29th Regiment of Foot

29th Regiment of Foot. The 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot was a distinguished line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1694. It served for nearly two centuries, seeing extensive action across the British Empire and in major European conflicts before being amalgamated in 1881. The regiment is notably associated with early service in North America and its role in the Boston Massacre.

History

The regiment was first raised in 1694 by Colonel Thomas Farrington for service in Flanders during the Nine Years' War. It fought at the Battle of Blenheim and the Battle of Ramillies under the Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1751, it was formally designated the 29th Regiment of Foot. The 29th was posted to North America in the 1760s, where it was stationed in Boston and involved in the 1770 Boston Massacre, an event which heightened tensions leading to the American Revolutionary War. During that war, it fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Brooklyn. The regiment later served in the West Indies, distinguishing itself at the Capture of Martinique in 1794 during the French Revolutionary Wars. In the Peninsular War, it fought under the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Albuera and the Battle of Vitoria. Its final major campaign was during the Crimean War, where it fought at the Battle of Alma and the Siege of Sevastopol.

Battle honours

The regiment earned numerous battle honours for its service. Those for the early wars include Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet. For its service in the Seven Years' War and later conflicts, it received honours for Martinique 1794, Albuera, Vitoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthez, and Toulouse. Its service in the Crimean War was recognized with the honours Alma, Inkerman, and Sevastopol. These honours were borne on the regimental colours and represented key engagements in its long history across Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean.

Colonels

The regiment's colonels, who were its titular heads and often influential military figures, included its founder Colonel Thomas Farrington. Later colonels of note were General Sir Henry Clinton, who served as Commander-in-Chief, North America during the American Revolutionary War, and General Sir John Moore, famed for his leadership and training reforms and his death at the Battle of Corunna. In the 19th century, Colonel Sir Charles James Napier held the position; he later achieved fame as the conqueror of Sindh. The final colonel was General Sir Charles Trollope, who commanded the regiment prior to its amalgamation.

Uniform and insignia

Throughout its history, the regiment wore the standard red coat of the British line infantry. In the mid-18th century, its facings were buff, changing to yellow in 1881 upon amalgamation. The regimental badge featured a castle and key motif, commemorating its service at the Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783). Other distinctive insignia included the sphinx superscribed "Egypt", awarded for its role in the Egyptian campaign of 1801. The shako and later the Home Service helmet were worn as headdress. The nickname "The Ever Sworded" originated from an order for officers to always wear swords, even in camp, following a surprise attack in North America.

Legacy and successor units

Under the Childers Reforms of 1881, the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot was amalgamated with the 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot to form The Worcestershire Regiment. This new regiment inherited the battle honours and traditions of its predecessors. The Worcestershire Regiment itself later amalgamated in 1970 with the Sherwood Foresters to form the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. In a further series of amalgamations within the British Army, its lineage is currently perpetuated by the Mercian Regiment, formed in 2007. The regimental museum is located at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1694 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1881