A Retrospect.
The preceding pages will have shown that the Regiment from its inception has possessed certain distinctive characteristics which are pre-eminently those required for making Light Infantry and Riflemen of the best type.
Raised in 1755, the Regiment, inspired by the genius of Henry Bouquet, early displayed that strong individuality, that self-reliant courage, and that ready initiative coupled with steady discipline, which won from the intrepid Wolfe himself the proud motto of Celer et Audax. In 1797, under the experienced command of Baron de Rottenburg, the famous 5th Battalion (Rifles) was raised as a special type of Light Troops. Thus the 5th Battalion of the Regiment, the first Rifle Corps of the British Army, revived those special qualities of the Royal Americans which had rendered the Regiment so renowned in its earlier years, and were destined to win imperishable fame throughout the Peninsular War.
After a long interval of peace the Regiment from 1836 to 1854 received a similar impetus at the hands of Molyneux and Dundas, and reaped a rich harvest of lasting honour and glory upon the Delhi Ridge by displaying the same supremely valuable characteristics which had distinguished it in America and in Spain. Again, from 1861–1873, under Hawley’s commanding influence and inspiring skill, the Regiment, through the 4th Battalion, opened up a more rapid and elastic system of drill and tactics, a more intelligent treatment of the soldier, and the betterment of his life in barracks, of which the good effects are felt to-day not only in the Regiment but in the Army at large. The qualities thus maintained for a century and a half, have borne in later years abundant fruit, of which the stubborn courage at the Ingogo fight, the calm discipline of the Warren Hastings, the eager valour of Talana Hill, and the impetuous assault up the slopes of the Twin Peaks are glorious examples.
To the same special qualities was due the inspiration which created the Mounted Infantry as a portion of the British Army, and it is to the officers and men of the 60th that the inception and success of that powerful arm is largely due.
Let the Riflemen of to-day, who read the deeds of their gallant comrades of the past, remember that if they are to maintain the traditions and increase still more the reputation of the famous Corps to which they belong, it can only be by cultivating the same spirit of ready self-sacrifice and unsparing devotion to duty, and by developing the same prompt initiative, steady discipline, and unflinching courage, which have ever been the secret of the Regiment’s success.
Let each Rifleman also recollect that a distinguished Past is rather a reproach than a glory unless maintained by an equally distinguished Present, and developed, if possible, by an even more distinguished future.
MAP IV
SOUTH AFRICA
Illustrating the area of Operations referred to in Part III, Sections 7 and 10, also upon Inset map, Part III, Section 8.
Stanford’s Geogl. Estabt., London.
[1]. Afterwards Brigadier-General Bouquet. Born 1719, died 1765. The victor of Bushey Run. A brilliant officer, of the highest capacity as a leader and administrator. It has been said that by his untimely death Great Britain lost a general whose presence might well have caused the American War of Independence to assume a different aspect. For biographical sketch vide Regimental Chronicle, 1910.
[2]. General James Abercromby, Colonel-in-Chief, 1757–1758.
[3]. Afterwards Lieut.-General Sir Frederick Haldimand. Born 1718, died 1791. Commander-in-Chief in North America, and Governor of Quebec—a distinguished soldier-statesman.
[4]. Afterwards Major-General John Bradstreet. Born 1710, died 1774; a successful leader of irregular troops.
[5]. Afterwards Major-General. Born 1723, died 1786; dangerously wounded in July, 1759, above Quebec; the victor of Savannah, 1779, and a distinguished soldier.
[6]. Afterwards Field Marshal Sir Jeffery Amherst, Baron Amherst, Colonel-in-Chief, 1758–1797.
[7]. The Grenadier Companies also of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were included in the six companies composing the Louisberg Grenadiers, which occupied the place of honor in the front line.
[8]. General William Haviland was Colonel Commandant in 1761–1762.
[9]. Lieut.-Colonel Marc Prevost, born 1736, died 1785, youngest brother of General Augustine Prevost—a brilliant and most promising officer, who succumbed to the effect of his wounds.
[10]. Frederick, Duke of York, was the second son of George III, and brother of George IV and William IV.
