52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot

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52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot
officer and private of 52nd by J C Stadler, after C H Hamilton, 1800s
Active	1755–1881
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Army
Type	Line Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	Two battalions
Nickname	"The Light Bobs"[1]
Colours	Buff and scarlet
March	"Lower Castle Yard"
Engagements	American Revolutionary War including: Laxington & Concord; Bunker Hill; Long Island; White Plains; Newport; Fort Washington; Princeton; Brandywine; Philadelphia Campaign; Fort Montgomery Second & Third Anglo-Mysore Wars including: Cannanore; Bangalore; Seringapatam (1792); Pondicherry Peninsular War including: Vimeiro; Corunna; Coa; Bussaco; Casal Novo; Sabugal; Fuentes d'Onor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz (1812); Salamanca; Burgos; Vitoria; Pyrenees; San Marcial; Bidassoa; Nivelle; Nive; Orthez; Tarbes; Toulouse Waterloo
Commanders
Notable commanders	Sir John Clavering (1762–1778)[2] Cyrus Trapaud (1778–1801)[3] Sir John Moore (1801–1809)[4] Sir John Colborne (1811–15)[5]

The 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot was a light infantry regiment of the British Army throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The regiment first saw active service during the American Revolutionary War, and were posted to India during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. During the Napoleonic Wars, the 52nd were part of the Light Division, and were present at most of the major battles of the Peninsula campaign. They had the largest British battalion at Waterloo, 1815, where they formed part of the final charge against Napoleon's Imperial Guard. They were also involved in various campaigns in India.

The regiment was raised as a line regiment in 1755 as the 54th Foot, and wererenumbered as the 52nd Regiment of Foot in 1757.^[1] In 1781, the regional designation "52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot" was given, and in 1803 the regiment was the first regular British Army regiment to be designated "Light Infantry".^[6] In 1881 the regiment was merged with the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot to become the regiment later known as the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.^[1]

Contents 1 Regimental structure 2 Light infantry 3 Regimental history 3.1 Early history 3.2 American Revolutionary War 3.3 Indian Wars 3.4 Small campaigns and transition to light infantry 3.5 Napoleonic Wars 3.6 Later history 4 Colours and honours 5 Uniform and badge 6 Valiant Stormers 7 Enduring legacy 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Regimental structure

The British Army comprised both infantry and cavalry line regiments, as well as the Household Divisions. The regiments of the line were numbered and, from 1781, were given territorial designations, which roughly represented the area from which troops were drawn. This was not rigid, and most English regiments had a significant proportion of Irish and Scots.^[7] Many regiments contained more than one battalion. Commanded by a lieutenant colonel, an infantry battalion was composed of ten companies, of which eight were "centre" companies, and two flank companies: one a grenadier and one a specialist light company. Companies were commanded by captains, with lieutenants and ensigns (or subalterns) beneath him.^[7] Ideally, a battalion comprised 1000 men (excluding NCOs, musicians and officers); the 1st (or senior) battalion of a regiment would draw fit recruits from the 2nd battalion to maintain its strength. If also sent on active service, the 2nd battalion would consequently be weaker.^[7] In periods of long service, battalions were generally opertaing under strength.^[8] Seriously under-strength battalions might be disolved, or temporarily drafted into other regiments.^[8]

[edit] Light infantry

From its first inception until the beginning of the 19th century, the British Army relied on irregulars and mercenaries to provide most of its light infantry.^[9] Occasionally, such as during the Seven Years' War and the American wars, the need for more skirmishers, scouts and other light troops resulted in a temporary secondment of regular line companies.^[10] These were typically denigrated by the regular army officers, and the specially trained companies allowed to lapse whenever the need for them decreased.^[11] From 1758, regular regiments were required to include one company of light infantry, but the training of such light troops was inconsistent, and frequently inadequate.^[12] Beginning a restructure of the British Army in the late 18th century, the Duke of York recognised a need for dedicated light troops.^[13] Certainly, the lack of such troops contributed to the British loss during the American wars,^[11] and presented a further concern for the British Army newly faced with a war against Napoleon and his experienced light infantry, the chasseurs.^[14] During the early war against the French, the British Army was bolstered by light infantry mercenaries from Germany and the Low Countries, but the British light infantry companies proved inadequate against the experienced French during the Flanders campaign, and in the Netherlands in 1799, and infantry reform became urgent.^[15]

