View source for 51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot

{{for|other units with the same regimental number|51st Regiment of Foot (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot
|image=
|caption=
|dates= 1755 to 1881
|country={{flag|Kingdom of Great Britain}} (1755–1800)<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}} (1801–1881)
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
|type=[[Infantry of the Line|Line Infantry]]
|role=
|size=One [[battalion]] (two battalions 1804–1814)
|garrison= [[Pontefract Barracks]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire]]
|ceremonial_chief=
|ceremonial_chief_label=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= "The Stormers"
|motto= ''Cede Nullis'' (Yield to None)
|colours=
|march= Quick: ''Jockey to the Fair''; Slow: ''The Keel Row''
|mascot=
|battles=[[Seven Years' War]]<br />[[French Revolutionary Wars]]<br />[[Kandyan Wars]]<br />[[Napoleonic Wars]]<br />[[Second Anglo-Burmese War]]<br />[[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]]<br />[[Ambela Campaign]]<br />[[Second Anglo-Afghan War]]
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot'''  was a [[British Army]] [[line infantry]] [[Regiment of Foot|regiment]], raised in 1755. Under the [[Childers Reforms]] it amalgamated with the [[105th Regiment of Foot (Madras Light Infantry)]] to form the [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]] in 1881.<ref>{{cite book|author=Harold Carmichael Wylly|author-link=H. C. Wylly|title=History of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Vol I, from 1755 to 1914|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FlHfAAAAMAAJ|year=1926|publisher=P. Lund, Humphries & Co.}}</ref><ref>Wickes, HL ''Regiments of Foot'' (1974) {{ISBN|0-85045-220-1}}</ref>
==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Sir John Moore (by Sir Thomas Lawrence) - original colors version.jpg|thumb|left|Lieutenant Colonel [[John Moore (British Army officer)|John Moore]], who was the regiment's commanding officer at the [[siege of Toulon]] in autumn 1793 and the [[siege of Calvi]] in July 1794. ''[[Portrait of Sir John Moore]]'' by [[Thomas Lawrence]]]]
[[File:Denkmal zur Erinnerung an die Schlacht bei Vellinghausen A1.jpg|thumb|Monument to the [[Battle of Villinghausen]] in July 1761]]
The regiment was formed by Lieutenant General [[Robert Napier (British Army officer, died 1766)|Robert Napier]] as the '''53rd (Napier's) Regiment of Foot''' in 1755 for service in the [[Seven Years' War]].<ref>{{cite web|title=51st (2nd West Riding Light Infantry)|url=http://www.51stlight.co.uk/|website=51stlight|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032822/http://www.51stlight.co.uk/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> The regiment started out in [[Exeter]] but was transferred to [[Leeds]] later in the same year. In the space of one month, 800 men had volunteered to serve for three years or as long as the country needed them to.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Knowles|first1=Lees|title=Minden and the Seven Years' War|date=1 August 1914|publisher=Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co|location=London|page=77|url=https://archive.org/stream/mindensevenyears00knowrich#page/76/mode/2up|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> It was re-ranked as the '''51st (Brudenell's) Regiment of Foot''', following the disbandment of the existing [[Shirley's Regiment|50th]] and [[Pepperrell's Regiment|51st]] regiments, in 1757.<ref>{{cite web|title=King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regimental Museum Archive|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/b4302157-1144-4cfa-9acc-d81d8a436022|website=National Archives|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> The regiment's first action was when it embarked on ships and took part in the [[Raid on Rochefort]] in September 1757 during the [[Seven Years' War]].<ref name=locations>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/051-1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223024910/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/051-1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2007|title=51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot: locations|publisher=Regiments.org|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
The regiment embarked for [[Germany]] in 1758 and saw action at the [[Battle of Minden]] in August 1759, the [[Battle of Corbach]] in July 1760 and the [[Battle of Warburg]] later that month as well as the [[Battle of Kloster Kampen]] in October 1760, the [[Battle of Villinghausen]] in July 1761 and the [[Battle of Wilhelmsthal]] in June 1762.<ref>{{cite web|title=51st Timeline|url=http://www.britisharmedforces.org/li_pages/regiments/koyli/kingyork_51sttl.htm|website=The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry|access-date=9 February 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After returning home in spring 1763, the regiment was posted for garrison duty in [[Ireland]] later in the year.<ref name=locations/> It embarked for [[Menorca]] in 1771 but was captured by a French invading force in January 1782 and only released five months later.<ref name=locations/> It adopted a county designation and became the '''51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment''' in August 1782.<ref>{{cite web|title=badge, headdress, British, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30070786|website=IWM|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>
The regiment embarked for [[Gibraltar]] in 1792 for service in the [[French Revolutionary Wars]], under the command of Lieutenant Colonel [[John Moore (British Army officer)|John Moore]], and took part in the [[siege of Toulon]] in autumn 1793 and the [[siege of Calvi]] in July 1794.<ref name=locations/>
===Napoleonic Wars===