[11]. Afterwards Lieutenant-General. Born 1760, died 1832. He commanded the 5th Battalion, 1797–1808. He afterwards served as Major-General commanding in Lower Canada, 1810–1815, during the American War, 1812–13.
[12]. Regulations for the Exercise of Riflemen and Light Infantry and Instructions for their conduct in the Field, with diagrams, published with a Memo, dated Horse Guards, August 1st, 1798. Copies of the editions 1808 and 1812 will be found in the Library, Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall.
[13]. Afterwards General Sir William Gabriel Davy, C.B., K.C.H., Colonel Commandant, 60th Rifles, 1842–1856. He succeeded Baron de Rottenburg in command of the 5th Battalion in 1808.
[14]. Formed in 1800, and now The Rifle Brigade.
[15]. The Battalion was especially mentioned in Wellesley’s despatch.
[16]. Formerly a Captain in the 60th.
[17]. Formerly Major in the 4th Battalion 60th.
[18]. Afterwards General the Earl of Hopetoun, G.C.B., Colonel-Commandant 6th Battalion 60th.
[19]. Afterwards Major-General Sir William Williams, K.C.B., K.T.S., died 1832.
[20]. Afterwards General Viscount Beresford, G.C.B., G.C.H., Colonel-in-Chief of the 60th Rifles, 1852–54.
[21]. Afterwards Field-Marshal Sir John Foster Fitzgerald, G.C.B. Born 1786, died 1877, aged 91.
[22]. Afterwards Colonel and C.B., died 1861.
[23]. Afterwards Colonel and C.B., died 1848.
[24]. Afterwards Lieut.-General Sir James Holmes Schoedde, K.C.B., who received thirteen clasps with his war medal. Born 1786, died 1861.
Major-Generals Sir Henry Clinton, Sir George Murray, and Sir James Kampt, Colonels Commandant of the Regiment, also served with distinction.
[25]. His Royal Highness’s sword and belts were presented to the officers of the 1st Battalion by H.M. King George IV, and are now in the Officers’ Mess.
[26]. The seventh son of George III and the Father of the late Field-Marshal H.R.H. George Duke of Cambridge, Colonel-in-Chief, 1869–1904.
[27]. 3rd son of 2nd Earl of Sefton. Born 27th August, 1800; died 1841.
[28]. Afterwards General Viscount Melville, G.C.B., Colonel Commandant 1864–1875.
[29]. Afterwards Field-Marshal Viscount Gough, K.P., G.C.B., Colonel-in-Chief 1854–1869.
[30]. Afterwards Major-General Sir John Jones, K.C.B.
[31]. Colonel Dunbar Douglas Muter, who greatly distinguished himself, obtaining two brevets during the siege and subsequent operations. He was afterwards a Military Knight of Windsor; and died in 1909.
[32]. Governor-General’s despatch, London Gazette, May 18th, 1860, upon the departure of the Regiment from India.
[33]. Now the 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (the Sirmoor Rifles). It is stated of this gallant Regiment that, when asked what reward they would like, they begged for and were granted the red facings of the 60th to be added to their Rifle uniform.
[34]. Despatch, General Sir Archdale Wilson, 22nd September, 1857.
[35]. London Gazette, May 18th, 1860.
[36]. Afterwards Colonel and C.B.
[37]. Afterwards Lieut.-General Hawley, C.B., Colonel Commandant, 1890–98, vide Biographical Sketch, Regimental Chronicle, 1909.
[38]. Afterwards General Right Hon. Sir Redvers Buller, P.C., V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Colonel Commandant, 1895–1908. Born December 7th 1839, died June 2nd, 1908. His qualities as a distinguished soldier are well summed up by the inscription upon his Memorial Tomb recently erected in Winchester Cathedral, “A Great Leader—Beloved by his Men.” Vide Biographical Sketch, Regimental Chronicle, 1908, p. 157.
[39]. Now Field-Marshal Right Hon. F. W. Lord Grenfell, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Colonel Commandant, 1898. Born April 29th, 1841.
[40]. H.R.H. George Duke of Cambridge died upon the 17th March, 1904, and was succeeded as Colonel-in-Chief by General H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, now His Majesty George V.
