Cigarette Cards
Army Badges
Nos. 25-48
No.25
SCOTS GUARDS - The original 'Scotch Guards' as they were sometimes called, were raised by Charles I, in 1639 and saw service in Ireland shortly afterwards. Their headquarters were established in London in 1715 and have been there ever since. Their battle honours indicate their historical record, which includes Dettingen, the Peninsular War, Waterloo, the Crimean and Boer Wars. They rank third in order among the Foot Guards, the premier body of infantry in the British Army.
No.26
ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES - 'The Royal Irish Rifles' was the original name of this regiment, formed in 1831 by the amalgamation of two county regiments, each raised in 1793. As with all rifle regiments they carry no colours but wear their battle honours on their badges and appointments. Another common characteristic of these regiments is their dark green uniforms. The Royal Ulster’s honours indicate service in India, South Africa, Spain at two different periods each, and a long succession of battles in the Peninsula War.
No.27
THE ROYAL SCOTS - This ancient regiment has a direct personal connection with the Garde Ecossaise, established by Charles III of France. After many historic vicissitudes they came to England for the Restoration, and became the 1st Foot in 1678. On account of the extreme antiquity of their origin, they are known as 'Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard'. Their list of battle honours starts with Tangier in 1680, and totals ninety-nine names. Thirty five battalions of them served during the War.
No.28
THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS - The stag seen in the badge aptly symbolises the district where Robin Hood is reputed to have carried on his good work. The Nottinghamshire Regiment was raised in 1778 on the basis of the Nottinghamshire Militia and the old 45th, which had been thirty years abroad. The second battalion is the Derbyshire part of the regiment, and was raised as the 95th, in 1824. Their nickname, 'the Hosiers' indicates one of the great industries of their locality.
No.29
THE ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT - After coming to England with William of Orange in 1688, this regiment was established as the 6th Foot, and came to be known as the 'Saucy Sixth.’ Their association with Warwickshire dates back aboat 150 years. The antelope which precedes them on parade commemorates their great victory at Almanza, where amongst other great captures, they secured a Moorish flag, bearing the figure of an antelope. In 1935 new colours were presented to them by H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester.
No.30
THE ROYAL FUSILIERS - This famous London regiment was founded in 1685 by James II. They were the first regiment to be equipped with fusils, and their function was to protect the ordnance of the time. Many of their early recruits came from the celebrated London Train Bands, and they have the privilege of marching through the City with fixed bayonets, flying colours and drums beating. Their honours show a long record of service dating from Namur, 1695.
No.31
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT -'The Pump and Tortoise Brigade' is the delightful nickname of the South Staffordshire Regiment. Their badge consists of the old Stafford knot. For many years the regiment endured the most disgraceful neglect in British history being almont forgotten while on service in the West Indies. Their uniforms were in rags and their muskets fifty years old. Their officers were once left unpaid for seven years. Brown canvas is now a part of their uniform to symbolise their one-time poverty.
No.32
THE GREEN HOWARDS - The late Queen Alexandra herself designed the badge shown here, which bears her name. In 1881 the regiment had become Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own (Yorkshire Regiment) and it was not until after the War that its popular name. The Green Howards, became the official title. They were raised in Devonshire in 1688, but their association with Yorkshire is of very long standing. Alma was one of their greatest battles, and their colour is trooped on the anniversary of that day.
No. 33
THE ROYAL TANK CORPS - The first appearance of Tanks was at the battle of the Somme, in July 1916. The Corps was then known as the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps. Their record of service during the War was one of the most stirring of any formation, and they have built up a tradition of gallantry in the field which is attested by the number of decorations awarded to members of the Corps during the War. The Royal Tank Corps was established under its present title in 1922, and consists of six battalions, apart from Armoured Car and Light Tank units.
No. 34
THE ROYAL ENGINEERS - 'Measurers,' 'Mounted Bricklayers,' 'Mudlarks' all give the soldier's irreverent interpretation of the invaluable services of the Royal Engineers. They have a long and distinguished history, stretching over 250 years, but it is, of course, modern warfare that relies so enormously on the Engineers. They have always been the most far-sighted and progressive section of the Army, and men such as Kitchener, Gordon and Napier have been among their officers. They share with their constant companions, the Royal Artillery, the motto 'Ubique'.
No. 35
THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT - The horse which forms the badge of this regiment is the white horse of Hanover, awarded them by George III. They have been associated with many counties during their 250 years career, and were given their Yorkshire name in the reforms of 1881. They became the Prince of Wales' Own in 1876, thus acquiring the nickname of the 'Pawns'. Thirty-one battalions served during the War, and the eighth was in 1918 awarded the Croix de Guerre by France, whose practise it is to award honours to whole regiments.
No. 36
THE ROYAL ARTILLERY - The history of this great regiment is the history of Britain at war, for it must serve in every battle. The impossibility of awarding them sufficient battle honours lead to the appropriate motto 'Ubique' (everywhere) being given to them as seen in their badge. After centuries of service in different forms, the Royal regiment of Artillery was established in 1716, with headquarters at Woolwich. They are known as 'The Gunners' and the Royal Horse Artillery as 'The Galloping Gunners'.
