Regimental Colour at Sobraon 1846


This illustration by Douglas Anderson is based on the Ackerman print of the battle of Sobraon in the First Sikh War. See Sobraon Colour. The Colour is carried by a sergeant of the Light Company as the regiment storm the Sikh defences in the closing stages of the war.

The Colour dates from 1825 when the battle honours were sewn on. Formerly the regimental device was borne on a central shield but from 1820 the territorial title was inscribed on a circular girdle with the number in Arabic numerals inside. This was surrounded by a Union wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks. The union flag in the corner dates from 1801 when the red saltire of St Patrick was added. The flag itself was buff to match the uniform facings and was 6 feet square.

There are four visible honours for battles fought in the Peninsula War. One honour has been torn off which would make five in all, but the 31st were awarded, prior to the First Sikh War, seven honours for the Peninsula. All these honours were won by the second battalion which was raised in 1803 and disbanded on 24th Oct 1814. The dates of their authorization were:

ALBUHERA 5th June 1816
TALAVERA 4th Jan 1823
VITTORIA 4th Jan 1823
NIVELLE 4th Jan 1823
NIVE 4th Jan 1823
PYRENEES 4th Jan 1823
PENINSULA 29th Jan 1825

And ORTHES 7th June 1847


Colours | Regimental details


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