*1863-66. New Zealand (1).
1881. South Africa.
*1882. Egypt (1).
*1884-85. Nile (1).
1900. South Africa.
Uniform.—1st Batt., Scarlet with Scarlet facings (1755-67); Scarlet with Black facings (1767-1831); Scarlet with Blue facings (from 1831). 2nd Batt., Scarlet with Sky-blue facings (on formation in 1824).
Regimental and other Badges.—"The Sphinx" for "Egypt" (1801). The Motto "Quo fas et gloria ducunt" ("Whither right and glory lead"), borne by the late 97th. Also, on appointments, "The Royal Crest"; "The White Horse of Kent" with "Invicta" (adopted since territorialisation). Also (formerly), "The White Horse of Hanover" (in common with many line Regiments).
Nicknames.—"The Blind Half-Hundred" (of the late 50th, many of its men suffering severely from ophthalmia in Egypt, 1801). "The Dirty Half-Hundred" (at Vimiera, where the 50th fought with much distinction; Major Napier wrote their faces were "begrimed with powder as black as their own lapels"). "The Devil's Royals" (also of the 50th). "The Gallant Fiftieth" (this sobriquet was likewise bestowed for gallantry at Vimiera, 900 "tumbling down on Laborde's division of French [5,300 strong] amidst a fearful war-cry, and with a shock that nothing could withstand"—so also wrote Major Napier). "The Celestials" (from the Sky-blue facings of the 97th raised by the Earl of Ulster, the colour being that of the ribbon of the Order of St. Patrick).
Notes.—Its county connection apparently dates from the time of the American War, when its Colonel was one of the distinguished Kentish Wilson family, who also have been intimately connected with the Kentish Militia.