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The '33rd Regiment of Foot' was a regiment of the British Army. In 1881 it was amalgamated with another regiment to become the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). The regiment saw service in a wide range of wars and conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, and Abyssinia in addition to garrison duty. The regiment gained note from commanders for its battle record, efficiency, and discipline.

Contents

History

American Revolution

Guilford Court House

Green Spring

India

Waterloo

West Indies

Crimea

Abyssinia

External links

References

History

It was originally raised in 1702 as the 'Earl of Huntingdon's Regiment of Foot'; during that period of history regiments were known by the names of the Colonel of the regiment. It fought in numerous campaigns across Europe, winning its first battle honour at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, which was the last time a British monarch led the army into battle. Regiments were officially numbered in 1751, and the '33rd Regiment of Foot (1st West Riding Regiment)' became the official title. On 1 July 1881, following the Childers Reforms (a continuation of the Cardwell's Reforms of the armed forces) the 33rd was amalgamated with the 76th Regiment of Foot to form the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 'Halifax Regiment (Duke of Wellington's)'. This title was intensely resented, by the men of the 33rd. The title only lasted a few months before being changed again on 30 June 1881, in a revised appendix to General Order 41, to 'Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)'. It was often referred to as the 'West Riding Regiment, which was the name denoted on the shoulder titles. Further changes moved the parentheses and the title was first changed to 'Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment', then 'Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)'.
On 6 June 2006, the regiment amalgamated with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and The Green Howards, all Yorkshire-based regiments in the King's Division, to form the Yorkshire Regiment.
The 33rd itself had a good reputation for its professionalism and capability, which was seemingly unequalled by any other regiment of the British Army for some time. It was because of their professionalism in the field during the American War of Independence, the regiment was given the nickname 'The Pattern'; this then became the standard of soldiering which all other regiments should attain.

American Revolution

The 33rd saw much action during the American War of Independence, with its first engagement at the Siege of Charleston in early 1776, when that town was besieged by British forces. In August of that year, the 33rd were involved in the Battle of Long Island. After heavy fighting which lasted several days, the Americans evacuated their remaining forces to Manhattan. The British were victorious. The British forces suffered about 400 casualties, and the Americans over 2,000. Long Island remained in British control until 1784.
The regiment's next action came a month later, in September at the Battle of Harlem Heights. It was a small skirmish: besides some German forces, the only other British regiment was the 42nd Regiment of Foot, now the famous Black Watch, an equally fearsome and professional regiment. The British force, initially without the 33rd, encountered the New England Rangers, a scouting force sent by George Washington. A small skirmish ensued with the Americans subsequently retreating. Washington then sent another force to lure the British further up the northern plateau, which he held, along with a second force to move around the flank of the British. The British took the bait and advanced further up the plateau. The American flanking force was encountered by the British, which showed them the imminent danger they faced. After some further fighting, the British retreated to a field, where they were joined by the 33rd and a number of Hessian battalions. After further fighting, the Americans retreated.
The regiment was also involved in the Battle of Fort Washington. After that, the 33rd were not involved in a major battle until September 1777, when they took part in the Battle of Brandywine, where the British suffered 550 casualties and the Americans about 1,000. The regiment took part in further action that year, at the Battle of Germantown and at Whitemarsh, where they fought the Americans who had retreated from the fighting at Germantown.
The following year was just as active, with the 33rd seeing action at the Battle of Monmouth, an engagement that became the largest one-day battle of the war. The 33rd was also part of the defence of Newport and Quaker Hill, as well as the Battle of Old Tappan, which occurred in the closing months of the year.
Two years later, in 1780, the 33rd Regiment was besieging Charleston. By 11 May, the American General Benjamin Lincoln began to negotiate terms of surrender. The following day Lincoln, along with over 7,000 American soldiers, surrendered to the British forces under the command of Lieutenant-General Henry Clinton. In August that year, the 33rd were involved at the Battle of Camden. It was a victory for the British. Approximately 324 British were killed or wounded and about 1,000 Americans were killed or wounded, with another 1,000 being taken prisoner.

