HISTORY AND TRADITION OF THE KING'S
OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY (K.O.Y.L.I.)
K.O.Y.L.I.
More than a century and a half have elapsed since the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised, in 1755, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, yet from the very first period of its existence
down to the present time it has possessed one of the highest reputations in the British Service. Its celebrity began at Minden, and has continued in the Peninsula, Burma, on the Indian Frontier, and in South Africa with a lustre that has never paled; and should
England again call for its services in the field of battle the Regiment will be worthy of its traditions so long as its members recollect that they are called by the spirit of those grim warriors of the Great War of 1914-1918 who, few in numbers but of giant heart, faced
Britain's foes on the plains of France with the majestic confidence of invincibility to perpetuate the glory which had been entrusted to their keeping and had descended to them from generations of soldiers for whom the world could produce no match.
The motto, "Cede Nullis" (Yield to None) is a proud inspiration to all ranks to put duty before pleasure, to keep healthy and cheerful in body and mind, and to work continuously, each to the best of his ability, to maintain our high standards and traditions and to add to the great reputation handed down to us by those who have served in the Regiment in the past.
The White Rose, the special badge emblazoned on the Regimental Colour, tells us that the Regiment is associated closely with Yorkshire. It has, in fact, been associated with the West Riding since it was raised in 1755. The first recruits were raised in Leeds and we have recruits from these parts ever since.
The Regiment was first raised as the53rd Foot(Napiers') andtwo years later became the 51st Foot (Brudenell's). It was not longbefore the 51st was on active service, for it was one of the six
British regiments to distinguish themselves at the Battle of Mindenon the 1st August, 1759.
This battle is famous because these six British infantry regiments stood firm against repeated charges of cavalry and finally charged them and tumbled them to ruin. Minden Day is celebrated yearly in
all battalions of the Regiment on the 1st August, when white roses
are worn in the hats and on the jacket. "The Regiment has not forgotten that it shared in the glory of the Battle of Minden," For the next fifty years the Regiment served in many parts of the world and took part in several actions. It is interesting to note that in 1783 the title of the Regiment was "The 51st(Second Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment". In 1790 the Regiment was commanded by Lieut.-Col. John Moore, and it was when Colonel Moore was standing beside Captain Horatio Nelson at the siege of Calvi in Corsica, in 1794, that a fragment of stone was thrown up by anenemy shot and destroyed the sight of Nelson's eye.
In 1808the Regiment was sent to Spain where the 51st played an important part in the bitter fighting especially at Corunna in 1809. It was in this battle that the British Commander-in-Chief, General
Sir John Moore, was killed. General Sir John Moore had spent most of his services in the 51st; he joined in 1776, and he commanded the Regiment from 1790 to 1795.
In recognition of the fine work done by the Regiment during the campaign of Corunna, and in memory of their old Commanding Officer, General Sir John Moore, who was a strong supporter of Light Infantry, the 51st was made a Light Infantry regiment in 1809. This was a very great honour, as only the very best regiments were made Light Infantry. The badge was changed to the Bugle, and green feathers were worn in the helmets. The Regiment was now the 51st Light Infantry.
In 1811the Regiment returned to Spain to take part in the Peninsular War, this lasted until 1814. The Regiment took part in six battles and also took a prominent part in the siege of Badajos. It was during this siege that Ensign Dyas of the 51st greatly distinguished himself, with great gallantry on three occasions he led the storming party against the fort in the face of almost certain death. This gallant feat is still commemorated in the Regiment by the toast of "Dyas and the stormers."
In 1815 the Regiment joined Wellington's army in France and took part in the battle of Waterloo. They were stationed on the right of the British line near Hougomont Farm and fired the first shots in the battle. The title of "King's Own" was bestowed on the Regiment in 1821. The Regiment was now the 51st King's Own
Light Infantry and the facings were changed from Light Infantry green to Royal blue.
After the Waterloo campaign the Regiment served for severalyears in the Ionian Islands and in Australia. In 1852 and 1853 the51st took part in the Second Burma War, afterwards returning to England and then going to India in 1858, where they remained until 1887, except for a short time at home from 1867 to 1873.
It was in 1881 that a great change took place; before this year all regiments had been known by their numbers. In 1881 the old numbers, which regiments had borne for many years, and under
which they had won honours which officers and men so dearly prized, were done away with. In future infantry regiments were to be known by their county titles and two battalions were linked together. Our two battalions had some slight connection, as they had shared the same depot at Doncaster for the last eight years.
So on the 1st July, 1881, the 51st King's Own Light Infantry and
the 105th Madras Light Infantry were joined to form the 1st and2nd Battalions of the King's Own Light Infantry (South Yorkshire Regiment).
The 105th Madras Light Infantry was formed in 1839with the title of "The 2nd Madras European Light Infantry Regiment".