In 1801, the "Experimental Corps of Riflemen" was raised (later designated the 95th Rifles), and a decision was made to train some line regiments in light infantry techniques, so they might operate as both light and line infantry. Sir John Moore, a proponent of the light infantry model, offered his own regiment of line infantry, the 52nd, for this training, at Shorncliffe Camp.^[16] Thus, in 1803, the 52nd became the first regular British Army regiment to be designated "Light Infantry".^[6] They were followed shortly afterwards by the 43rd Foot, by whose side they would fight many campaigns as part of the Light Division. Several other line regiments were designated "light infantry" in 1808.^[17]

Moore wrote of his regiment in his diary that "it is evident that not only the officers, but that each individual soldier, knows perfectly what he has to do; the discipline is carried on without severity, the officers are attached to the men and the men to the officers."^[18] This had much to do with the method of training; unlike other regiments, officers drilled with the men and were expected to be familiar with drill routines, including weapons training.^[19] The ranks also received additional training, and were encouraged to develop initiative and self-direction; while skirmishing in the field they would need to react without direct orders.^[19] Most regiments fought in tight formation, allowing easy administration of orders; with light infantry working in small groups, in advance of the main line, complicated bugle calls were developed to pass orders.^[20] The bugle became the emblem of the light infantry regiments.^[21]

While skirmishing, light infantry fought in pairs, so that one soldier could cover the other while loading. Line regiments fired in volleys, but skirmishers fired at will, taking careful aim at targets.^[22] While consideration was given to equipping light infantry with rifles, due to their improved accuracy, expected difficulty and expense in obtaining sufficient rifled weapons resulted in the standard infantry musket being issued to most troops.^[16] The accuracy of the musket decreased at long range and, since the French chasseurs and voltigeurs also used muskets, it is likely that skirmishers' firefights took place at ranges of only 50 yards (or less). 10 yards provided the accuracy of point-blank range.^[23] Although the French infantry (and, earlier, the Americans) frequently used multi-shot and grapeshot in their muskets, the British light infantry used only standard ball ammunition.^[24]

Light infantry were equipped more lightly than regular line regiments, and marched at 140 paces per minute.^[6]

Tasks of the light infantry included advance and rear guard action, flanking protection for armies and forward skirmishing. They were also called upon to form regular line formations during battles, or as part of fortification storming parties. During the Peninsular War, they regarded as the army's elite corps.^[8]

[edit] Regimental history

[edit] Early history

The 52nd began as standard infantry line regiment in 1755, when Colonel Hedworth Lambton received papers to raise a new regiment, to be numbered as the 54th Foot. It was renumbered as the "52nd Regiment of Foot" in 1757, and was stationed in England and Ireland.^[25] (At the same time, the previous 52nd foot was renamed the 50th Foot.) In 1765, the Regiment was posted to Canada.^[26] The regiment, under the command of Colonel Clavering, departed Cork, Ireland aboard the transport Pitt, for Quebec. En route, the ship ran aground in dense fog in the Gulf of St Lawrence, near the coast of Nova Scotia; the wreck remained intact enough for all on board, including the soldiers' wives, to disembark safely, transferring their effects and regimental provisions to shore.^[27] General Murray, Governor of Quebec, sent a schooner to retrieve the personnel and belongings, and carry them to Quebec.^[28]

