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BRITISH INFANTRY REGIMENTS (1)
No. 29. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Drummer: Full Dress with Wilhelmstahl Colour
Fusilier: Gulf Combat Dress with Milan Anti-tank Weapon
Background: Desert Scene with Warrior APC
From a watercolour painting by William R. Younghusband
Postcard No. 29 THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
Although the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was formed as recently as
1968, its four former regiments came into being three hundred years
earlier. The first to be formed were the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
(5th Foot) and the Warwickshire Regiment (6th Foot) in 1674. In 1685 the
Royal Fusiliers (7th Foot) were formed in the Tower of London and the
close connections between the Regiment and the City of London dates from
then. The formation of the Lancashire Fusiliers (20th) in 1688 completed
the roll call.
The Drummer, in Full Dress, is shown here with the Wilhelmstahl Colour. On
24th June 1762, in the woods at Wilhelmstahl, Germany, 3,000 officers and
men of the French Army, complete with a Standard, six Colours, and two
cannon, surrendered to the 5th Foot. To commemorate this victory, a
standard was carried as a third or Drummer's Colour. Royal sanction 'to
bear a commemorative banner' only on 'St. George's Day' was finally
granted by HM King George V in 1933. This unique tradition has been
inherited by The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
The 3rd Battalion served with the 4th Armoured Brigade in the Gulf War.
The Fusilier wears desert camouflage combat clothing with the black Desert
Rat sign of the 4th Brigade on his right sleeve. Beside him is a Milan
anti-tank missile launcher. Milan is a one-man weapon, but in action it is
served by a two or three man team with the 'extras' carrying additional
missiles. These are wire guided to the target.
The background shows a typical desert scene with infantry deploying from a
Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier.
Published 1991
Copyright © 1991 Published by Geoff White Ltd.
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