THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 February 1901, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Composition -of the Contingents.

The Cavalry

The following is the composition of the Imperial troops which aro now in New Zealand :

The Life Guards.

First in the British Cavalry, and possibly first in the world, aro the Household Troops—lst and 2nd Life Guards, and the Royal Horse Guards. The Life Guards were originally raised in Holland by Charles 11., and at first consisted of about eighty gentlemen who had held commissions in the army of the First Charles.

Tire charge of the Household Cavalry, with whom wore the Ist Dragoon Guards, at Waterloo against Kellerman’s Cuirassiers, is one of the most brilliant achievements in British military history. This charge set the seal of glory on (he fame of the guards. It was a charge of Herculean heroes, and none was greater than .lohn Shaw, the man who lies in the solitary grave close to La Haync Sainto. A tale is told of some of the old troopers in 1716, when the position of private was purchased as commissions in other regiments, refusing to serve under altered conditions. “ Serve in the Guards I No I they’re no longer gentlemen, but cheesemongers 1 ”

The nickname of “ Cheese ” was attacked to them for some time after this, but it does nob appear that the cheesemongoring element affected their fighting powers. The name was revived at Waterloo, when the officer in command shouted, “ Come on Cheesemongers, Charge I ” After Waterloo the “ Piccadilly Butchers ” did not see service until the Egyptian campaign of 1882. They were in the thick of the fray at Tel-el-Kebir. Another period of inactivity was broken by the war in South Africa, where the famous Guardsmen were dubbed “ The Tin Bellies.”

” Blues. ”

The “ Blues ” (the Horse Guards), who have acted with the Life Guards in the most important achievements of the Household Cavalry, were a very favourite regiment of George 111. It was “ Farmer George ” who presented them with the sliver kettle-drum, and the colonel’s uniform he wore was given to the regiment at his death, and is still preserved. Their magnificent standard they owe to "William IV. Previous to Waterloo the record of the Blues was one of undimmed brilliancy. When the time came to charge at Kassasin, the modern “ Bines ” proved, as did their comrades, the Guards, that they were of the same mettle as the horses of Dettingon and "Waterloo. The “ Blues,, ” of course, served with the Household Cavalry in South Africa. The Royal Artillery. “ Whither right and glory lead us, ” (Quo faset gloria ducunt.) The Eoyal Artillery, which is divided into throe groups—horse, field, and garri-son-bears the names of no victories, for it has shared in all the victories that British arms have ever gained. The Peninsula War raised the regiment to the highest pinnacle of honour, and their deeds in the snows of the Crimea, and under the burning sky of rebellious India,. hav9 eavncc l a record of undying glory for

“ The corps, Which is first among the women, An’ amazin’ firat in war. ”

At Waterloo, when Ney made his magnificent charge of cavalry—the charge, Napoleon said, was too early by an hour—the order was given for the British gunners to retire within the squares of infantry, but the reply of one leader to the other “ Cease Firing ” was “ Hang mo if I do. ”

In the Crimea the Royal Attillery was engaged with honour, and nearly always with brilliant success, but the guns that had thundered victoriously in the Crimea, writes one chronicler, were to learn a yet “ more horrid beat; ”to their frowning muzzles were to be bound the murderers and entragers of women and children in the terrible Indian mutiny. "What has a great military correspondent said of them in the present war ? At Colenzo Colonel Hunt fell shot through both legs, and as the men were being shot down very rapidly ho advised that it would be better to abandon the guns. ‘•Abandon bo d d! ” answered Colonel Long, “Wo never abandon guns.” Four men persisted in serving two guns, and remaining beside their cannons One of either pair carried the shell; the others laid and fired their beloved 15-poun-dor. But two men wore left. They contiuued the unequal battle. They exhausted the ordinary ammunition, and finally drew upon and fired the emergency rounds of case—their last shot. “Then they stood to “attention” beside the gun, and an instant later fell pierced through and through by Boer bullets.”

The Engineers. “Whither right and glory lead us”

“He is the man-of-all-work of the army, the navy, and the public, and the authorities may transform him into any of the various characters of astronomer, geologist surveyor, engineer, draughtsman, artist, architect, traveller, explorer, commissioner, inspector, artificer, mechanic, driver, soldier or sailor—in short, ho is a sapper.”