[edit] American Revolutionary War

Twenty years after its founding, the regiment saw active service in the American War of Independence, 1774–82. The 52nd was shipped to America from Canada, arriving in Boston, followed shortly by the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, in 1775.^[29] While at Bunker Hill, they fought alongside the 43rd Foot for the first time.^[30] They suffered heavy casualties at Bunker Hill, and in their grenadier company, only 8 men were left unwounded.^[25] In August, 1778, the men were drafted into other regiments and the officers returned to England.^[31] In 1782, the introduction of county titles for regiments resulted in the 52nd adding "Oxfordshire" to their title.^[25]

[edit] Indian Wars

In 1783, the 52nd arrived in Madras, for nine years of war spanning the second and Third Anglo-Mysore Wars, including the campaign against the Tippu Sultan led by Lord Cornwallis.^[29] A detachment from the 52nd took part in the 1785 siege of Cannanore.^[25] The 52nd saw many engagement in India, including those at Pollighautcherry (1789), a battle near Seringapatam (1790), and Savandroog (1790).^[32] Amongst the engagements in India, the 52nd were present at the 1791 assault on Bangalore, and the 1792 siege of Seringapatam, where the battalion's grenadier company received heavy causalties while crossing the river.^[33] During the battle, the 52nd came to the aid of Lord Cornwallis, whose companies were exposed and in danger of capture.^[32] The regiment were also involved in the 1793 assault on Pondicherry.^[33]

[edit] Small campaigns and transition to light infantry

After serving in Ceylon, the 52nd returned to Britain in 1798. Bolstered by new recruits, a second battalion was created.^[34] In 1800 the 52nd took part in theQuiberon and Ferrol expeditions and, after short stations in Gibraltar and Lisbon, returned to England in 1801^[25][34] In January 1803, the regiment's 2nd battalion was transferred into the 96th Foot; prior to the transfer, the fittest men and officers were seconded by the 1st battalion, which was converted into "a corps of light infantry", and began training under Major-General Moore (who was also Colonel of the 52nd) at Shorncliffe Camp. They formed a brigade with the 95th Rifles, and three line regiments. Much of the training was undertaken by Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth MacKenzie, who devised many of the tactics of light infantry training.^[4] A new second battalion was raised in 1804.^[34]

[edit] Napoleonic Wars

See also: Peninsular War and Waterloo Campaign

Both battalions of the 52nd experienced active service throughout the Napoleonic Wars, their paths occaisonally overlapping. In 1806–7, the 1st battalion were stationed in Sicily, where they helped train local soldiers; later, they accompanied Moore to Sweden.^[34] In August 1806, the 2nd battalion accompanied the expedition to Copenhagen, taking part in the 1807 assault against Copenhagen, which was led by General Wellesley.^[17] The 2/52nd landed in Portugal in August 1808 and, with the 2/43rd, were positioned in the nearby village of Vimeiro to provide cover for the army landings at the nearby Maceira Bay. Three companies of the 2/52nd were posted with the advance guard, and were the first to encounter the enemy during the Battle of Vimeiro.^[17] Following the battle, the British commander Wellesley was superseded in turn by two superiors, Sir Harry Burrard and Sir Hew Dalrymple respectively, who signed the Convention of Sintra. This action inspired their recall to England, and command of the British troops devolved on Sir John Moore, the 52nd's colonel.^[35]

In October, Sir John Moore led the army into Spain, reaching as far as Salamanca. In December, they were reinforced by 10,000 troops from England, including the '1st Flank Brigade', which was made up of 1/52nd, 1/43rd and 1/95th and led by Robert Craufurd.^[35] Moore's army now totalled 25,000, but his advance was cut short by the news that Napoleon had defeated the Spanish, held Madrid, and was approaching with an army of 200,000. Moore turned his men, and retreated to Corunna, over mountain roads and through bitter winter weather.^[35] French cavalry pursued the British Army the length of the journey, and a Reserve Division was set to provide rearguard protection for the British troops.^[35] The core of the Reserve, commanded by Edward Paget, consisted of the 1/52nd and 1/95th regiments,^[36] who displayed none of the ill-discipline which plagued other regiments during the retreat, and who "made a stand at ever defile and riverline, buying time for the rest of the army to get away."^[37] Craufurd's reorganised 1st Flank Brigade, now containing 1/43rd, 2/52nd and 2/95th,^[36] deployed with the Reserve, protecting the crossing of the river Esla near Benavente, before separating from the army and marching to Vigo, with over 4,000 other troops.^[38][39] The French caught up with the main army at Corunna, and in the ensuing battle, in January 1809, Moore was killed; the army, including the 1/52nd, were evacuated to England.^[35]

