BATTLE HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN NORTHERN EUROPE, 1743-1762

Dettingen—Minden—Emsdorff—Warburg—Wilhelmstahl.

-

Dettingen, June 27, 1743.

This battle honour is now borne by the following regiments:

1st Life Guards.
2nd Life Guards.
Royal Horse Guards.
1st King's Dragoon Guards.
7th Dragoon Guards.
1st Royal Dragoons.
Scots Greys.
3rd Hussars.
4th Hussars.
6th Inniskillings.
7th Hussars.
Grenadier Guards.
Coldstream Guards.
Scots Guards.
Buffs.
King's Liverpool Regiment.
Devons.
Suffolk.
Somerset Light Infantry.
Lancashire Fusiliers.
Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
East Surrey.
Cornwall Light Infantry.
West Riding Regiment.
Hampshire.

It commemorates the last battle in which a King of England was present in person, the last in which the Order of Knighthood was conferred on the field. The actual command was in the hands of the veteran Earl of Stair, a soldier who had learned the art of war under Marlborough. He had commanded a brigade at Ramillies, and served on the great commander's staff at Blenheim, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet.

We were fighting in support of the claims of Maria Theresa to the throne of Austria. France, on the other hand, was supporting those of the House of Bavaria. Side by side with our own men fought the armies of Austria and Hanover. The field of battle was on the banks of the Main, midway between Darmstadt and Frankfort, hard by the village of Aschaffenburg, where, in the "Seven Weeks' War," the Prussians gained one of their many successes over the Germans of the Southern States. At Dettingen the brunt of the fighting fell on the British, whose losses far exceeded the combined casualties of the allies, the principal sufferers being the 3rd Dragoons, all their officers but two, and more than half their men, being killed or wounded. The heroism of Trooper Brown of this regiment has been handed down to this day, and King George, recognizing his valour, dubbed him Knight-Banneret at the close of the fight, the Commander-in-Chief (the Earl of Stair), and the Honourable J. Campbell, Colonel of the Scots Greys, being similarly honoured. Brown's deed is recorded in the regimental history, but it is little known outside the ranks of what is now the 3rd King's Own Hussars. Three times did this gallant regiment charge into the French massed infantry, outnumbering them four to one; thrice did they overthrow the enemy's horse. Their standards had been torn to ribbons, the staves shot through and riddled. At the close of one charge a colour fell from a dead Cornet's hand and lay abandoned on the ground. Trooper Brown dismounted to recover it, and, as he regained the saddle, a French trooper with a sabre-cut disabled his bridle-hand. His horse bolted with him into the midst of the French army, when the colour was torn from his grasp and borne away by a gendarme. Wounded and faint, but with the lust of battle strong upon him, the dragoon rallied to his flag, cut down the triumphant captor, then, gripping the broken staff between knee and saddle, bore it in safety to the skeleton squadrons of his own corps. Historians ridicule the part played by King George on the field of Dettingen, but we may rely upon it that the British army appreciated the kingly action when, at the close of the day, veteran Field-Marshal and wounded dragoon alike received from their Sovereign the accolade of honour. In these prosaic days the prosperous tradesman receives the knighthood, the wounded dragoon is relegated to the workhouse.

Casualties at the Battle of Dettingen, June 27, 1743.

Minden, August 1, 1759.

The following six regiments bear this honour:

Suffolks.
Lancashire Fusiliers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Hampshire.
King's Own Yorkshire L.I.

As at Dettingen, so at Minden, the British troops were acting in support of foreign allies. At the former we were supporting the cause of Austria against France, at the latter we were assisting Frederick the Great in his campaign against the combined forces of France and Austria. Our troops were under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, whose rÔle it was to prevent Hanover (then an appanage of the British Crown) from being overrun by the French. In addition to the above regiments, there were present fifteen squadrons of English cavalry under Lord George Sackville, and four batteries of artillery under Captains Foy, Phillips, Drummond, and MacBean. The fruits of the victory and the glory of the day were marred by the inaction of the British cavalry, due to the supineness or something worse of Lord George Sackville. The feature was the majestic advance of the British infantry under Brigadiers Waldegrave and Kingsley, and the magnificent manner in which the four batteries of artillery followed the retreating French, converting an orderly retirement into a disorderly rout.

Casualties at Minden.

On the morning after the battle Prince Ferdinand addressed a personal letter to Captain MacBean of the "Royal British Artillery," in which he said: "It is to you and your brigade that I am indebted for having silenced the fire of a battery of the enemy, which extremely galled the troops."

Still further to show his appreciation of the services of the Royal Artillery, the Prince ordered the Paymaster-General to hand 1,000 crowns to Captain Phillips, and 500 each to Captain MacBean, Drummond, Williams, and Foy, for distribution amongst their men.

Concerning the Marquis of Granby, he wrote: "Had he (Lord Granby) been at the head of the cavalry of the Royal King, his presence would, I am persuaded, have greatly contributed to have made our success more complete and more brilliant."

