be used—on the part of the other regiments present that they have been denied the privilege of inscribing this battle honour on their colours. Lord Hill in his despatch laid no especial stress on the conduct of the 34th; indeed, his highest praise was reserved for the two Highland regiments, the 71st and the 92nd. Hill's division consisted of:
Howard's Brigade: The 50th (West Kent), 71st (Highland Light Infantry), and the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders).Wilson's Brigade: The 28th (Gloucesters), 34th (Border Regiment), 39th (Dorsets), and a Portuguese battalion.Erskine's Brigade of Cavalry: The 9th and 16th Lancers, with a couple of batteries of artillery.
Howard's Brigade: The 50th (West Kent), 71st (Highland Light Infantry), and the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders).
Wilson's Brigade: The 28th (Gloucesters), 34th (Border Regiment), 39th (Dorsets), and a Portuguese battalion.
Erskine's Brigade of Cavalry: The 9th and 16th Lancers, with a couple of batteries of artillery.
The French occupied the town of Arroyos dos Molinos, when, to use Hill's own words, "The 71st and 92nd charged into the town with cheers, and drove the enemy out at the point of the bayonet." Wilson's brigade had been sent round to attack the enemy in the rear, and the 50th (West Kent) supporting the Highlanders, secured the prisoners, whilst the 28th (Gloucesters) and the 34th (Borderers) pursued the flying French until the arrival of the cavalry enabled them to follow up the enemy. One general and 35 other officers, with upwards of 1,000 men, were taken, our total casualties being but 65 of all ranks killed and wounded. On more than one occasion the Gordon Highlanders have applied to be permitted to assume this distinction, but whilst conceding the valuable part they played at Arroyos dos Molinos, the War Office have declined to accede to their request on the plea that the battle honour was conferred on the 34th in lieu of a particoloured pom-pom to their shako. As the present generation of soldiers apply the term "pom-pom" to a man-destroying weapon, and not to the ornament of infantry headgear, and as shakos have been relegated to museums, it might be fitting to reopen the vexed question of this battle honour.
Casualties of the Action of Arroyos dos Molinos, October 28, 1811.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.9th Lancers----13th Hussars----Royal Artillery----28th Gloucesters----34th Border----50th West Kent----60th King's Roy. Rifles----71st Highland L.I.----92nd Gordon Highlanders-437
Note.—I have been unable to trace any record of the losses of individual regiments, except in the case of the 92nd.
Note.—I have been unable to trace any record of the losses of individual regiments, except in the case of the 92nd.
This distinction is borne on the colours of the North Lancashire Regiment and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, in recognition of their services in the gallant defence of the fortress of Tarifa in the month of December, 1811. General Skerrett in his despatch drew particular attention to the conduct of the companies of the Rifle Brigade which were also present. The casualty list which I append shows that this battle honour was earned without a great effusion of blood.
Casualties at Tarifa, December, 1811.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Engineers---147th Loyal N. Lancashires12-5Royal Artillery---287th Roy. Irish Fusiliers-252195th Rifle Brig.--317
This hardly-earned battle honour has been awarded to the
Northumberland Fusiliers.Oxford Light Infantry.Sherwood Foresters.Middlesex Regiment.King's Royal Rifles.Highland Light Infantry.Royal Irish Rifles.Connaught Rangers.Rifle Brigade.
It will be seen from a glance at the appended casualty returns that a great many other regiments were present during the operations connected with the siege and capture of this fortress from the French, notably the Coldstream and Scots Guards. The losses of the two Battalions of Guards and of the Northamptons were far heavier than those of some of the regiments to whom the distinction of this battle honour has been granted.
Casualties at the Siege and Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery-2119Roy. Engineers15-2Coldstream Gds.--110Scots Guards--417Northumberland Fusiliers183558Roy. Fusiliers--28Royal Welsh Fusiliers--218South Wales Borderers--31940th S. Lancs--31942nd Royal Highlanders--11443rd Oxford L.I.-394545th Sherwood Foresters34152948th N'amptons-4154352nd Oxford L.I.15752King's Roy. R.-11574th Highland L.I.-451777th Middlesex-5143183rd Roy. Irish Rifles-2103188th Connaught Rangers-6104794th Connaught Rangers27115195th Rifle Brig.-6947
Note.—The Coldstream and Scots Guards figure in the casualty returns for Ciudad Rodrigo, but do not bear the honour.