In 1861 this regiment was transferred to the Queen's Army after the Mutiny and became the "105th, Madras Light Infantry" and, as mentioned above, in 1881 the title changed again, and in that year the 105th became the 2nd Battalion The King's Own Light Infantry.
down to the present time it has possessed one of the highest reputations in the British Service. Its celebrity began at Minden, and has continued in the Peninsula, Burma, on the Indian Frontier, and in South Africa with a lustre that has never paled; and should
England again call for its services in the field of battle the Regiment will be worthy of its traditions so long as its members recollect that they are called by the spirit of those grim warriors of the Great War of 1914-1918 who, few in numbers but of giant heart, faced
Britain's foes on the plains of France with the majestic confidence of invincibility to perpetuate the glory which had been entrusted to their keeping and had descended to them from generations of soldiers for whom the world could produce no match.
The motto, "Cede Nullis" (Yield to None) is a proud inspiration to all ranks to put duty before pleasure, to keep healthy and cheerful in body and mind, and to work continuously, each to the best of his ability, to maintain our high standards and traditions and to add to the great reputation handed down to us by those who have served in the Regiment in the past.
The White Rose, the special badge emblazoned on the Regimental Colour, tells us that the Regiment is associated closely with Yorkshire. It has, in fact, been associated with the West Riding since it was raised in 1755. The first recruits were raised in Leeds and we have recruits from these parts ever since.
The Regiment was first raised as the53rd Foot(Napiers') andtwo years later became the 51st Foot (Brudenell's). It was not longbefore the 51st was on active service, for it was one of the six
British regiments to distinguish themselves at the Battle of Mindenon the 1st August, 1759.
This battle is famous because these six British infantry regiments stood firm against repeated charges of cavalry and finally charged them and tumbled them to ruin. Minden Day is celebrated yearly in
all battalions of the Regiment on the 1st August, when white roses
are worn in the hats and on the jacket. "The Regiment has not forgotten that it shared in the glory of the Battle of Minden," For the next fifty years the Regiment served in many parts of the world and took part in several actions. It is interesting to note that in 1783 the title of the Regiment was "The 51st(Second Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment". In 1790 the Regiment was commanded by Lieut.-Col. John Moore, and it was when Colonel Moore was standing beside Captain Horatio Nelson at the siege of Calvi in Corsica, in 1794, that a fragment of stone was thrown up by anenemy shot and destroyed the sight of Nelson's eye.
In 1808the Regiment was sent to Spain where the 51st played an important part in the bitter fighting especially at Corunna in 1809. It was in this battle that the British Commander-in-Chief, General
Sir John Moore, was killed. General Sir John Moore had spent most of his services in the 51st; he joined in 1776, and he commanded the Regiment from 1790 to 1795.
In recognition of the fine work done by the Regiment during the campaign of Corunna, and in memory of their old Commanding Officer, General Sir John Moore, who was a strong supporter of Light Infantry, the 51st was made a Light Infantry regiment in 1809. This was a very great honour, as only the very best regiments were made Light Infantry. The badge was changed to the Bugle, and green feathers were worn in the helmets. The Regiment was now the 51st Light Infantry.
In 1811the Regiment returned to Spain to take part in the Peninsular War, this lasted until 1814. The Regiment took part in six battles and also took a prominent part in the siege of Badajos. It was during this siege that Ensign Dyas of the 51st greatly distinguished himself, with great gallantry on three occasions he led the storming party against the fort in the face of almost certain death. This gallant feat is still commemorated in the Regiment by the toast of "Dyas and the stormers."
In 1815 the Regiment joined Wellington's army in France and took part in the battle of Waterloo. They were stationed on the right of the British line near Hougomont Farm and fired the first shots in the battle. The title of "King's Own" was bestowed on the Regiment in 1821. The Regiment was now the 51st King's Own
Light Infantry and the facings were changed from Light Infantry green to Royal blue.
After the Waterloo campaign the Regiment served for severalyears in the Ionian Islands and in Australia. In 1852 and 1853 the51st took part in the Second Burma War, afterwards returning to England and then going to India in 1858, where they remained until 1887, except for a short time at home from 1867 to 1873.
It was in 1881 that a great change took place; before this year all regiments had been known by their numbers. In 1881 the old numbers, which regiments had borne for many years, and under
which they had won honours which officers and men so dearly prized, were done away with. In future infantry regiments were to be known by their county titles and two battalions were linked together. Our two battalions had some slight connection, as they had shared the same depot at Doncaster for the last eight years.
So on the 1st July, 1881, the 51st King's Own Light Infantry and
the 105th Madras Light Infantry were joined to form the 1st and2nd Battalions of the King's Own Light Infantry (South Yorkshire Regiment).
The 105th Madras Light Infantry was formed in 1839with the title of "The 2nd Madras European Light Infantry Regiment".
In 1861 this regiment was transferred to the Queen's Army after the Mutiny and became the "105th, Madras Light Infantry" and, as mentioned above, in 1881 the title changed again, and in that year the 105th became the 2nd Battalion The King's Own Light Infantry.