The 1/52nd, along with 1/43rd and 1/95th, returned to the Peninsula in June 1809, where they were designated the "Light Brigade", under the command of General Craufurd.^[40] Alighting in Lisbon and hearing of the army's engagement with the French, they undertook a forced march to Talavera, arriving mere hours after the battle.^[40] The march was an extraodinary achievement, covering 42 miles in 26 hours, at a time when an infantry march of 15 miles a day was standard.^[41] Henceforth, the 52nd generally remained in advance of the army, as a forward party, a role which was to be theirs throughout much of the war. In February 1810, Portuguese Cazadores were added to Craufurd's brigade, creating the Light Division, the 52nd forming a brigade with 1st Cazadores and four companies from the 95th, under Lt-Col Barclay.^[40] While holding a forward outpost, the Light Division was involved in the Battle of the Côa, in July 1810,^[40] and took part in the Battle of Bussaco, where the Light Division held the left against the main French charge, which they successfully repulsed, inflicting high casualties; 1200 Frenchmen were killed, wounded or captured, while the Light Division suffered only 120 casualties.^[42] When Wellington's army retreated back to the Lines of Torres Vedras, late 1810, the Light Division acted as rearguard.^[43] The French were unable to broach the Torres Vedras defences, but engaged the British army in a number of small skirmishes, such as those fought by the Light Division, under the temporary command of Sir William Erskine, at Casal Novo – where they unwittingly came upon 11 French divisions in the fog^[44] – and Sabugal (April 1811), an engagement of which Wellington later wrote: "I consider that the action that was fought by the Light Division [...] with the whole of the [French] 2nd Corps, to be the most glorious that British troops were ever engaged in."^[42]

After returning to England in 1809, the 52nd's 2nd battalion had joined the Walcheren Campaign.^[34] In 1811, they rejoined their first battalion, who were manning outposts near Almeida.^[43] In early May, battle was engaged at Fuentes d'Onoro; initially set in the reserve, the Light Division came to the aid of the struggling British 7th Division, and provided a fighting retreat, as Wellington retired his army.^[45] For the rest of the year, the 52nd, with the Light Division, manned outposts, which were constantly moved to mark the changing French positions.^[45]

January 1812 saw the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo. Companies from the light Division, under the 52nd's Colonel Colborne, captured the Francisco redoubt on 9 January, and thereafter built trenches for the main assault, under enemy fire.^[45] Once the army's artillery had berached the walls, a 4-column assault was planned for 19 January, the Light Division forming the column which assaulted the breach near the Convent of San Francisco.^[45] Lt John Gurwood of the 52nd led the Forlorn Hope,^[46] followed by 300 "stormers" under the command of the 52nd's Major George Napier.^[47] The breach was carried the fortress was taken within half an hour, a victory which came at great cost. Amongst the 1300 British and Portuguese casualties was Craufurd, who died several days later.^[48] The army turned its attention to Badajoz, another strong fortress, which the British had failed to carry on an earlier occasion. The Light Division again dug trenches, near Fort Picurina, which was stormed, and batteries established.^[48] On 6 April, the breaches were deemed practicable, and the Light Division ordered to storm the breach at Santa Maria. As the Light Division's Forlorn Hope reached the ditch, the French exploded a mine. Various other barricades and gunpowder defenses were in place, and the toll at the breaches was heavy. Wellington ordered a withdrawal. Elsewhere, the fortress walls were achieved by escalade, encouraging an attack on the breaches again. The fortress was taken, at great cost (over 5000 British casualties), and for three days the army sacked and pillaged the town in undisciplined revenge.^[49] The 52nd and the 43rd together lost 39 officers and 700 men, resulting in a reduction of the 2/52nd.^[49]