The Engineers were formed in 1717, and their deeds of worth have been, from the nature of the corps, numerous; the mere mention of Sebastopol recalls their “invaluable services.” In the honour roll of the Victoria Cross the Engineers are well represented. The Saucy 7th While in the Peninsula the dash and utter want of respect for the majesty of superior numbers gained for the Queen’s Own Hussars the nickname of the “Saucy Seventh.” Previously they had been known as “Young eyes,” why, the military chroniclers cannot say, and the “Black Horse,” and “Old Strawboots.” It was originally a heavy cavalry corps, and was raised in Scotland in 1670 at the time of the struggles that followed the accession of William and Mary. Their list service of importance gained for the “Queen’s Own” the name of Lucknow on their standards. The 21st Lancers. The Empress of India’s Lancers (the 21st) is a very modern regiment. Its principal achievement was the dashing charge at the Mahdi’s Dervishes at Omdurman. Colonel Wyndham, who is in charge of the Imperial troops, led this charge, and had two horses shot under him. With one or two exceptions the whole of the Lancers Company took part in the charge. Brigade of Guards. Grenadiers. The Grenadier Guards. —“The Coalheavers” they were once called—are a combination of the Royal Regiment of Guards formed in 1656 for the service of Charles 11., and the King’s Regiment of Foot Guards,

It has been said of the regiments of Foot Guards that their annals, indeed, may almost be said to be identical with those of the British Army. Their serried ranks stood firm at Fontcnoy, turned the tide of battle at Quatro Bras, withstood, unshaken, the assaults of Napoleon’s brilliant chivalry at Waterloo, and ascended, with stately movement, the bristling heights of the Alma.” The mere phrase, “the Guards at Inkerman,” recalls a brilliant achievement. Coldstreams. “Second to none” in the Army roll of valour, the coldstreams derive their name from the village whence, in 1660, they started on the march to London, under General Monk, to restore a King to his crown and a people to its freedom. The names “Oudenarde’’ and “Malplaquet” on the standard of the “Nulli Seeundus” tell of Iheir share in those fights, and at Dettingen the Coldstreams were with the stubborn infantry that gained the day. The Coldstreams went through the Peninsula War. At Inkerman a few hundred Coldstreams held the redoubt against as many thousands of the enemy. The Scots The third of the famous Household Brigade, foot soldiers, is the Scots Guards. They fought at Steenkirkc in 1692, and were amongst the regiments which ; Macaulay records as “ cut to pieces.” [ In the Peninsula, at 'Waterloo (where ! they defended Honymont with the Coldstreams), in the Crimea, in Egypt, the “ Jocks ” upheld their high fame. The Irish This is an entirely new regiment, hav ing been established in May last, as a mark of recognition by Her Majesty of the splendid services of the Irish soldiers in South Africa. The Irish Guards have not yet seen active service.

Territorial Regiments

The Queen’s

Mindful of ancient valour ” (Pristinae virfcutis memor).

The old “ Second, or Queen’s (the Royal West Surrey Regiment) was raised in 1661, the year after the Restoration, by the second Earl of Peterborough. It is one of the oldest, as it is one of the most famous of British regiments. The regiment was known as the Ist Tangerines, as it was raised for service at Tangiers. It was also known as the “ Lambs,” the paschal lamb having been adopted as the regimental badge.

The second battalion was formed in 1794, and one of its mottoes —“Even the Remnant Triumph”—commemorates the desperate valour of the regiment, which fought for nearly twenty-four hours in defending the main position at Tongres, near Liese, and thus saved the AngloDutch army. The defenders perished almost to a man, but their memory lives in the motto.

“The Brave Old Buffs. “ It flourishes with its ancient custom.”

(Yteri frondoscit honore).

" Chickens of Mars.” an old officer once quaintly called the East Kent Regiment, the 3rd Regiment of Foot formerly the Holland Regiment, who dated their origin from the “ specious times of Great Elizabeth.”

“The Fighting Buffs ” is one of the most furious regiments in the world, and few regiments can show more übiquitous record of service. It was formed in 1572. It has carried its triumphant colours on the historic battlefields of Europe, in America, and India, and its record, it is claimed, is the history of the brightest triumphs of the British Army. The names of all the great victories gained hy the British arms appear on the “ Brave Old Buffs’ ” standards, with one great exception—Waterloo. At that time “ The Chickens ” were in America. “ The Fighting Fifth.” The Northumberland Fusiliers, who at one time were duhhed “ The Shiners ” from their gay appearance, consist of the old Fifth Foot, and date their coporate existence as a regiment from 1674. All through their career they have held a high reputation.

They gained their first distinction at Wilhclmstohl. They were allowed to change their caps for those of the French Grenadiers they had defeated, and from that time dates the unique privilege they enjoy of wearing a red and white hackle feather on their fusilier caps.

