Gloucestershire Brochure Final(7) - Flipbook - Page 6
GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S
PART IN RIFLES HISTORY
Most infantry regiments carry
their battle honours on Colours
(ceremonial flags). RIFLES Battalions
do not have Colours, but all Riflemen
carry 34 representative battle
honours (of 913 awarded) on their
belt badge. Some honours were for
great battles of national significance,
like Waterloo, the Somme, El
Alamein and Normandy. Others
are unique to The Rifles, such as
Marabout and Pegasus Bridge. One
scroll on the belt badge is left blank
for a battle honour yet to be won.
Waterloo (1815) - The 28th Foot were one of the few Peninsula War veteran regiments
that the Duke of Wellington had under command at Waterloo. Their action at Quatre
Bras is the subject of Lady Butler's famous painting.
Delhi (1857) - Surgeon Herbert Reade of the 61st led an assault that stopped the
wounded from being engaged by fire. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Nonne Bosschen (1914) - 1/Glosters took part in the Battle of Nonne Bosschen,
which saw 4,000 British troops halt and defeat 10,000 Germans, including the
elite Prussian Guards.
Ypres (1914, ’15 & ’17) - In the First Battle of Ypres, 1/Glosters played a
vital role in holding back the German advance. 2/Glosters took part in the
Second Battle of Ypres. Several Battalions saw heavy fighting during the
Third Battle of Ypres.
Quebec (1759) - The 28th Foot took part in the capture of the fortress
of Louisbourg in 1758 and, the following year, formed part of the force
tasked with taking Quebec. Heavy fire from the 28th broke the French
defenders. Victory at Quebec would lead to the capture of Canada.
Somme (1916 & ’18) - During the offensive, Lt Col Carton de Wiart
8/Glosters won a Victoria Cross for his leadership, bravery and
coolness under fire. He said it was an award for the entire Battalion,
"for every man in the Battalion has done as much as I have".
Martinique (1762) - The 28th Foot formed part of an invasion
force, charged with capturing the island. Despite strong
defences, the French surrendered. The 28th went on to capture
Havana later that year.
Vittorio Veneto (1918) - 1/4th and 1/6th/Glosters fought at the
Second Battle of the Piave River and took part in the Allied
offensive during the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in OctoberNovember, forcing the Austro-Hungarian Empire out of the war.
Egypt (1801) - The battle honour Egypt was awarded after
the 28th Foot fought under General Moore. The distinction of
wearing a back badge was gained following their famous fight,
back to back, at Alexandria.
Normandy (1944) - On D Day 2/Glosters came ashore at Gold
Beach and advanced to Bayeux. Battle Honours were later won
at Villers Bocage, Falaise, Risle crossing, Le Havre and Zetten.
Peninsula (1808-14) - The 28th Foot arrived in Portugal in 1808.
They took part in many key battles, including Corunna, Talavera
and Vitoria, winning 10 battles honours. The 1st Battalion, 61st Foot
landed in Portugal in 1809 and would too see action throughout the
War, notably at Salamanca .
Korea/Imjin (1950-53) - At Imjin River, 700 men from 1/Glosters held
back 11,000 Chinese troops, buying enough time for UN forces to
reorganise a new defensive line. Two Victoria Crosses were won
in the action. The Regiment earnt the nickname of ‘The Glorious
Glosters’ and received the US Presidential Unit Citation.
Abridged timeline of historical names and amalgamations of Gloucestershire regiments from 1694 to the formation in 2007
1694
1751
Gibson’s Regiment
of Foot
28th Regiment of
Foot (28th)
1758
1782
1881
61st Regiment of Foot (later 28th (North Gloucestershire) The Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire)
Regiment (GLOSTERS)
Regiment of Foot (28th)
1994
2007
The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire
and Wiltshire Regiment (RGBW)
The Rifles
(RIFLES)
