THE QUEEN'S OWN (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Raised in 1755, and given black facings, which were retained till the "Royal" title was bestowed in 1831. No regiment has a more honourable record of service. The brunt of the battle of Corunna fell on the 50th, whom Sir John Moore congratulated during the battle, calling out "Well done, 50th! well done!"
Nicknames: "The Blind Half-Hundred," and "The Dirty Half-Hundred," from the men in action and in "sweating" weather wiping their faces with their black cuffs; also "The Devil's Royals." During the war in Spain, at the battle of Vimiera, 1807, the 50th completely routed the enemy, and received the title of "The Gallant Fiftieth."
The 2nd Battalion (97th Foot) nicknamed "The Celestials," from its former sky-blue facings.
(Depot, Pontefract.)
(Record Office, York.)
"Minden," "Corunna," "Fuentes d'Onor," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Orthes," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Pegu," "Ali Masjid," "Afghanistan, 1878-80," "Burma, 1885-87," "Modder River," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Motto: Cede nullis (Yield to none).
Uniform, Scarlet.
Facings, Blue.
Head-dress, Helmet.
Cap, Dark green.
Regimental March, "Jockey to the Fair."
Allied Regiment, 105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers) of Canada.