No. 37
THE BEDFORDSHIRE & HERTSFORDSHIRE REGIMENT - The Bedfordshire and Hertsfordshire Regiment only acquired that title in 1919, when the previous Bedfordshire Regiment was merged with the Hertfordshires from the Territorial Army. It shares with the Leicestershire Regiment the distinction of having been raised by William III, in 1688, these two being the only two remaining of twelve raised simultaneously. They served as Marines at Cartagena. 'The Featherbeds' is a nickname which might be expected to arise from an abbreviation of their official title.
No. 38
THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT - The 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment was raised in 1740, and the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment fifteen years later. Both of these won great glory at Talavera, the castle and key seen in the badge being awarded to the Rutlandshires, who form the second battalion of the present Northamptonshire Regiment, for their defence of the city. Their battle honours start with Louisburg, show much service in the West Indies, and include the unusual 'New Zealand'.
No. 39
THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT - The Badge gives the Leicestershire Regiment their nickname of 'The Tigers', a name which came to be applied to the famous local Rugby Football Club. The tiger and the word 'Hindoostan' were awarded for long and gallant service in India. They were the first of twelve regiments established by William III, in 1688, of which they and the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment are the sole survivors (see No. 37). Their 250th anniversary was celebrated a few months ago.
No. 40
THE WILTSHIRE REGIMENT - The Wiltshire Regiment came into existence as the second battalion of the King's Own Royal Regiment (see No. 1), but two years later, in 1758, became the 62nd Foot. Their association with Wiltshire began a few years afterwards. Their nickname, 'The Moonrakers' originated from their being discovered raking out a pond on a dark night, looking for smuggled brandy kegs. The second battalion, dating from 1824, brought the battle honour 'New Zealand' to the regiment.
No. 41
THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSELIERS - A distinguished history and many ancient traditions belong to the Northumberland FusilierS. Formed in 1674 they were at first officered by Irish gentlemen. Their first battle honour is Wilhelmstahl, where they defeated the French grenadiers in 1762, an honour carried by no other regiment. They came to be regarded as the typical English regiment, wearing a rose in their head-dress on St. George’s Day. In the Great War fifty-two battalions of them served, which is the record figure.
No. 42
THE KINGS REGIMENT - Formed in 1685 as 'Princess Anne of Denmark's Regiment' and later becoming the 'Queen's Regiment' under Anne, the regiment finally became 'The King's' at the accession of George I. The horse which forms the badge is the white horse of Hanover, which no other badge shows in a prancing position. The second battalion of this regiment evolved into a separate unit, and 150 years later, during the Boer War, became the first battalion of the Manchester Regiment.
No.43
10th ROYAL HUSSARS - After having been known as the 10th Dragoons since 1715, this regiment was the first in the British Army to become a Hussar regiment in 1806. Their great services in the Peninsula campaign earned them the 'Royal' in their name, and the single-battle honour 'Peninsula' stands for a brilliant record. During this campaign also, their charge at Benevente helped to cover Moore's retreat to Corunna. Two years ago, together with other cavalry regiments, they became an Armoured Car unit, (See also No. 48.)
No.44
THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT - Like the West Yorkshire Regiment (see No. 35) and many others, this regiment was formed by James II in 1685, becoming the Yorkshire (East Riding) Regiment in 1782. It served under Wolfe at the capture of Quebec, and holds its 'Regimental Day' on the anniversary. Their nickname, 'The Snappers' dates from an incident in the American War. A body of men who were surrounded and had no ammunition, kept the enemy away by snapping the locks of their empty muskets.
No.45
THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT - This historic county regiment was formed in 1685, and its connection with Lincolnshire was recorded in the name a hundred years later. The regimental tune is the famous 'Lincolnshire Poacher' and provides their nickname, 'The Poachers.' Their service in Africa under Lord Kitchener earned them the Sphinx, so prominent in their badge. 'Blenheim' , 'Ramillies', 'Oudenarde', 'Malplaquet', among their honours indicate their great fighting record under Marlborough.
No.46
THE 3rd CARABINIERS - As with so many famous regiments of the modern army, the 3rd Carabiniers are a post-war merger of two historical regiments, the 3rd and the 6th Dragoon Guards. The former were raised as the Earl of Plymouth's Horse in 1685 and became the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards under George III, eighty years later. Also raised in 1685, the 6th Dragoon Guards were not styled Carabiniers until carbines had actually been discarded.
No.47
THE KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS - Six Acts of Parliament were necessary in the formation of this, the first rifle regiment in the army. It was raised in North America in 1755 as the 62nd Loyal American Provincials and was used by Wolfe. The superiority of their weapons to the smooth bore guns of their early contemporaries was very marked, and they served almost everywhere, acquiring the longest list of honours in the army which they carry on their badge as illustrated.
No.48
THE QUEENS BAYS - This famous regiment was established in 1685 as the 3rd Horse. In 1762 it was mounted throughout on bay horses; and acquired its present title. The original Queen referred to was Queen Caroline, whose cypher is carried on their standard. Like so many cavalry regiments they have lost their horses and have been an armoured car unit for two years or more. The great actor Garrick once held a commission in the regiment.