Emsdorff, July 16, 1760.

This distinction is borne only by the

15th Hussars,

and commemorates their association with a body of German troops in Prince Ferdinand's campaign against the French, the opening action of which was Minden. A French division, consisting of six battalions with a regiment of hussars, was surprised by a force of similar strength under Prince Ferdinand, and by sundown the "King's" Hussars had gained for the Allies a glorious victory. It was to the 15th, and to the 15th alone, that the credit of the day was due. It was their baptÊme de feu, and well may they pride themselves on their conduct at Emsdorff. Their gallantry was the theme of the whole army, and the recollection of it has stood them in good stead on many a hard-fought field. As Fortescue so generously writes: "The traditions of charging home remained with the regiment, and doubtless remains with it to this day."

In his official despatch Prince Ferdinand bears high testimony to the very distinguished services rendered by the 15th. After describing the action and the conduct of the troops generally, the Prince wrote: "Particularly to Eliott's regiment, which was allowed by everybody present to have done wonders.

"H.S.H. the Prince could not enough commend to the Duke the bravery, good conduct, and good countenance, with which that regiment fought."

In addition to the 15th, a regiment of Hanoverian cavalry and five battalions of Hanoverian infantry were engaged at Emsdorff, their total casualties being 8 men killed, 2 officers and 52 men wounded. The total losses of the French were never ascertained, but that evening the prisoners numbered 2 Generals and 177 other officers, with 2,482 non-commissioned officers and men, whilst 9 stand of colours and 5 guns remained in our hands. The 15th have good reason to be proud of the battle honour "Emsdorff." Their casualties were 2 officers and 73 non-commissioned officers and men killed, 2 officers and 48 of other ranks wounded, their casualties in horses being 168 killed and wounded.

Warburg, July 31, 1760.

It was not until the close of the year 1909, just 150 years after the battle, that the cavalry regiments which took part in this brilliant action were authorized to bear on their colours and appointments the battle honour "Warburg." Why the infantry regiments which bore the brunt of the fighting should be denied this distinction is not for me to tell. The regiments now honoured are the

Royal Horse Guards.
King's Dragoon Guards.
Queen's Bays.
3rd Dragoon Guards.
Carabiniers.
7th Dragoon Guards.
1st Royal Dragoons.
Scots Greys.
Inniskillings.
7th Hussars.
10th Hussars.
11th Hussars.

At Emsdorff, just a fortnight previously, the 15th Hussars had nobly retrieved the slur which had been cast on the British cavalry owing to the unfortunate behaviour of Lord George Sackville at Minden. At Warburg the mass of the cavalry under Lord Granby had an opportunity of showing that they were by no means behind the 15th in dash or steadiness. De Muy, the French Commander, occupied a very strong position in a bend of the River Diemel. His right resting on the village of Warburg. The British infantry, consisting of one brigade of four battalions under the command of Colonel Beckwith of Kingsley's Regiment (now the Lancashire Fusiliers) attacked in two columns. The right, under Major Maxwell of the Lancashire Fusiliers, consisted of the Grenadier companies of the Suffolks, Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Scottish Borderers, 37th (Hampshire), and 51st (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry). On its outer flank was the Heavy Cavalry Brigade under Lord Granby. The left infantry column was under Major Daulhat of the West Riding Regiment; this comprised the flank companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the King's Liverpool Regiment, the Devons, the South Wales Borderers, the 33rd (West Riding Regiment), and the 50th (West Kent). On Daulhat's left were the light cavalry under General Mostyn, the 7th Hussars leading. In support came the two regiments of Highlanders, Keith's and Campbell's.[3] Between the two infantry columns were three troops of Horse Artillery, under Captains Phillips, MacBean, and Stephens; these earned Prince Ferdinand's highest praise for their dash and the accuracy of their fire. Some delay occurred in supporting the attack of the British infantry, who alone sustained the early stages of the action; and the Prince ordered Lord Granby to move round the rear of the columns and press home an attack on the French right rear. Granby was a different stamp of leader to Lord George Sackville. Two hours at the trot brought him within striking distance of the French. Then, forming his six regiments of heavy cavalry in two brigades, and supporting them with Mostyn's Light Dragoons, charged straight home. The French never waited the attack, save three squadrons which stood firm and which were cut to pieces. The main portion of the French cavalry turned and fled. Ordering Mostyn to follow these up, Granby (always well to the front) wheeled the heavies to the right, and threw himself on the right rear of De Muy's infantry. These, like the cavalry, broke, throwing down their arms and making for the ford across the Diemel in their rear. Our artillery now came up at the gallop, and effectually prevented any attempt at reforming on the part of the beaten foe. The loss in our cavalry was trifling. That of the French amounted to nearly 8,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners, whilst 12 guns remained in our hands as trophies of war at Warburg.

Casualties at Warburg.