Note.—The Coldstream and Scots Guards figure in the casualty returns for Ciudad Rodrigo, but do not bear the honour.
The losses incurred by the army under Wellington during the siege and at the assault of this fortress were most severe. The battle honour is borne by the
King's Own (Lancaster).Northumberland Fusiliers.Royal Fusiliers.Royal Welsh Fusiliers.Inniskilling Fusiliers.East Lancashire.South Staffords.South Lancashire.Oxford Light Infantry.Essex.Sherwood Foresters.Northamptons.Middlesex.King's Royal Rifles.Highland Light Infantry.Royal Irish Rifles.Connaught Rangers.Rifle Brigade.
In the year 1811 Wellington had made an unsuccessful attempt to seize Badajos, in which we suffered heavy loss. Now, with this fortress and Ciudad Rodrigo in his hands, the French were deprived of any rallying-point on the road to Madrid, and the English Commander-in-Chief at once opened a determined offensive campaign.The gallantry displayed by our men at the assault are graphically described by Napier and by many contemporary historians, French and English; it only remains for me to record the part played by each unit in the memorable siege.
Casualties at the Siege and Assault of Badajoz.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery242748Roy. Engineers37521Royal Scots---2K. O. Lancs21540173Northumberland Fusiliers142055Roy. Fusiliers51250147Royal Welsh Fusiliers3153112327th Roy. Inniskilling Fus.[16]5205130330th E. Lancs-6388838th S. Staffs14122540th S. Lancs[16]2248338743rd Oxford L.I.3157425544th Essex27378845th Sherwood Foresters4114613251st K.O. Yorks L.I.[16]13267552nd Oxford L.I.51666295King's Royal Rifles1463774th Highland L.I.2112010477th Middlesex-432683rd Royal Irish Rifles37317688th Connaught Rangers5105518092nd Gordon Highlanders-1--94th Connaught Rangers13147797th W. Kent[16]-5168095th Rifle Brig.81661297
This was the first battle on a large scale ever fought by Wellington, and its name is borne on the colours and appointments of the
5th Dragoon Guards.3rd Hussars.4th Hussars.11th Hussars.14th Hussars.16th Lancers.Royal Scots.Queen's.King's Own.Northumberland Fusiliers.Royal Fusiliers.Norfolks.Devons.Royal Welsh Fusiliers.South Wales Borderers.Inniskilling Fusiliers.Gloucesters.Worcester.East Lancashires.Cornwall Light Infantry.South Staffords.South Lancashire.Oxford Light Infantry.Essex.Sherwood Foresters.Northamptons.King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).Shropshire Light Infantry.King's Royal Rifles.Durham Light Infantry.Highland Light Infantry.Cameron Highlanders.Royal Irish Rifles.Connaught Rangers.Rifle Brigade.
Casualties at the Battle of Salamanca, July 22, 1812.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.General Staff25--5th Drag. Gds.-29423rd Hussars1-6114th Hussars-172112th Lancers1-2214th Hussars--1716th Lancers----Royal Artillery--26Coldstream Gds.-1722Scots Guards-1120Royal Scots-823131Queen's161377K.O. Lancs.-1240N'umberland F.-811131Royal Fusiliers11019168Norfolk-1342Devon11544281Royal Welsh Fusiliers1699027th Inniskilling Fusiliers-11730th E. Lancs-132232nd Cornwall L.I.291511136th Worcester44167438th S. Staffs2142315540th S. Lancs-51211542nd Bk. Watch---343rd Oxford L.I.-111544th Essex2-42345th Sherwood Foresters-554548th N'ampton-1096051st K.O. Yorks L.I.---252nd Oxford L.I.---253rd Shropshire L.I.-112610558th N'ampton---360th K.R.R.-362461st Gloucester5193830368th Durham L.I.1231474th Highland L.I.-234179th Cameron Highlanders---183rd Roy. Irish Rifles-2133088th Connaught Rangers241111094th Connaught Rangers1332195th Rifle Brig.--324
Note.—It will be remarked that both the Coldstream and the Scots Guards figure in the casualty returns, but they have not been authorized to bear the honour.
