It bears “The Dragon” for China, 1840 to 1842.
It was nicknamed “The Two Fives” from its number.
The first Regiment numbered 55th was raised in 1755, and is now the 53rd Shropshire.
FIFTY-SIXTH FOOT.
| Titles. | Colour of | Campaigns, Battles, &c. | ||
| Uniform. | Facings. | |||
| 58th Foot. 1755–1757 56th Foot. 1757–1782 56th West Essex. 1782—— | Scarlet, 1755—. | Crimson, 1755–1764. Purple, 1764—. | Moro, 1762. Havannah, 1762. Gibraltar, 1779–1783. Martinique, 1794. St. Lucia, 1794. Guadaloupe, 1794. Bergen, 1799. Egmont-op-Zee, 1799. | Bourbon, 1809. Mauritius, 1810. Antwerp, 1814. Netherlands, 1814–1815. Sevastopol, 1855. Indian Mutiny, 1858. |
The Regiment was raised in the north of England.
It bears “The Castle and Key” with the motto “Montis Insignia Calpe” for its share in the defence of Gibraltar.
It is said= its facings were changed in 1764, in consequence of the crimson wearing so badly; the Colonel then wished to have Blue, but this not being allowed, he took purple, the favourite colour of Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV. of France; from which it was nicknamed “The Pompadours”; and also “The Saucy Pompeys.”
The first Regiment numbered the 56th was raised 1755, and is now the 54th West Norfolk.