It received its title and first motto in 1703 for its gallant conduct at Tongres, 1703.
It is said= to have been called “the Governor’s Regiment” at its formation.
It was nicknamed “Kirke’s Lambs,” from its Badge and Colonel from 1682 to 1691; also “the Sleepy Queen’s,” from its carelessness at Almeid=a in allowing General Brennier to escape.
THIRD FOOT.
| Titles. | Colour of | Campaigns, Battles, &c. | |||
| Uniform. | Facings. | ||||
| The Holland Regiment. 1665–1689 Prince George of Denmark’s Regiment. 1689–1708 The Buffs. 1708–1751 3rd, or The Buffs. 1751–1782 3rd East Kent (the Buffs). 1782—— | Scarlet, 1665—. | Buff, 1665—. | Walcourt, 1689. Neer-Landen, 1690. Flanders, 1689–1697. Schellenberg, 1704. Blenheim, 1704. Ramilies, 1706. Oudenarde, 1708. Lisle, 1708. Tournay, 1709. Malplaquet, 1709. Germany, 1703–1713. | Dettingen, 1743. Fontenoy, 1745. Val, 1747. Flanders, 1742–1747. Guadaloupe, 1759. Belle Isle, 1761. America, 1781. Nimeguen, 1794. Flanders, 1794–1795. Grenada, 1796. Douro, 1809. | Talavera, 1809. Albuera, 1811. Pyrenees, 1813. Nivelle, 1813. Nive, 1813. Peninsula, 1808–1814. Plattsburg, 1814. Punniar, 1843. Sevastopol, 1855. Taku Forts, 1860. |
The Regiment had been in the service of Holland from the time of Queen Elizabeth, and so retained its title on being taken on the establishment of the British Army.
It bore in 1686 the Red Cross of St. George bordered with white on a green ground.
It received its badge of “the Dragon” for its gallant conduct on all occasions, and as indicating the origin of the Regiment in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
It also bears the Rose and Crown.
It captured eleven guns and a Standard at the Battle of Punniar.