[41]. Afterwards Lieut.-General Feilden, C.M.G., died 1895.
[42]. Now Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley, K.P., etc.
[43]. Now Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, K.G., V.C., etc., whose only son, Lieut. the Hon. Frederick Roberts, V.C., was killed at the battle of Colenso, December 15th, 1899, when an officer of the Regiment, and serving as A.D.C. to Sir Redvers Buller.
[44]. Now Colonel Sir Arthur Davidson, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., Equerry to H.M. Queen Alexandra.
[45]. Now Major-General Sir Wykeham Leigh-Pemberton, K.C.B., Colonel Commandant, 1906. Born 4th December, 1833.
[46]. Afterwards Lieut.-Colonel Northey, mortally wounded at the Battle of Gingihlovo, Zulu War, April 2nd, 1879.
[47]. Now Major-General.
[48]. Now Major-General Sir Cromer Ashburnham, K.C.B., Colonel Commandant, 1907. Born 13th September, 1831. He succeeded Colonel Leigh-Pemberton, and commanded the 3rd Battalion throughout three campaigns, namely, Boer War, 1881; Egypt, 1882; Suakim, 1884, with conspicuous success, and was popularly known among his men as the “Lion of the Ingogo.”
[49]. Despatch, Mount Prospect, February 12th, 1881, para. 20.
[50]. Afterwards Colonel and C.B.
[51]. Afterwards General Right Hon. Sir Redvers Buller, vide p. 40 note.
[52]. Captain Hutton, now Lieut.-General Sir Edward Hutton, K.C.M.G., C.B. Colonel Commandant, 1908. Born December 6th, 1848.
[53]. Vide “Cool Courage,” an episode of the Egyptian War, 1882—Regimental Chronicle, 1908.
[54]. Now Major-General R. S. R. Fetherstonhaugh, C.B.
[55]. Afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel Berkeley Pigott, C.B., D.S.O., 21st Lancers.
[56]. W. Pitcairn Campbell, P. S. Marling, A. Miles, R. L. Bower, and two officers of The Rifle Brigade, namely, W. M. Sherston and Hon. H. Hardinge.
[57]. Afterwards General Sir Baker Russell, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., etc., a well-known Cavalry General and leader of men. Died November, 1911.
[58]. “Times” History of the War, Vol. II, p. 31.
[59]. Afterwards C.B.
[60]. Now Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Keith Turnour-Fetherstonhaugh, of Up Park, Petersfield.
[61]. Afterwards Colonel and C.B.
[62]. Now Brigadier-General and C.B.
[63]. Now Major-General and C.B.
[64]. Vide Regimental Chronicle, 1909, p. 60.
[65]. Special Army Order, March 13th, 1897.
[66]. Promoted Colonel for his conduct, and was selected for Staff employment as Chief Staff Officer in Egypt, where he was accidentally killed upon the 31st July, 1902.
[67]. Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley.
[68]. Vide Official History of the War, Vol. I, pp. 131–136.
[69]. Now Major-General, C.B., and lately A.D.C. to the King.
[70]. Now Brigadier-General, C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O., D.S.O.
[71]. Vide Official History of the South African War, Vol. I, pp. 398–9.
[72]. Now Brigadier-General and C.B.
[73]. Vide “Times” History of the South African War, Vol. III, p. 324.
[74]. Vide Official History of the South African War, Vol. I, pp. 476–484.
[75]. Now Colonel, C.B.
[76]. Now Colonel, C.M.G., and A.D.C. to the King.
[77]. Two officers died on the voyage out.
[78]. Vide note p. 52.
[79]. For a more complete account, vide Regimental Chronicle, 1902, p. 94.
[80]. Afterwards D.S.O. This promising officer died suddenly at Cairo, October 4th, 1908.
[81]. Now Colonel.
[82]. Colonel G. E. Benson, R.A., a leader of much distinction and initiative.
[83]. Vide “Times” History of the War, Vol. V.
[84]. Major T. M. Riley. Died 28th February, 1908. Vide Regimental Chronicle, 1907, p. 115.
[85]. Vide Regimental Chronicle, 1903, pp. 202–207.