Soon after the assault on Badajoz, Wellington marched his men to confront the French near Salamanca. For a month the armies marched and counter-marched against each other, seeking advantage, and on 22 July Wellington attacked in the Battle of Salamanca, achieving a comprehensive victory.^[49] The Light Division were in the reserve during the battle, and afterwards pursued and harried the retreating French.^[50] August saw the army in Madrid, where the 52nd remained while Wellington attempted to take Burgos. The siege was unsuccessful, and it was lifted by Wellington in June; the 52nd, with the Light Division, covered the army's retreat back into Portugal. This "Winter Retreat" bore similarities with the earlier retreat to Corunna, as it suffered from poor supplies, bitter weather and rearguard action, including one skirmish near the River Huebra, where the 43rd and 52nd lost 95 men.^[50] Ciudad Rodrigo was reached on 19 November, the 52nd billeted, and resupplied with both men and clothing. Diversions were set up, including the "Light Division Theatre", in which the 52nd were described as "highly gentlemanly men, of steady aspect; they mixed little with other corps, but attended the theatricals of the 43rd with circumspect good humour, and now and then relaxed."^[50]

In spring, 1813, the army returned to the offensive, leaving Portugal and marching northwards through Spain to Vittoria where the French stood in preparation for battle, which took place on 21 June. The Light Division held the centre of the Allied line, and took the bridges of Villodas and Tres Puentes.^[51] The battle proved an overwhelming victory for the British, and the following day the 52nd, with the Light Division, were sent in pursuit of the retreating French, skirmishing with the enemy rearguard.^[51] In August, volunteers from the 52nd were involved in the storming of San Sebastian.^[51] The 52nd crossed into France on 7 October, when they stormed redoubts above Vera.^[51] the 52nd fought in the battles Nivelle (November 1813), Nive (December 1813) and Orthes in February 1814.^[51] Napoleon abdicated on 6 April 1814, but the news arrived in Wellington's camp too late to prevent the Battle of Toulouse, on 10 April, during which battle the 52nd's Lieutenant Whichcote was first into the city.^[51]

Over this period, the 2/52nd left the Peninsula and accompanied Sir Thomas Graham to Holland in 1813–14.^[52]

At the conclusion of the war, the 1/52nd returned to England, and were billeted in Hythe and Chatham. The 2/52nd also returned from Belgium, transferring their effectives to the 1st battalion.^[53] In January, 1815, the 1/52nd departed Portsmouth for Cork, where they were due to embark for America, where fighting in the War of 1812 continued. Gales prevented sailing, and by the time conditions had improved, news had arrived of Napoleon's escape from Elba. The 1/52nd were sent to Belgium, at the start of the Hundred Days.^[54]

The first battalion were present at Waterloo.^[52]

[edit] Later history

The 1st battalion were sent to Paris after Waterloo, and remained stationed in France until 1818. In 1816, the 2nd battalion were disbanded.^[52] Over the following years they received a number of overseas postings. Between 1823 and 1831, the regiment was stationed at, in turn, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island.^[55] Records of April 1842 show that they were, at that time, stationed in Barbados.^[56] In 1842,the regiment returned to Canada, and were posted to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec; they left Canada in 1845.^[55] The 52nd returned to India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and led the assault on the Kashmir Gate at Delhi, where Bugler Robert Hawthorne and Lance Coporal Henry Smith won the Victoria Cross for bravery.^[29] The 52nd later fought in campaigns in India, Burma and Sudan. In 1881, due to the Childers Reforms, they were merged with the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot, a regiment they fought alongside as part of the Light Division during many campaigns.^[29] The newly-combined unit was named the "Oxfordshire Light Infantry" – the 52nd becoming the 2nd Battalion – and later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.^[1] In 1958, the Ox & Bucks became 1st Battalion The Green Jackets (43rd & 52nd),^[17] and in 1966 were merged into the Royal Green Jackets.^[57] In 2007, the Royal Green Jackets became part of The Rifles.

