Founded at Exeter in 1688: Served with Honours in Many Different Campaigns Behind the Lancashire Fusiliers, the regiment that recently replaced the Royal Tnniskilling Fusiliers as the British Garrison in Shanghai, lies a history and a tradition of which any unit might be justly proud, and many are the dangers shared and many the honours won by the officers and men of this Regiment, which was formed as far back as 1688, when William of Orange landed in Torbay. On his arrival William issued to several gentlemen commissions to raise regiments for his service, and Sir Robert Peyton subsequently formed at Exeter six independent companies which were frst known 5 "Peyton's Own." Later, the Reglment became known as the East Devonshire Regiment or XX Foot Under the territorial system Introduced in 1881, the Regiment received Mts present title of the Lancashire Fusiliers, 'The badge of the Regiment consists of a grenade, having upon it "The Sphinx," with' the word "Egypt," and the "Laurel Wreath." The latter was awarded for services at the Battle of Minden during the Seven Years" War, and the Sphinx for services in Egypt in 1801, The motto of the Regiment is Omnia Audax, Just in time to cut across the" lines of communication of the French and fake part in the Battle of Vittoria the French retiring in great At San. Sebastian, 25 the Regiment were among these who volunteered to storm the breach made by Wellington's heavy artillery at the fort of San Sebastian, and they greatly distinguished themselves in the action, The Regiment received altogether seven battle honours for its services during the Peninsular War, and the word Peninsula was added to the honours on the Regimental Standard, urrison duty during the last years of Napoleon's life, and on his death in 1821 twelve grenadiers of the XX Foot carried the remains to his grave.
Prior to his death, Napoleon presented to Dr, Arnott of the XX Foot three volumes of "The Lite of Marlborough," and to Capt. Lutyens a brace of pistols, 'The former are now in the Officers' Mess the 1st Battalion, and the latter the 'Small Arms" School, Hythe. Other relies of the great Emperor are preserved in the officers' mess of the Ist Battalion, War of Austrian Succession During the War of the Austrian Succession, the Regiment proceeded in 1743 to 'Ostend and formed part of the force under the command of the Earl of Slair. Tt later moved to Cassel on the north bank of the River 'Main. George I afterwards took command, and crossed to the south Dank, but in so doing was cut off from' his base, He was determined to force his way, but was held up by the French at Dettingen, The King's army was outnumbered, but the. bravery of the troops not only averted defeat, but secured a hard-won, victory, the French being compelled reilte, This battle is memorable resulting in the first honours: earned by the XX Foot, ind as the last occasion upon which an English King commanded his army in baltic.
'The Regiment was sent to assist Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick dur-Jing the Seven Years' War, and in the yetr 1758 marched up the valley of the River Weser, in Hanover, where they met the French under Marshal Contades near the village of Minden, on August 1, 1759, For their bravery fon this occasion the XX Foot were excused doing duty in the line bat at their own request resumed duly the next day. In commemoration of the Battle of Minden, the regular Vattations troop the colour annually August 1.
During the same year, Maj.-Con Wolfe defeated the French under Montealm on the Heights of Abraham, Moj.-Gen, Wolfe commanded the XX Foot for eight years during part of Which tine is served in Scotland after the Battle of Dettingen, 'The sash worn by him at the Battle of Quebec now an honoured relic preserved by the Ofleers' Mess of the Ist Battalion, Shortest Campaign on Recora During the French Revolution, in 1709, the Regiment proceeded to Hol-and and took part in the two battles of Egmont-op-Zee, "This campaign was the shortest on record, lasting only for a little over five weeks, but was remarkable for the number of casualties. The Regiment alone lost over 300 men in the few weeks during which fighting. took place, 4801, the Regiment took an outpost in Egypt by the uso of the bayonet only, for which It was specially complimented by General Sir Eyre Coote, When the French surrendered, the XX Foot were given the honour of occupying the two principal forts in Fecognition of their gallant conduct during the attack, For its services in Egypt, the Regiment wag thanked by' Parliament and granted the honour of bearing upon its colours the Sphinx and the word Egypt, The Regiment also took part in the Battle of Maida, 1800, when, under the command of Col. Ross, they achieved the frst victory of the English Army over an army of Napoleo!
The Regiment also distinguished itself during the Peninsular Wa: ighting under the Duke of Welling (on for the first time at Vimiera, and under Sir John Moore at Corunna, where, after suffering great hardships and being continually engaged with the enemy, it was placed in the general reserve, It was the charge of the general reserve that turned ihe Battle of Corunna in favour of he British. Shu: tly afterwards the Regiment took part in the Walcheren =xpedition in which it was decimated fever. yeand Peninsular Campaign In the Second Campaign of the peninsular War, the Regiment arrived Army." The Regiment received the During the Crimean War, the XX' Foot formed part of the force under, the command of Lieut-Gen, " Sir George Brown, and later under Lord Raglan.
Tt landed on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles close to the spot where, 61 years later, it made its famous landing during the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.