Note.—It will be remarked that both the Coldstream and the Scots Guards figure in the casualty returns, but they have not been authorized to bear the honour.
In actual numbers the two armies were evenly matched, Wellington having some 42,000 men against an equal number of the French. There were, however, nearly 15,000 Portuguese in the allied army, and no one could assert that they were the equal of 15,000 British. The victory was complete. Our casualties, though severe, were little more than half of those sustained by the French, who lost upwards of 8,000 killed and wounded, whilst twelve cannon and two eagles remained in our hands. The road was now open to Madrid, and on August 12 Wellington entered that capital in triumph.
In the month of October came a damper in the shape of a decided reverse at Burgos, and the winter was spent by Wellington in reorganizing his forces for the final struggle in the coming summer. The French were heavily engaged in Eastern Europe, and Napoleon was unable to spare large bodies of men for the war in Spain. The stars in their courses were fighting for Wellington.
This victory, which gave Wellington his baton of Field-Marshal, is borne on the colours of the
3rd Dragoon Guards.5th Dragoon Guards.3rd Hussars.4th Hussars.13th Hussars.14th Hussars.15th Hussars.16th Lancers.Royal Scots.Queen's.Buffs.King's Own.Northumberland Fusiliers.Royal Warwicks.Norfolk.Lancashire Fusiliers.South Wales Borderers.Royal Fusiliers.Royal Welsh Fusiliers.Inniskilling Fusiliers.Gloucesters.East Lancashire.East Surrey.Border.South Staffords.Dorsets.South Lancashire.Oxford Light Infantry.Sherwood Foresters.Northamptons.North Lancashire.Royal Berkshires.Royal West Kent.King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).Shropshire Light Infantry.Middlesex.King's Royal Rifles.Durham Light Infantry.Highland Light Infantry.Gordon Highlanders.Royal Irish Rifles.Royal Irish Fusiliers.Connaught Rangers.Rifle Brigade.
Casualties at Vittoria, June 21, 1813.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.General Staff-8--3rd Dragoon Guards-1335th Dragoon Guards---13rd Hussars---110th Hussars--61011th Hussars-1--12th Lancers1-3813th Hussars--1115th Hussars-2104716th Hussars-271218th Hussars121021Royal Artillery-1953Roy. Engineers-1--Royal Scots-7896King's Own Lancaster261172Northumberland Fusiliers2622132Royal Fusiliers--22Lancs Fusiliers--31Royal Welsh Fusiliers--1327th Inniskilling Fusiliers-373228th Gloucester-171217131st E. Surrey-111334th Border-3106338th S. Staffs-2-639th Dorset-82818140th S. Lancs-353443rd Oxford L.I.-222545th Sherwood Foresters-446647th N. Lancs24188848th N'ampton--11850th Roy. West Kent-7277051st K.O. Yorks. L.I.11102052nd Oxford L.I.1131853rd Shropshire L.I.--4657th Middlesex-252159th E. Lancs-81112560th K.R.R.-224766th Berkshire-122268th Durham L.I.210239171st Highland L.I.3124126074th Highland L.I.-5136482nd S. Lancs1352283rd Royal Irish Rifles34327487th Royal Irish Fusiliers178417788th Connaught Rangers-52318792nd Gordon Highlanders--41694th Connaught Rangers-755995th Rifle Brig.161161
In this battle Wellington, for the first time, had a decided superiority in numbers, having close on 80,000 men opposed to but 62,000 of the French; but it must be conceded that the 20,000 Portuguese were by no means of the same value as 20,000 British infantry. The victory was undisputed. Practically the whole of theFrench artillery—no less than 143 guns, with 1,000 prisoners—fell into our hands, and upwards of a million in treasure was the booty. The personal effects of King Joseph and an immense quantity of material was also taken. Our casualties amounted to more than 4,000 killed and wounded; those of the French to upwards of 6,000.