[edit] Colours and honours

Like most British regiments, the 52nd carried flags known as "colours": the First, or "King's Colour", and the Second, or "Regimental Colour". The First had the Union Flag with the Regiment's number in the centre, surrounded by a wreath.^[58] Following the presentation of their colours in 1799, the 52nd's King's Colour included the Royal Cipher in the centre, a non-standard addition.^[59] The Second was in the colour of the regimental facings (buff, in the 52nd's case) with a small Union Flag in the corner; the regimental number took the centre.^[58] The colours were carried into battle for identification, and as a rallying point, in the care of sergeants or ensigns. Attending the colours in battle was dangerous, since they were a target for enemy artillery and assault; due to the symbolic significance of the colours, their one loss was a grave issue, and extreme measures were often taken to prevent such dishonour occuring.^[60] The skirmishing and forward positions maintained by light infantry frequently made the bearing of colours inconvenient. For this reason, the newly raised 95th Rifles received no colours, but the converted line regiments, such as the 52nd, retained their existing colours. While some light infantry regiments opted not to carry them in the Peninsula, the 52nd and 43rd did.^[61]

Battle honours were awarded to a regiment for their performance in certain battles and campaigns, and were displayed on their colours. The 52nd received the honour "Hindoostan" for their service in India in the war against the Tippu Sultan.^[34] The other honours awarded were: Vimiera, Corunna, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula,^[62] Waterloo and Delhi 1857.

[edit] Uniform and badge

Throughout the regiment's life, the 52nd Foot wore traditional British Army red coats, with buff facings. During the American wars, the coat was long tailed, with buff facings, buff waistcoat and breeches. The grenadier company wore a bearskin hat with the King's Crest and the regimental number. Officers wore crimson sash, gorget and silver epaulettes.^[63]

When becoming a light infantry regiment in 1803, the uniform accordingly changed. Light infantry dress has its origins in the American Revolutionary wars, when uniforms were altered to allow ease in the field. "Wings", similar to those worn by grenadiers, were added to the shoulders and lacing was dispensed with, to make the quick removal of coats possible.^[64] At this time, the irregular light infantry also sought less conspicuous dress than the traditional red coat.^[9] However, conservatism returned with the new regular light infantry; while the 95th Rifles were permitted to retain the green clothing used by the German regiments, the seconded line regiments were required to retain the red coat, which remained an impediment to their skirmishing duties.^[65]

Thus, throughout the Napoleonic wars, the 52nd foot continued to wear red uniforms with buff facings. The officers had silver lace, while the other ranks' lace was worn in pairs, red with orange stripes (according to 1802 regulations); in 1812 a commentator described the lace as red with two blue stripes.^[66] Light infantry officers wore short jackets, rather than the tailed coats of the other line regiments, with white piping, silver buttons, and silver and scarlet shoulder wings. The uniform was completed with a crimson sash; to match the buff facings and turn-backs, the officers generally wore buff breeches, or grey overalls.^[67][68] Field officers of the 52nd wore silver epaulettes, with regimental badge, overtop the light infantry wings, to designate rank. An 1810 order stipulated these be badged with a star (for majors), a crown (lieutenant colonels) or star and crown (colonels).^[69] Light infantry also commonly wore a narrow waist-belt instead of the customary shoulder-belt.^[68] The 52nd did not adopt the "Belgic cap" but retained the stovepipe shako throughout the Napoleonic period; it was adorned with the brass bugle badge and green plumes of the light infantry.^[67] In the 52nd, officers' plumes were made from horsehair. Officers generally carried a stirrup-hilted sabre.^[68]

Officers were responsible for providing (and paying for) their own uniforms; consequently, variable style and decoration was present, according to the officer's private means.^[70] This could consume a significant portion of an officer's pay; during the Napoleonic era, the 52nd's plain regimental sabre, for example, cost 4 guineas, approximately 16 days' pay for an ensign.^[71]

