33rd Foot

Great to see the 33rd Foot in this site. One thing that might need attention is that the 33rd (First West Riding of Yorkshire) Regt of Foot had only a single battalion throughout the war so would not have had a 1st Battalion title.
Also, if later muster lists are anything to go on, although it had several officers from Anglo-Irish and Scottish gentry it apparantly only had a handful of lrish recruits (un-usually for a foot regiment in the British army.) It had the vast majority of its recruits from England , many from West Yorkshire textile areas, and other areas such as Notts and Lancs which were connected with textile trades... a lot of these formerly skilled workers pushed out of their livelihoods by the new Industrialisation.
Unit did however recieve an influx of a hundred 'German' recruits in 1814 which probably included various nationalities from the Baltic Coast. They were apparantly 'pressed' men and suffered from a high desertion rate, though around half a dozen were still around for the Waterloo campaign.
One distintive recruit was Pvt John Lewis Friday who was a black soldier who fought as a soldier in a company rather than being a bandsman, drummer or pioneer as was the common lot of many black soldiers.

A single battalion regiment? Unusual, that. *files that tidbit of information away*

And yes, I know that historically the 33rd weren't involved in the Peninsula. Not their fault, of course. A little Alternative Universe is a wonderful thing...

If you're going to make a character in the Havercakes, beware: We do have a Sergeant Hakeswill around, and he does show up to cause maximum chaos. When he can, or when the game calls for it.

One battalion regiments were surprisingly common, I recently saw a list of regiments around the time of the Napoleonic Wars and there were at least 20 with only 1 battalion. It was less likely on the continent though certainly.

I'm obviously thinking of something else, or much later on in the war. *shrugs*

Never let it be said I couldn't learn stuff.

Sharpiefan wrote:
And yes, I know that historically the 33rd weren't involved in the Peninsula. Not their fault, of course. A little Alternative Universe is a wonderful thing...

Not quite right, arguably the 33rd did more to win the Peninsula War than any other unit !
Their Colonel took part in most of the Peninsula Campaigns up to 1813 (Wellesley/Wellington before he took the RHG Colonel post offered to him by Royalty.. also I believe at least one 33rd officer was on his staff for a while ).

For B.C. fans.. the 33rd also contributed heavily to Wellington's Peninsula victories by making Richard Sharpe a soldier and later an NCO , putting him on the ladder to success !

And as a bit of related trivia, the 33rd's light infantry were among the best during the American Revolution.

^__^

Keiju wrote:And as a bit of related trivia, the 33rd's light infantry were among the best during the American Revolution.

^__^

Indeed the whole unit could operate effectively in open order during the AWI at a time when this training and concept was only just starting to dawn in the minds of Regular officers again. It was acknowledged as a good, effective Regt by diary writers from other units .. indeed it acquired the nickname 'The Pattern' in this period as it was supposedly what a regt should be in training, organisation and performance.

Given the Regiment's location in Spain in StC, this means that the army's CinC, the unit's Colonel, has the power to appoint or ratify (or overule ) positions within the 33rd Foot.

Few bits of extra 'chrome', re the unit.

I recall reading that some of the 33rd got into fights with soldiers from other units who taunted them (with a falsehood) that they had no actual facing colour as their original facing colour was removed as a punishment after the Regiment disgraced itself through cowardice during a battle !

One ranker (who fought at Seringapatan) and survived Waterloo, Pvt John Riches, might well be an acquaintaince of Richard Sharpe.

Good guide to later uniform in 33rd Foot re-enactment forum
http://www.33rdfoot.co.uk

The 33rd was to show some aspects of the old 'family' system that characterised some ranker to officer type promotions in 19th C units , but which became rarer outside Highland units as a new century, and institutional snobbery started.
Sergeant Haigh of the 33rd was promoted to officer within the unit, holding the usual supernumery rank typical of many ex-rankers who were not transferred into a Garrison, Veteran or foriegn Unit. However, partly through Wellesley's patronage, Haigh's two sons were able to both become officers in the 33rd and both were able to progress in rank. Sadly Capt John Haigh died at Quatre Bras and his brother, Lieut Thomas Haigh, died a few days later after being wounded at Waterloo.
Similarly two Gore brothers served in the same time with the unit in Graham's North European force and Wellingtons army in Belgium (the younger died at Quatre Bras). Other relationships in the 33rd included two brothers-in-law ( Orrok and Reid) who were actually related to Lt Col Gore ( probably a relative to the two Gore brothers mentioned ) .

I'm digressing.. but pointing out that the social strata in a military unit could be more flexible than sometimes given credit for in reference works or fiction. It also shows a human side to The Duke.

The present location of the whole of the army in StC is in Portugal.

Pardon me for the unrelatedness, and any possible misunderstanding!

Speaking of Sharpe however, could one not say that he could have joined any of the number of regiments, given a chance to see them 'first'? Ie. that the 33rd are the fortunate ones/or perhaps unfortunate, as they gain much fame in the world of Sharpe as the 'home' of Hakeswill the beloved sergeant. .

Again forgive the unrelated note factor.

33rd is probably not the luckiest home for troublemakers who are unfortunate enough to stand out.. unit was certainly into flogging looking at the later war documents.

I suppose I was alluding to the fact that two player characters officers could easily be in the same Regiment.

That reminds me of that saying (naval, but it fits) Floggins will continue till the morale improves.

Which officers are you speaking of? Ah, and we do have some former 33rds. Few present, but considering the interest in the pres. regiment. Is it the one you are considering to create a character in?

Not sure I would re-create myself..(Pvt -348 White ) immaculate turn out, though nearing discharge unless he procures a servant post. Constantly with a mug full of tea or something stronger in the evenings..... Though a 33rd character would be appealing, given my love for the unit; I will probably be considering creating a subaltern character for another infantry unit next month.

Privates are not expected to carry watches in this unit,.. it is probably a sign of looting or gambling. Plus what officer wants a private to be able to contradict him regarding the time he private is considered late etc !

I will be sticking with the Dirty Half Hundred, me. (So called from the black cuffs, which left dye on the men's faces when they wiped their foreheads on their sleeves. For some reason the officers preferred the nickname The Old Black Cuffs. Can't think why...)

Also. I play Richard Sharpe on the board. I really should get him out more often. Probably.

White facings are my preferred lot, if we're on that topic. But I'm flexible and have more or less been pressed into the 50th anyway!

Sharpiefan wrote:I will be sticking with the Dirty Half Hundred, me. (So called from the black cuffs, which left dye on the men's faces when they wiped their foreheads on their sleeves. For some reason the officers preferred the nickname The Old Black Cuffs. Can't think why...)

Also. I play Richard Sharpe on the board. I really should get him out more often. Probably.

Hmm.. one of BC's most noticeable errors in the very first line of a novel ...referred to 50th Foot as Dirty half Hundred in 'Sharpes Prey' before they earned the nicknme in a a campaign after the Danish incident.]

As far as I'm aware, they got the nickname in 1801 in Egypt - along with 'The Blind Half-Hundred' because of the numbers that went down with ophthalmia during the Egyptian campaign.

I had not come across that particular nickname before, thanks .

You're welcome!

Ophthalmia was the culprit behind that particular nickname, by the by. I'd imagine that other regiments serving in Egypt were afflicted by it as well, unless the 50th alone were simply that sort of unlucky.

Keiju! You need some sleep - I'd already mentioned the ophthalmia! :p

The 50th just got the nickname - or were the only regiment that kept it afterwards. Though The Dirty Half-Hundred is the most well-known nickname of theirs.