A SHORT HISTORY OF THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

"FAITHFUL"

This is a short resume of the history of The Regiment from its formation through to the year 1814.

On 22nd April 1758, the 2nd battalion of the 23rd Regiment of Fusiliers was formed into a separate Corps as the 68th Regiment of Foot.

At the time, it is understood the men were said to have been largely recruited in the County of Durham and Lieutenant-Colonel John Lambton from the Coldstream Guards, who later became General John Lambton, and was, for many years, M.P. for Durham and grandfather of the 1st Earl of Durham, was promoted to be their Colonel. He retained the colonelcy until his death in 1794.

The coloured collars and cuffs worn by the 23rd of Foot, or 'facings' as they are known were blue. The 68th of Foot adopted a similar pattern but replaced the blue with green.
The early actions of the battalion were raids (or descents) made on the French coast during the ongoing squabbles between Britain and France at the time.

WEST INDIES(1764-1806)

In 1764 and following years, it was on active service in the West Indies engaged in the capture on one or other of those islands from the French or Spaniards.
Between 1764 and 1806 the regiment endured 4 postings to the West Indies where the battalion earned a high reputation and was granted the motto "Faithful" for its conduct in the campaign against the natives of St. Vincent.

Nevertheless, like the French troops they opposed, the greatest killer was disease and the armies were destroyed by yellow fever. In fact, over 700 had died in less than one year, plus 32 Officers (25 being from the Irish Militia). West Indian guidebooks still remark on the"Phantom Troops".

THE 68th FOOT OR DURHAM LIGHT INFANTERY (1808-1814)

In September 1808 the 68th - 436 rank and file - were ordered to convert to Light Infantry, after the fashion of the 43rd and 52nd. Marched to Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent to train with the 85th under the master of light infantry training himself, Lt. Col. Franz Von Rothenburg!

Why were they chosen?

Probably because of the simple reason that over the previous 2 years the ranks had slowly been filled by new recruits and Militia Volunteers (168 from the Durham Militia).
It seems logical to assume that it was easier to train new recruits as Light Infantry than to attempt the impossible task of retraining established Line Battalions full of long-service veterans of Foot.
July 1809 embarked on the Walcheren Expedition - 733 strong, and fought at Flushing for the first time as Light Infantry. Once again the 68th performed well but soon, along with all the other Regiments, became infected with the 'Walcheren Fever' (malaria). In 1810 the remnants returned to Brabourne Lees, 89 rank and file (Offical 'death to fever' 384).

PENINSULAR WAR

SALAMANCA (JUNE 1812)

In 1811 the 68th went to Spain to share the fame of Wellington's army in The Peninsula,
joining the newly formed 7th Division (The 'Mongrels').

After being present at the sieges of Badajoz and Cuidad Rodrigo the battalion advanced on Salamanca in June 1812. A vicious street-fight with the French at Moriscos is described by John Green (pages 89-90) - 2 Sergeants and 4 men killed, 2 Officers and 20 men wounded.

Lt. Mackay received 22 bayonet wounds and survived!

On July 22nd 7th Division was attacked by Foy's Division from Marmont's Army. The 68th and 2nd Cacadores (Portuguese L.I.) were ordered-out to repel the French Voltigeurs and came in 'for a hot breakfast' (Private Wheeler, 51st).

So commenced the Battle of Salamanca.

Early in the afternoon the 68th were relieved by the 95th. By 4 o'clock it was back with the 1st Brigade of the 7th Division; under the command of Bernewitz, when Wellington came to the front, pulled off his hat and they advanced against then broke three French Divisions!

Darkness brought the fighting to an end. The French suffered an overwhelming defeat where their losses of killed, wounded and taken prisoner totalled 20,000, compared with British losses of slightly over 5,000.

In August the 51st and the 68th were the first Regiments to march into Madrid, to great excitement. The same night (13th) they assaulted a defended Fort, The Buen Retiro, (a Royal Palace fortified by the French).
After 2 days the French surrendered and the 68th found the abandoned clothing store, and stocked-up on new shirts, stockings and shoes; then, according to legend, in the ornamental gardens they ate the fruit off the trees and the goldfish from the Royal fountain and Lake!

VITTORIA (JUNE 1813)

The battalion took a significant part in the splendid victory of Vitroria on the 21st of June 1813, when within a few hours a French army of 70,000 men was irretrievably beaten, and Joseph Bonaparte, whom Napoleon had made King of Spain, was forced to fly in such haste, that he and his courtiers, who had come to witness the battle, left their baggage strewn on the ground, much of which had been plundered by them from the Spanish.

Many soldiers and civilians came away with a fortune from Vittoria-one can see on the picture the 14th light dragoon capturing Joseph Bonaparte’s baggage during the battle.

PYRENEES (JULY 1813)

In July 1813 the British advance continued into the Pyrenees, pushing onward and upward. Found written in the 68th Regiment 'digest' in the museum, is 'on the side of a mountain'! And the next day 'on the top of a mountain'.

On the 30th July, above Ostiz,'attacked 2 battalions of Clausel's flank guard, driving them by bayonet down into the valley'. It took over a month of constant fighting in terrible conditions to push the French back over the Pyrenees.

In November Wellington attacked the formidable position taken up by Marshal Soult on the Nivelle, and the skilful tactics of the English commander, combined with the determined bravery of our troops captured, in 24 hours, the position which the French Marshal had been three months fortifying. Col. Inglis wrote 'The 68th made the attack with its usual vivacity!'
By now though it was down to 197 men.

ORTHEZ

With the same spirit the battalion fought at Orthez. The 1st Brigade, the 68th, 82nd and C.B.s charged where the 4th Division had been stopped earlier and carried the position.

One Brigade of approximately 1000 men had defeated a whole French Division.

Orthes was the last action of the 68th in the Peninsular War, since while at the capture of Bordeaux the abdication of Napoleon brought an end to the Peninsular War for the 68th.

LOSS

In three years the 68th, (a single Battalion Regiment) lost 9 Officers and 100 killed: 3 Officers and approximately 350 men died of disease, 23 Officers and 266 men wounded, disabled.
Forty years now intervened during which the regiment was not engaged on active service with an enemy, but in various quarters of the globe it took its turn of duty in guarding the safety of British colonies and possessions.

HONOURS

The battle Honours can be seen on the Regimental Flag:

"Peninsular" (its first) granted in April 1815.
"Salamanca" granted in April 1815.
"Vitoria" granted in April 1815.
"Pyrénées" granted in April 1815.
"Nivelle" was added in June 1823.
"Orthez" was added in June 1823.