Cigarette Cards
Army Badges
Page 1 of 2A series of 48 cards.
Nos. 1-24
No.1
THE KING’S OWN ROYAL REGIMENT - Raised in 1680, this regiment was the first to join the standard of William of Orange when he came to England, and is the only one to have the Lion of England on its badge. George I gave the regiment its present title in 1715, before which it had been known as the Queen's Own. The King's Own Royal has long been associated with Lancaster, and the honours shown on the front indicate its great service during the War.
No.2
THE ROYAL SUSSEX - The Badge of the Royal Sussex Consists of the Star of the Order of the Garter and the White (Rousillon) Plume. The latter dates from their capture of the standard of the Rousillon Grenadiers at Quebec. The regiment was raised in 1701 and served many years as marines. The second battalion were the 2nd Bengal European Infantry, belonging to the East India Company. They became the Sussex Regiment in 1804. The 'Orange Lillies' is their service nickname.
No.3
THE BUFFS - Though now the official title of this ancient regiment,'Buffs' was originally a nickname given them because of the leather jackets they wore. The regiment descends directly from the 300 men sent to help the Protestants in Holland, among whom Sir Philip Sidney died. In recognition of their services, the Burghers of Bruges presented them with 600 barrels of beer. In 1689 they were Prince George of Denmark's Regiment, and their present Colonel-in-Chief is H.M. King Christian of Denmark.
No.4
THE QUEEN'S OWN ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT - The old 50th formed the first battalion of this regiment in the merger of 1881. They earned their nickname, 'the Dirty Half-hundred', at Vimiera during the Peninsula War, when their faces were black with powder after their hard-won victory. 'Vimiera' is their first battle honour. The second battalion dates from 1824, when it was raised as the Earl of Ulster’s Regiment. The horse so prominent in the badge is the white horse of Kent.
No.5
17th/2lst LANCERS - The 17th were the famous 'Death or Glory Boys' , as a glance at the badge will show. They were formed in 1759 by Col. Hale who brought the news of Wolfe's Victory at Quebec and chose the badge in honour of him. The 2lst with whom the 17th is now combined was formed as a Dragoon regiment in 1760. They made a famous charge at Omdurman after which they were known as the 'Empress of Indias'.
No.6
THE LIFE GUARDS - The Life Guards and The Royal Horse Guards together form the Household Cavalry, and take precedence over all other regiments. They are the King's personal guard, and have provided the guard in Whitehall for over 250 years. The Life Guards were formed from two earlier regiments, both raised in 1660, and the Horse Grenadiers, formed in 1693. Their fighting record is superb, and Wellington simply said 'Thank you, Life Guards', after Waterloo.
No.7
COLDSTREAM GUARDS - The Coldstream can claim to be the oldest guard regiment in the army, having been formed in Newcastle by Cromwell in 1650. In contrast to the Grenadiers, who were raised a trifle later among the Royalists, Charles II. demanded a formal expression of loyalty from them at the Restoration, and they were the only Puritan foot regiment retained in the Royal Army. As with all the Foot Guards, H.M. The King is Colonel- in-Chief.
No.8
THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT - This famous county regiment has been associated with Gloucestershire ever since its formation in 1694, and has a tremendous fighting record. Theirs is the privilege of wearing a badge on both the back and front of the cap. This was awarded them for their back-to-back stand at Alexandria in 1801. While the second battalion repeated the achievement at Chillianwallah in 1849. On this account they are known as 'the Fore and Afts' or 'the Back Numbers'.
No. 9
THE QUEEN’S ROYAL REGIMENT - The unmistakable badge of the Queen's Royal Regiment is the Paschal Lamb, crest of the Royal House of Braganza. Tangier was part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza on her marriage to Charles II, and this regiment was formed to garrison it in 1661, thus being second in seniority to the Royal Scots among infantry regiments. Tangier, 1662- 80 is their first battle honour. Their nicknames, 'The Tangerines,' 'The Lambs' and 'The Mutton Lancers' explain themselves.
No. 10
THE WELCH REGIMENT - The origin of the first battalion of this regiment is among the most amazing in history. They were raised for service in times of crisis, as the 1st Invalids (now their nickname) in 1719. For almost seventy years they remained a regiment composed of disabled and invalided men. The regiment was entirely reformed in 1787, and Wellington became one of their officers shortly after. The second battalion dating from 758 saw much service as marines, and later fought in India.
No. 11
THE BORDER REGIMENT - The existing friendship between the old 34th Regiment of France and the first battalion of the Border Regiment, which is the Old British 34th, dates from 1811, when the latter captured the complete French regiment. The drum and Drum major's Staff are still preserved, and the battle honour then won, 'Arroyo dos Molinos' is unique. The Old 55th, which became the second battalion, captured a Chinese standard during the war of 1841-3, a unique event in the history of the Army.
No. 12
THE EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT -Service in Africa earned this regiment the Sphinx seen in their budge, awarded in 1801. They had been formed in 1702 to serve as marines, and their association with the sea lasted over a century, until 1814. Its officers still wear the marine cuff in mess dress. Disaster at sea has also figured in their history, as one battalion, after a brief but brilliant career, was lost in 1812 when two transport ships foundered at sea.