For his services at Minden, Major Daulhat was given the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 51st (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), and his battalion of Grenadiers was placed under Major Welsh, of the 11th (Devons), who commanded it at Wilhelmstahl.

In his official report of the action to King George, Prince Ferdinand wrote:

"The English artillery got up at a gallop and seconded the attack in the most spirited manner. All the troops have done well, and particularly the English."

---

"The loss on our side is very numerous, and falls chiefly upon the brave battalions of Maxwell's Grenadiers, which did wonders. Colonel Beckwith, who commanded the Brigade of English Grenadiers and Scotch Highlanders, distinguished himself greatly, and is badly wounded in the head. My Lord Granby with the English cavalry contributed extremely to the success of the day."

This casualty return exemplifies the lack of system in the method of distributing battle honours. The losses in the cavalry amounted to 129 killed and wounded, in the infantry to 376, yet the latter have no "distinction" to show the part they played at Warburg.

Wilhelmstahl, June 24, 1762.

The Northumberland Fusiliers

is the only regiment authorized to bear this honour; but here, as in so many other instances, it is difficult to understand why one regiment should be singled out for a battle honour to the exclusion of others which have borne an equally meritorious part in the same engagement.

Wilhelmstahl was one of the closing actions in Prince Ferdinand's campaigns. As at Warburg, the Valley of the Diemel was the scene of the fight, and, as at Warburg, the honours of the day rested with the English. The French, some 70,000 strong, had their right resting on the forest of Rheinhardswald, with their headquarters at the village of Wilhelmstahl. Ferdinand detached Generals Luckner and Sporcke to attack the flank of the enemy, whilst he with the ten battalions of English infantry—some Brunswickers and Hessians—supported by Lord Granby's cavalry, made a direct attack on their front. With the other columns I have no concern. That under the personal command of the Prince consisted of the three battalions of the Brigade of Guards—one of Grenadiers, one of the Coldstreams, and one of the Scots Guards; a brigade under Colonel Beckwith, of the 20th (Lancashire Fusiliers), comprising a composite battalion, made up of the flank companies of the Brigade of Guards, a second battalion of the grenadier companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the 8th (King's), 11th (Devons), 24th (South Wales Borderers), the 33rd (West Riding Regiment), and the 50th (Royal West Kent), commanded by Major Welsh, of the Devons. The third battalion in Beckwith's brigade was under Major Maxwell, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, and was made up of the flank companies of the Suffolks, Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, 37th (Hampshire Regiment), and the 51st (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry). The 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers), 8th (King's Liverpool Regiment), and the two Highland regiments of Keith and Campbell (then the 87th and 88th), completed the English portion of Prince Ferdinand's column.

The combined movement was well executed. The central column was in presence of the enemy before they had the least apprehension of being attacked. Finding themselves threatened in front, flank, and rear, they struck their tents and fell back in some confusion. Prince Ferdinand, to quote an officer who was present, "pursued and pressed upon them as close as possible. They would have been entirely routed had not Monsieur de Stainville thrown himself forward with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, and the Regiment of Aquitaine (the flower of the French infantry), to cover their retreat. His resolution cost him dear, his whole infantry having been either killed or dispersed after a very gallant defence. Two battalions only succeeded in escaping. Some of these troops surrendered to Lord Granby's cavalry, and when the infantry came up, the remainder, after one fire, laid down their arms to the 5th Fusiliers, having been driven out of the forest at the point of the bayonet by Beckwith's Grenadiers." Amongst the prisoners taken were 58 officers of the Grenadiers of France, 38 of the Royal Grenadiers, and 22 of the Regiment of Aquitaine, "the flower of the French army." In all 162 officers and 2,570 men.

In his official despatch Prince Ferdinand wrote:

"All the troops behaved exceedingly well, and showed great zeal and willingness, but particularly the battalions of Grenadiers belonging to Colonel Beckwith's brigade, which distinguished themselves exceedingly."

Casualties at Wilhelmstahl.

An artillery officer who was present wrote of the battle:

"They [the French] were fairly surprised, and our troops behaved with a bravery not to be paralleled in history, especially our Grenadiers and Highlanders, who sent prisoners, I dare say, more than double their own numbers out of the forest. The 5th Regiment behaved nobly, and took prisoners about twice their own number. We had the misfortune to lose Lieutenant Cock (an officer of our regiment, and as pretty an officer as any in the army) by a cannon-shot, which took off his head."

The casualties in the British regiments amounted to 54 killed and 249 wounded; those of the allies, only to 144 killed and wounded.

The surrender of the French Grenadiers to the old "Fighting Fifth" is commemorated by the Fusilier or, rather Grenadier, cap, which at one time was worn only by the Northumberland Fusiliers. Now, however, all Fusilier regiments share this honour with the Northumberlands.

Studying the above list in conjunction with Prince Ferdinand's despatch gives rise to the question, Why should the Northumberland Fusiliers alone bear the battle honour "Wilhelmstahl"?

---