In the Peninsula War “the Fifth” formed part of a small force which beat off an overwhelming body of the enemy on the heights of El Boden. The Boyal Fusiliers. At Taravera the Royal Fusiliers (City of London regiment), comprised of the old 7th Foot, “met the storm of war with unshaken firmness." At Albuera, they formed with the 23rd, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the famous Fusilier Brigade, and made that great charge, which historians tell us still kindles into enthusiasm, the most listless and unemotional.

“No sudden burst of undisciplined valour” (writes Napier), “no nervous enthusiasm weakened the stability of their order, their Hashing eyes were bent on the dark columns in front, their measured tread shook the ground, their dreadful volleys swept away the head of the formation, their deafening shouts overpowered the dissonant cries that broke from all parts of the tumultuous crowd, as foot by foot, and with horrid carnage, it was driven by the incessant vigour of the attack. The Prince Albert’s. The Somersetshire Light Infantry (Prince Alberts), the old Thirteenth Foot, dates its existence from the year 1685, when the threatened invasion by Monmouth induced the King to increase the strength of the army. They fought at the Boyne and other British battles, and in 1701 commenced the career of foreign service, in which they have won so great a renown.

The regiment was engaged in the Crimea, Zulu, and Transvaal wars. A second battalion was formed in 1858.

The Royal Foots Fusiliers. (Nemo me impune lacessit.)

The Royal Scots Fusiliers owes its origin to independent companies raised for the King’s sen ice in Scotland during the sectarian troubles of the reign of Charles 11. , The “ Earl of Mar’s Greygreeke,” as they were popularly called, were made fusiliers very early in their career. The regiment in 1761 greatly distinguished Itself at Belleisle, where they were amongst “ the first on shore, and attacked the enemy with great intredidity.” Tbe campaign in America and Canada next claimed their services. They were not at Waterloo, but they were present at Alma and Inkerman. The Cameronians. The staunch old corps, the 2Gth (Cameronians) Regiment of foot, which now forms the first battalion of Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), owes its popular designation, says an array authority, to those sorely persecuted sectaries known rs Cameronians. There first engagement was at Dunkeld, where their gallant defence was the theme of universal praise.

The Scottish Rifles fought at Eamillies, Oudcnaede, and Malplaquet, but the sickly state of the battalion, its sufferings in the Walcheren expedition, caused it to miss the Peninsula and Waterloo campaigns. The Royal Welsh Fusliers “ Not even difficulties alarm us ” (Nec aspera terrent). “ Wellington having asked MajorGeneral Pakenhan for a stop-gap regiment) to cover the retreat of the 4th division, which had fallen back on Soita during the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, the latter replied that ho had already placed, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers there.” “ Ah,” said his lordship, “ that is the very thing The “Taffies ” fought with distinction at Blenheim, Oudenarde, Dettingen, Malplaquet, and in America they were, says an American writer, “ distinguished by their gallantry and heavy losses.”

The Welsh Fusiliers were the first British troops to set foot on Crimean soil and exchange shots with the Russians. The Fusiliers accompanied Sir Colin Campbell on his march to relieve Lucknow.

One historian writes of the Fusiliers, “Happy the nation which can send such men into the battlefield.”

Duke of Cornwal’a Light Infantry.

One and all.”

The “Laccdannonians ” is the classical nickname given to the 46th, which, with the 32nd, comprise the Duke of Cornwall’s famous light infantry. The 46th earned their soubriquet in this way;—During a storm of shot and shell, an officer delivered a soul-inspiring lecture on “Spartan discipline.” They were also known as “ Murray’s Bucks,” the “Light Bobs,” and the “Bloodsuckers,” and the D.O.Co.’s. The regiment fought in America. I he Black Watch. (Nemo me impune lacessit).

“ The gallant 42nd ” Eoyal Highland Regiment of Foot, commonly termed “ The Black Watch,” from the colour of their tartans, has ever been foremost in the ranks of British battles.

“The Forty Twa” was raised in 1725 and is really the oldest of the Highland regiments, and it composed the ‘ Scots Brigade ’ of the united provinces, and wrested the laurel of victory from the best soldiers of Europe.

They were with Sir John Moore a Corunna.

At Alma, where the Guards were resting after their fierce efforts, scornfully defiant, Sir Colin Campbell called out, “Now, men, the army is watching us. Make me proud of my Highland brigade !” They did.

The King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

“ Swift and hold ” (Celer et audax).

Out of the famous 60th Foot sprang the King’s Eoyal RiTe Corps - (the “Sweeps”), which dates from 1755, when it was raised in America, and was known as the “62nd Loyal American Provincials.”