No.13
THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS - William III raised this regiment in 1698, and they won great glory some years later at Minden. commemorated by the wreath which encircles the badge. Another of their historical distinctions was that of being on duty at St. Helena when Napoleon died. They have a book presented by him on his death bed, and his body was carried by twelve of their company. Thirty battalions served during the War, and the first battalion gained six V.C.'s in Gallipoli in 1915 — a fine record.
No.14
THE LOYAL REGIMENT - An association with Lancashire lasting almost two hundred years is responsible for the rose seen in their badge, the metal version of which also accounts for their nickname, the 'Cauliflowers'. Their two unique battle honours are worthy of note — 'Defence of Kimberley' and, among the Great War honours shown here, 'Kilimanjaro.' The second battalion, formerly of Lincoln, retained their title 'Loyal' in the merger of 1881, earned by their eagerness for service.
No.15
THE RIFLE BRIGADE - After continental armies had shown the superiority of the rifle over the smooth bore musket, an Experimental Rifle Corps was formed in 1800 from men drawn from various regiments. This composite corps was put into the line as the 95th Foot. After the Waterloo campaign, the regiment was withdrawn from the line, and ultimately became the Rifle Brigade in 1861, and a glance at their tremendous list of honours will give an idea of their service.
No.16
THE BLACK WATCH - After the 1745 rebellion, all the known Scottish tartans were supressed, and this regiment adopted a very dark tartan, which gave them their name. They are the oldest highland regiment in the Army, dating from 1729. They have an inspiring record of service, extending from North America to India and South Africa. No less than nine of their battle honours refer to the Peninsula War, during which they attended Sir John Moore at his death at Corunna.
No.17
THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY - 'The Pig and Whistle Infantry' is the nickname of this famous Scottish regiment. A glance at the badge will show that the 'whistle' is a hunting horn, while the 'pig' is an elephant awarded for Indian service. The first battalion fought at St. Vincent as Marines. The second was awarded the 'Assaye' colour by the East India Company for its great sacrifice in that battle. They have the longest list of honour's of any Scottish regiment.
No.18
THE OXFORDSHIRE AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY - The second battalion of this regiment, which is the Oxfordshire battalion, was the first to be converted to a Light Infantry Regiment (see No. 21), and acquired the nickname, 'Light Bobs' later applied to other Light Infantry regiments. The Buckinghamshire battalion is a Territorial formation, and is the fourth battalion of the regiment. They have an impressive list of honours, starting with Quebec, 1759, and among the Great War honours shown here, is the uncommon 'Defence of Kut al Amara' .
No.19
THE ROYAL SCOTS GREYS - The Royal Scots Greys have been mounted on grey horses since 1700. They share the 'Bird-Catchers' nickname with the Royal Dragoons, having taken part in the great charge at Waterloo (see No. 22). A further distinction they share with the Royals is that of being the only Dragoon Regiments in the British Army. The regiment once had an amazing woman trooper who was wounded at Ramillies after taking part in many fights, and was buried with full Military Honours.
No.20
THE YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT - Both battalions of this regiment have earned the tiger which appears in their badge for Indian service, and share their nickname 'The Tigers' with the Leicestershire Regiment. Their battle honour, 'Arabia' is unique, and was awarded for service against the slave traders in the early part of last century. Twenty years in the Antipodes included service in the Maori War. The second battalion suffered tremendous loss in the Cawnpore massacre.
No.21
THE KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY - Light Infantry regiments were originally employed as skirmishers, marching 140 to the minute instead of 120, and being more lightly equipped. The honour of being converted into a Light Infantry regiment was conferred on the 51st Foot in 1809, and this regiment, which had been raised by the Lord Lieutenant of West Riding in 1756, was afterwards named The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Sir John Moore was an officer in the regiment.
No.22
THE ROYAL DRAGOONS - The Royal Dragoons are one of the oldest regiments in the army, dating from 1661, when they were formed to garrison the new British acquisition of Tangier. At Waterloo they captured the eagle of one of the French Regiments, an event now commemorated by the wearing of an eagle on the collar. On this account they are nicknamed 'The Bird-Catchers' . At Dettingen they captured the standard of the French Black Musketeers.
No.23
THE SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS - This famous Highland Regiment was raised in 1778 by the Earl of Seaforth and known as the 78th. Also raised by Lord Seaforth was the 2nd Highland Battalion in 1756. These two regiments were merged under the present title in 1881. They have very many years of service in the East and wear an elephant badge on the collar for Indian service. The 2nd Battalion possesses an additional 'Assaye' colour, awarded them by the Honorable East India Company.
No.24
GRENADIER GUARDS - The Grenadier Guards are the premier regiment of the Foot Guards, and with the other regiments of the Brigade are personally attendant on the King, and provide the guard at Buckingham Palace. They were raised among royalists abroad during the Commonwealth, and were held in great esteem by Charles II. The title 'Grenadier' was given them after Waterloo where they defeated Napoleon’s Imperial Guards. Their standard lies at the foot of the dead sovereign when the latter lies in state.