The Regimental Badge of the 52nd showed a bugle horn, suspended by cords from a knot, with the number "52" below the tassels. The bugle horn had been the badge of light infantry regiments since 1770, adapted from the Hanoverian Jaegar regiments, and became standard for the newly formed Light Infantry regiments, since it represented the bugle calls used for skirmishing orders, rather than the standard line infantry drum.^[21] The regimental badge was worn on much of the equipemnt, including the shakos and belts, and also frequently on turnbacks and officer's shoulder wings.^[72][73]

[edit] Valiant Stormers

During the Peninsular War, the 52nd fulfilled their dual role as line and light infantry by contributing to fortress assault parties. The companies that led the breach assaults were known as the "Forlorn Hope", (from the Dutch for "Lost Troop"). It was deemed an act of high honour, since the lead troops faced the greatest danger.^[74] The 52nd contributed to the Forlorn Hope at the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz (1812) and San Sebastian. Officers and sergeants who survived could hope for battlefield promotion (although it was not assured), but other ranks rarely received reward. The 52nd, however, offered its own recognition. Those who survived the Forlorn Hope at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz were entitled to wear on their right arm a badge displaying a laurel wreath and the letters "V.S." for "Valiant Stormer".^[75][74] This honour was awarded by the 52nd's commanding officer, and was restricted to the 52nd.^[76][74]

[edit] Enduring legacy

Despite its continual merging with other units from 1881, the legacy of the 52nd remains. Many of its battle honours are retained on the badge of The Rifles.^[77] Various museums record the actions of the 52nd and hold collections of artifacts and memorablilia, including the Royal Green Jackets Museum.

Some officers of the 52nd recorded their experiences in the regiment. One of the most notable is Reginald Wilberforce, grandson of slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce, who wrote, in 1894, An Unrecorded Chapter of the Indian Mutiny; on publication, the book was criticised by his fellow officers of the 52nd for its inaccuracy.^[78]

[edit] See also

• Officers of the 52nd Foot
• Soldiers of the 52nd Foot
• British Army during the Napoleonic Wars

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Chappell, Mike; (2004) Wellington's Peninsula Regiments (2): The Light Infantry, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1841764035
• Costello, Edward; (1841) The Adventures of a Soldier, London: Henry Colburn, available online
• Fosten, Bryan; (1992) Wellington's Infantry: V.2, UK: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 0850454190, excerpts available online
• Glover, Michael; (1974) The Peninsular War 1807–1814: A Concise Military History, UK: David & Charles, ISBN 0715363875
• Haythornthwaite, Philip J. (1987) British Infantry of the Napoleonic Wars, London: Arms and Armour Press, ISBN 0853688907
• Haythornthwaite, Philip J. (1995) The Colonial Wars Sourcebook, London: Arms and Armour Press, ISBN 1854091964
• Haythornthwaite, Philip J. (2001) Corunna 1809: Sir John Moore's Fighting Retreat, UK: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1855329689, excerpts online
• Leach, Jonathan; (1831) Rough Sketches of the Life of an Old Soldier, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, available online
• Philippart, John; (1820) The Royal Military Calendar, Or Army Service and Commission Book, UK: A.J. Valpy, available online
• Smith, Thomas Barlow; Young Lion of the Woods, available online
• Sumner, Ian; Hook, Richard; (2001) British Colours and Standards 1747-1881 (2): Infantry, UK: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1841762016
• Wickes, H.L. (1974) Regiments of Foot: A historical record of all the foot regiments of the British Army, Berkshire: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 0850452201
• Wilkinson-Latham, Christopher; Roffe, Michael; (1975) The Royal Green Jackets UK: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 085045249X excerpts available online

[edit] External links

• Light Infantry.org
• British Army regimental history
• Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust
• Oxfordshire County Council Collections: 52nd Foot artifacts (enter search term "52nd Foot")