Their first great service was in Canada, and they so distinguished themselves on the Heights of Abraham, whore Wolfe fell, that, it is related, he conferred upon them their motto “ Celer ct audax,” In the battlefields of the Peninsula the 60th reaped a rich harvest of renown. With splendid bravery, battalions of the corps fought in India, and no fewer than seven V.C.’s were won by them. The Highland Light Infantry. When raised in 1777, the Highland Light Infantry was known as “ Maclcod’s Highlanders." It now consists of the 71st and 74th. Its first service was in India, in 1779, under Colonel Macleod, and it was soon actively engaged in campaigns against Hydcr Ali and Tippoo Sahib, hut the regiment gained its laurels in Europe and Egypt.

At Yittoria, where their leader, General Cadogan, fell, they avenged right grimly his death, “three hundred remaining lit for duty out of a thousand who drew rations that morning.” They bear the crowning honor of Waterloo.” The Seaforths. “Help to the King ” (Cludich ’n Righ) The Seaforth Regiment originated, and the 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot revived during the early part of the American War of Independence, the present Ist Seaforth (late 72nd) Highlanders. The corps was raised by Kenneth Mackenzie, Earl of Seaforth, and chief of the Clan Mackenzie. Called at first the Seaforth Highland Regiment of Foot, it was shortly afterwards numbered the 78th, The first battalion have seen service in the West Indies, Crimea, Egypt, and South Africa.

The second battalion of the Seaforth, consisted of the 78th, the Rothshiro “ Buffs,” did splendid service in the Indian Mutiny. The 78th gained many of the crosses inscribed “ For Valour.’ 4 Cameron Highlanders. “ And wild and high the Camerons gathering rose The war not of Lochiel, which Albyn’s hill's Have heard, and heard, too, have her Saxon foes.”

Lord Bryon, in these lines, describing the field of Waterloo, refers to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. The regiment was formerly the 79th, which was founded in 1793, by Sir Allan Cameron, from the clan which had so distinguished itself in its devoted loyalty to the Stuarts. The regiment, like the other warlike “ children of the mist fell ” has a splendid record. At the Alma they formed part of the Highland Brigade, which consisted of the Black Watch and the famous 93rd —the “ thin red streak tipped with a line of steel.”

The Royal Irish Rifles.

“ Who shall separate?” (Quis separabit).

The Royal Irish Rifles consist of the 83rd and 86th Foot, the former having been raised in Ireland in 1793, and from that year until 1806 took part in the Maroon war in the West Indies.

A second battalion was formed, and in the Peninsula gave indubitable evidence of their sterling merit. In the storming of Badajos, a story which forms one of the most tragical and splendid incidents in the military history of the world, the 83rd were the first to rush to the assault. Their bugler, though deviously wounded sounded the “ Advance,” as he lay helpless beside the headlong rush of furious men. At the capture of St Dennis in Mauritius they obtained “ particular praise,” not a little of which was due to the singularly gallant action of Corporal Hall. This brave fellow climbed the flagpost under the incessant fire of round shot and bullets, and fixed to the top the “ King’s colors ’’ of the Royal Leinster. The Royal Irish Fusiliers. (Honi soi qui mai y pense.)

“The Faugh-a-ballaghs ” (“ Clear the way”) were permanently formed in 1793, under Sir John Doyle, and it is believed that they are an off-shot of the famous “Black Watch.” The Royal Irish (Princess Victoria’s) Fusiliers consists of the 87th and 89 th Regiments.

At Monte Video, the 87th gained great praise. Their ardour would not allow them to wait; they scaled the walls, and opened a passage for themselves. In 1815 they were in India, and at Mukwanpoor materially assisted in gaining a brilliant victory over the brave. Ghoorkhas.

At Nivcllo they went into action numbering 3SG, and at the close only 170 remained alive and nnwounded, and the commanding officers enthusiastically exclaimed, “ Gallant 87 th 1 ” “ Noble 87th! ” The Rifle Brigade. The Eiflc Brigade (the Prince Consort’s Own) which was formerly the 95th, under its present and former designation lias fought everywhere. The corps was formed early in 1800. Amongst the earliest of its war services was the famous “Battle of the Baltic,” in which a detachment was present on board Nelson’s flagship, the Elephant. The Eiflc Brigade fought with great dash and spirit in the Peninsula. After the Battle of Waterloo, and in recognition of its brilliant services, the 05th Eiflcs was taken out of the Line, and constituted an independent corps, under the style of the Eifle Brigade.