Joxford
Regular
68th Durham Light Infantry
History of the Faithful's
The 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1758 and amalgamated into The Durham Light Infantry in 1881. It saw action during the Seven Years' War before being converted to Light Infantry in 1808, fighting with distinction in the Peninsular Army under Arthur Wellesley. It would go on to fight with some distinction during the Crimean War, was present during the Indian Mutiny and the Maori Rebellion before returning to India between 1872 and 1888. It would become one of the battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in 1881, the other being the 106th Bombay Light Infantry.
68th Durham and the Seven Years' War
The regiment was raised by the redesignation of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Regiment of Foot on 22 April 1758, ranked as the 68th Regiment of Foot; it was considered the successor to a previous 68th Foot raised in 1745 and disbanded the following year by John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford. It was placed under the command of Colonel John Lambton and in May 1758 was stationed on the Isle of Wight during the Seven Years' War. The Regiment was part of the 14,000-strong army stationed on the island at the request of Britain's ally Frederick the Great of Prussia. This action consisted of descents upon the French coast to disturb privateers in the area, distract the French army and relieve pressure on Britain's allies, the Prussians. The first expedition anchored at Cancale Bay, near St Malo, and after pillaging that village and an attempt at taking Cherbourg returned on 1 July.
68th Durham and the Peninsular War
In 1811 the 68th went to Spain to share the fame of Wellington's army in The Peninsula, joining the newly formed 7th Division (The 'Mongrels').
After being present at the sieges of Badajoz and Cuidad Rodrigo the battalion advanced on Salamanca in June 1812. It took part in a vicious street-fight with the French at Moriscos is described byPrivate John Green. One Lt. Mackay received 22 bayonet wounds and survived.
On July 22 7 Division was attacked by Foy's Division from Marmont's Army. The 68th and 2nd Cacadores were ordered-out to repel the French Voltigeures.Early in the afternoon the 68th were relieved by the 95th. By 4 o'clock it was back with the 1st Brigade of the 7th Division; under the command of Bernewitz, when Wellington came to the front, pulled off his hat and they advanced against then broke three French Divisions.
Darkness brought the fighting to an end. The French suffered an overwhelming defeat where their losses of killed, wounded and taken prisoner totalled 20,000, compared with British losses of slightly over 5,000.
In August the 51st and the 68th were the first Regiments to march into Madrid, to great excitement. One the 13th August they assaulted a defended Fort, The Buen Retiro.
Ranks
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Enlisted
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Recruit (Rct)
Private (Pte)
Regular (Rgl)
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Non-Comissioned Officers
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Lance Corporal (LCpl)
Corporal (Cpl)
Serjeant (Sjt)
Colour Serjeant (CSjt)
Serjeant Major (SjtMaj)
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Commisioned Officers
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Ensign (Ens)
Lieutenant (Lt)
Captain (Cpt)
Major (Maj)
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)
Colonel (Col)
Enlisted
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Recruit (Rct)
Private (Pte)
Regular (Rgl)
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Non-Comissioned Officers
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Lance Corporal (LCpl)
Corporal (Cpl)
Serjeant (Sjt)
Colour Serjeant (CSjt)
Serjeant Major (SjtMaj)
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Commisioned Officers
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Ensign (Ens)
Lieutenant (Lt)
Captain (Cpt)
Major (Maj)
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)
Colonel (Col)
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