Raised in 1689, and was present at the battle of Dettingen, where King George II. commanded in person. The King was at one time hotly pressed by the French cavalry, when a detachment formed round him under an oak tree and drove the enemy away. The King plucked a leaf off the tree and, handing it to the commander, desired the regiment to wear it in memory of their gallant conduct. The oakleaf is now worn in the head-dress, and on the colours on September 12th, and on ceremonial parades. In 1795 it recruited its ranks with poorhouse boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Amongst the boys who joined was John Shipp, an orphan, who performed the unique feat of twice winning a commission from the ranks before he was thirty years old, for conspicuous bravery in the field. In 1843 it formed part of the force under Sir Charles Napier which destroyed the Indian desert stronghold of Emaun Ghur—an enterprise characterised as one of the most curious and dangerous military feats ever known.

Nicknames: The "Two Twos"; also in 1795 the "Red Knights," from being served out with all red clothing; also known as the "Lightning Conductors."