652
MILITARY → (Contd.)
1st Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. The Times last month had the following:
...
4
Mr. H. B. Vaisey, Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle in a reserved judgment delivered at Church House, Westminster, refused the application for a faculty authorizing removal of old colours of the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment, now the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment, from Kendal Parish Church, where they are now, to the Keep of Carlisle Castle, where a collection of objects of interest relating to the regiment has recently been formed.
The petition was made by Major-General E. G. Sinclair-Maclagan, Colonel of the Border Regiment, and Major P. J. Shears, Officer Commanding the Depot of the Regiment.
It was opposed by the vicar and churchwardens of Kendal and by the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Kendal.
Mr. Vaisey said that the insignia in the church consisted of five sets of regimental colours, and a very notable trophy of battle, a Chinese Imperial Standard emblazoned with a dragon.
Referring to incidents in the history of the regiment, he said that there was a famous occasion in 1814 when the colours of the regiment were saved from capture at Bergen-op-Zoom only by being wrapped round the bodies of the two ensigns who were carrying them. Another memorable event was the capture of the Dragon Standard at Ting-Hai in the year 1841.
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The attack on Tinghai was launched on the early morning of October 1, 1841, and one of the warships engaged was H.M.S. Nemesis, one of whose officers was Lieut. William Pedder, our first Harbour Master (see 11-7-33). The report states that the firing of the steamers which covered the landing was kept up with so much precision, that more than one of the Chinese standard-bearers, who boldly advanced alone to the crest of the hill, waving their flags, were cut into by a 32 pounder shot, just as if they had been aimed at with a rifle.
The two flanks and the third companies of the 55th Regiment being first on shore, received a smart fire from the Chinese, who up to this time, had kept themselves pretty well sheltered; and, as the remainder of the regiment followed close after the leading companies, and the 18th Royal Irish was not far behind, the advance was instantly sounded, and the 55th pushed up the hill, under the gallant Major Fawcett.
The Chinese waved to them to come on, and opened a smart fire as they struggled up the steep hill, and knocked down several of the men. It was an exciting spectacle to watch them ascending the hill, while the ships continued firing until they reached the summit; and even then the Chinese showed no want of courage, so that the spear and the bayonet frequently crossed each other.
At length the Chinese were routed; and the hill, being now in British possession, gave the command of all the enemy's positions, which by this means were fairly turned. In this encounter, the first Chinese colours were taken by Lieutenant Butter, of the 55th Regiment.
It is also recorded that the 55th Regiment lost two killed (including one officer, Ensign Duell) and nineteen wounded, a number of them severely.
Among those directing this campaign was Sir Henry Pottinger, who later became one of the early administrators of the Colony.
652
MILITARY → (Contd.)
ist Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. The Time's last month had the following:
...
4
Mr. H. B. Vaisey, Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle in a reserved judgment delivered at Church House, Westminster, refused the application for a faculty authorizing removal of old colours of the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment, now the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment, from Kendal Parish Church, where they are now, to the Keep of Carlisle Castle, where a collection of objects of interst relating to the regiment has recently been formed.
The petition was made by Major-General E. G. Sinclair- Maclagan, ColoheJoof the Border Regiment, and Major P. J. Shears, Officer Commanding the Depot of the Regiment.
It was opposed by the vicar and churchwardens of Kendal and by the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Kendal.
Mr. Vaisey said that the insignia in the church consisted of five sets of regimental colours, and a very notable trophy of battle a Chinese Imperial Standard emblazoned with a dragon.
devally
Referring to incidents in the history of the regiment, he said that there was a famous occasion in 1814 when the colours of the regiment were saved from capture at Bergen- op-Zoom only by being wrapped round the bodies of the two ensigns who were carrying them... Another memorable event was the capture of the Dragon Standard.at Ting-Hai in the year 1841.
7
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*
The
And now for the details which the old chronicles give us. attack on Tinghai was launched on the early morning of October 1, 1841, and one of the warships engaged was H.M.S. Nemesis, one of whose officers was Lieut. William Pedder, our first Harbour Master (see 11-7-33). The report states that the firing of the steamers which covered the landing was kept up with so much precision, that more than one of the Chinese standard-bearers, who boldly advanced alone to the crest of the hill, waving their flags, were cut into to by a 32 pounder shot, just as if they had been aimed at with a rifle. The two flanks and the third companies of the 55th Regiment being first on shore, received a smart fire from the Chinese, who up to this time, had kept themselves pretty well sheltered; and, as the remainder of the regiment followed close after the leading companies, and the 18th Royal Irish was not far behing, the advance was instantly sounded, and the 55th pushed up the hill, under the gallant Major Fawcett.
The Chinese waved to them to come on, and opened a smart fire as they struggled up the steep hill, and knocked down several of the men. It was an exciting spectacle to watch them ascending the hill, while the ships continued firing until they reached the summit; and even then the Chines showed no want of courage, so that the spear and the bayonet frequently crossed each other.
At length the Chinese were routed; and the hill, being now 1. British possession, gave the command of all the enemy's positions, which by this méans, were fairly turned. In this encounter, the first Chinese colours were taken by Lieutenant Butter, of the 55th Reiment.
It is also recorded that the 55th Regiment lost two killed (including one officer, Ensign Duell) and nineteen wounded, a number of them severly.
Among those directing this campaign was Sir Henry Pottinger, who later became one of the early administrators of the Colony.
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