Amongst the cavalry regiments which suffered losses at Vittoria, but which have not yet been authorized to assume the battle honour, are the 12th Lancers and 15th and 18th Hussars.[17]
This battle honour was granted as a distinction commemorative of the three days' hard fighting in the Pyrenees between July 28 and August 1, 1813. It is borne by the following regiments:
14th Hussars.Queen's.Buffs.Royal Fusiliers.Royal Warwicks.Lancashire Fusiliers.Devons.South Wales Borderers.Royal Welsh Fusiliers.Gloucesters.Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.East Surrey.Worcesters.Border.Cornwall Light Infantry.South Lancashire.Dorsets.Oxford Light Infantry.Royal Highlanders.Sherwood Foresters.Northamptons.Royal Berkshire.Royal West Kent.King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).Middlesex.Shropshire Light Infantry.King's Royal Rifles.Durham Light Infantry.Highland Light Infantry.Gordon Highlanders.Cameron Highlanders.Argyll Highlanders.Rifle Brigade.
Battlefields in SPAIN & PORTUGAL
Battlefields in SPAIN & PORTUGAL
There were many reasons which compelled Wellington to refrain from prosecuting a vigorous pursuit after the decisive victory of Vittoria. The French were in possession of the two fortresses of Pampeluna and San Sebastian in the north, and they were far superior in numbers to the Allies in the south of the Peninsula. He pushed theenemy back slowly to the frontier, and at the same time he detached two of his own divisions, under Sir Thomas Graham, to reduce San Sebastian, whilst he entrusted the task of besieging Pampeluna to the Spaniards, resolving that, as soon as these two fortresses were in his possession, he would continue the work of expelling the French from the Peninsula. Emboldened by Lord Wellington's tactics, Soult turned and attacked the English at Roncesvalles and in the Maya Pass. At the latter engagement we were compelled to fall back, leaving some prisoners in the hands of the French; but reinforcements coming up, Wellington resumed the offensive, and by August 1 had once more driven the French to the north of the Pyrenees. The fighting during these few days was excessively severe, our casualties amounting to upwards of 4,000 of all ranks killed and wounded.
Casualties in the Actions in the Pyrenees, July 25 to August 2, 1813.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery-11192nd Queen's-1193rd Buffs113276th Royal Warwicks17141407th Royal Fus.1105218711th Devons-476220th Lancs Fusiliers3173818923rd Royal Welsh Fus.38238524th S. Wales Borderers---127th Royal Inniskillings3115822828th Gloucester16912131st E. Surrey-323732nd Cornwall L.I.-445134th Border R.154812236th Worcesters-383539th Dorsets271111840th S. Lancs2102219742nd Royal Highlanders--42645th Derbysh.-1-748th N'amptons2101210950th West Kent3123019851stK.O.Y.L.I.--76253rd Shrops. L.I.-112057th Middlesex-346858th N'ampton-6106160th Royal R.2687261st Gloucesters-433868th Durham L.I.1384171st Highland L.I.272818174th Highland L.I.1463879th Cameron H.-154782nd S. Lancs461714691st H'landers-71310092nd Gordon Highlanders-265536395th Rifle Brig.-2728
On July 18, 1817, the following regiments were permitted to assume the battle honour for their services at the siege and capture of this fortress:
Royal Scots.King's Own (Lancaster).Norfolks.East Lancashire.South Staffords.North Lancashire.
Immediately after the Battle of Vittoria, Lord Wellington detached two divisions to besiege this fortress, the possession of which was a necessary prelude to his further pursuit of the French. Unfortunately, our army was ill-provided with material for a siege, and two months were spent before the place was taken. Our losses during the siege and in the two assaults were very severe, as the accompanying casualty returns prove:
Casualties at the Siege and Assault of San Sebastian, July and August, 1813.