In early 1800 the [[East Indiaman]] [[Earl Cornwallis (1783 ship)|''Earl Cornwallis'']], transported the regiment to [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], where it saw action in the [[Kandyan Wars]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding), or The King's Own Light Infantry Regiment|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/51st-2nd-yorkshire-west-riding-or-kings-own-light-infantry-regiment|website=nam|publisher=National Army Museum|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207132200/http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/51st-2nd-yorkshire-west-riding-or-kings-own-light-infantry-regiment|archive-date=7 February 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After returning home in 1807, it embarked for [[Portugal]] in October 1808 for service in the [[Peninsular War]] and saw action at the [[Battle of Corunna]] in January 1809 before being evacuated from the Peninsula.<ref name=locations/> It became a [[light infantry]] regiment as the '''51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)''' in May 1809.<ref name=regiments/> It then embarked for the [[Kingdom of Holland|Netherlands]] in summer 1809 and saw action in the disastrous [[Walcheren Campaign]].<ref name=locations/>
[[File:Badajoz Torre de Los Ahorcados.JPG|thumb|The Hangman's Tower at Badajoz, the objective of the siege by men from the regiment, in summer 1811]]
The regiment returned to the Portugal in 1811 and took part in the [[Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro]] in May 1811, the [[Second siege of Badajoz (1811)|second siege of Badajoz]] in summer 1811 and the [[Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1812)|siege of Ciudad Rodrigo]] in January 1812.<ref name=locations/> At Badajoz Ensign Joseph Dyas, a junior officer in the regiment, distinguished himself by twice leading the storming party on the San Cristobal Fort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.51stlight.co.uk/Dyas.html|title=Ensign John Dias|publisher=51st Light|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320230821/http://www.51stlight.co.uk/Dyas.html|archive-date=20 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The regiment went on to fight at the [[Battle of Salamanca]] in July 1812, the [[siege of Burgos]] in September 1812 and the [[Battle of Vitoria]] in June 1813.<ref name=locations/> It then pursued the French Army into France and fought at the [[Battle of the Pyrenees]] in July 1813, the [[Battle of Nivelle]] in November 1813 and the [[Battle of the Nive]] in December 1813 as well as the [[Battle of Orthez]] in February 1814.<ref name=locations/> It then returned to England in June 1814.<ref name=locations/> Following [[Napoleon]]'s escape from [[Elba]] in February 1815, it embarked for [[Ostend]] in March 1815 and fought at the [[Battle of Waterloo]] in June 1815.<ref name=":0" /> At Waterloo the regiment prevented 100 French [[cuirassier]]s from escaping the field of battle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://51stlight.co.uk/history%20of%20the%2051st.html|title=History of the 51st|publisher=51st Light|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103002415/http://51stlight.co.uk/history%20of%20the%2051st.html|archive-date=3 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===The Victorian era===
The regiment travelled to [[Australia]] in detachments as escorts to prisoners in 1837 and then moved on to [[India]] in 1846.<ref name=locations/> From there it was deployed to [[Myanmar|Burma]] and saw action at [[Bago, Myanmar|Pegu]] in 1852 during the [[Second Anglo-Burmese War]].<ref name=locations/> Although it returned to England in 1854, it was deployed to India again in 1857 to help suppress the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] and was still in India for the [[Ambela Campaign]] in 1863.<ref name=locations/> It was also from India that it was deployed to [[Afghanistan]] in autumn 1878 and saw action at the [[Battle of Ali Masjid]] in November 1878 during the [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]].<ref name=locations/>
As part of the [[Cardwell Reforms]] of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 51st was linked with the [[105th Regiment of Foot (Madras Light Infantry)]], and assigned to district no. 8 at [[Pontefract Barracks]] in the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]].<ref name=training>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210172841/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 February 2006|title=Training Depots|publisher=Regiments.org|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> On 1 July 1881 the [[Childers Reforms]] came into effect and the regiment amalgamated with the 105th Regiment of Foot (Madras Light Infantry) to form the [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Unit History|url=https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/262/kings-own-light-infantry/|website=Forces War Records|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>
==Battle honours==
Battle honours gained by the regiment were:<ref name = regiments/>
*Seven Years' War: [[Battle of Minden|Minden]]
*Peninsular War: [[Battle of Corunna|Corunna]], [[Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro|Fuentes de Oñoro]], [[Battle of Salamanca|Salamanca]], [[Battle of Vitoria|Vitoria]], [[Battle of the Pyrenees|Pyrenees]], [[Battle of Nivelle|Nivelle]], [[Battle of Orthes|Orthes]], Peninsula,
*Napoleonic Wars: [[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]]
*Second Anglo-Burmese War: [[Bago, Myanmar|Pegu]]
*Second Anglo-Afghan War: [[Battle of Ali Masjid|Ali Masjid]], Afghanistan 1878–80
==Notable members==
* [[George Steward Beatson]] – Surgeon
*[[James Fullarton]]
==Colonels of the Regiment==
Colonels of the regiment were:<ref name=regiments>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/051-757.htm |title=51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=16 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418094111/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/051-757.htm |archive-date=18 April 2007 }}</ref>
===53rd Regiment of Foot – (1755)===
*1755–1757: Lt-Gen. [[Robert Napier (British Army officer, died 1766)|Robert Napier]]
===51st Regiment of Foot – (1756)===
*1757–1767: Lt-Gen. Thomas Brudenell
*1767–1795: Gen. [[Archibald Montgomerie, 11th Earl of Eglinton]]
===51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot – (1782)===
*1795–1800: Lt-Gen. Anthony George Martin
*1800–1822: Gen. William Morshead
===51st (the 2nd Yorkshire West Riding) or The King's Own Light Infantry Regiment – (1821)===
*1822–1829: Gen. [[Sir Thomas Hislop, 1st Baronet]], GCB
*1829–1849: Lt-Gen. Sir [[Benjamin D'Urban|Benjamin d'Urban]], GCB, KCH
*1849–1862: Gen. [[Sir Thomas Willshire, 1st Baronet]], GCB
*1862–1874: Gen. Sir [[William Henry Elliott]], GCB, KH
*1874–1879: Gen. John Leslie Dennis, CB
*1879–1881: Gen. Arnold Charles Errington
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{The Rifles}}
{{Regiments of Foot}}
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in the West Riding of Yorkshire]]