Guilford Court House

Main articles: Battle of Guilford Court House

The year 1781 proved to be the deadliest but most successful year for the 33rd. The regiment took part in the Battle of Wetzell's Mill, but the more famous action took place that same month during a battle at Guilford Court House.
On 14 March 1781, Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, was informed that General Richard Butler was marching to attack his army. With Butler was a body of North Carolina Militia, plus reinforcements from Virginia, consisting of 3,000 Virginia Militia, a Virginia State regiment, a Corp of Virginian "eighteen-month men" and recruits for the Maryland Line. They had joined the command of Major General Nathanael Greene, creating a force of some nine to ten thousand men in total. During the night, further reports confirmed the American force was at Guilford Court House, some 12 miles (20 km) away. Cornwallis decided to give battle, though he had only 1,900 men at his disposal.
At dawn on 15 March 1781, before the men had a chance to have breakfast, Cornwallis started for Guilford, arriving there at mid-day. Banastre Tarleton's Light Dragoons had been in the vanguard of the approach up the road and were briefly engaged by Henry Lee's Dragoons (Lee's Legion) some 4 miles (6 km) short of the Guilford Court House. The British 23rd Regiment of Foot sent reinforcements forward, and Lee withdrew, having suffered badly at the hands of Tarleton’s Light Dragoons in previous actions at Tarrant's House and Weitzell's Mill.

Unknown to Cornwallis, the Americans were actually deployed in three lines across the Salisbury road. The first, mostly manned by North Carolina Militia units, was behind the fence. To the west of this line were Colonel William Washington's 3rd Continental Light Dragoons and Virginian light infantry. To the east was Lieutenant Colonel Lee]] Dragoons. His second, manned by Virginian Militia was about 300 yards to the rear of the first. To the rear of this final line was the court house and General Greene's command post.
After a twenty-minute cannonade, Cornwallis began his attack around 1:30 pm. His left flank, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Webster, was made up of the 33rd and the 23rd (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Regiments, supported by the Grenadier company and 2nd Battalion of the Brigade of Guards, (fifteen men from each company of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards and the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, formed a composite battalion of Foot Guards to be sent to North America. The composite battalion was subsequently split into two battalions). At Guilford Court House, they were then under the command of Brigadier General O'Hara. The Light Infantry of the Guards and the German Yäegers (Jagers) remained in the woods to the west. To the right, under the command of Maj-Gen Leslie were the 71st Frasers Highlanders and the Prussian General, Julius von Bose's, Hessians, with the 1st Battalion of Guards in support. Following on were Tarleton’s Light Dragoons, plus 1 troop of the 17th Light Dragoons, ready to go where circumstances required.

The British moved forward in line. However, the wooded terrain, the width of the battlefield, and uneven resistance hindered a coordinated advance, and British forces arrived piecemeal at the third line. At the climax of the battle, British Guards and American Continentals engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
The 71st Regiment then came through the woods. The 2nd Battalion of Guards turned and charged back on the Americans, supported by the Grenadiers who had also advanced, pushing Washington's men back into the woods. Over to the left, elements of the 23rd Regiment started to appear, and part of Tarleton’s Light Dragoons charged up the road. The Americans turned and retreated, leaving behind their field guns and ammunition wagons. The 33rd Regiment then appeared, having overcome many difficulties on their advance. They had been heavily engaged by the American right flank, first crossing then re-crossing a ravine to consolidate and regroup. They were soon followed by the Light Infantry of the Guards. Cornwallis ordered the 23rd and 71st Regiments with part of the Cavalry to pursue the Americans, though not for any great distance.
The battle had lasted only ninety minutes, and although the British technically defeated the American force, they lost over a quarter of their own men. The 33rd suffered 11 killed and 63 wounded out of a force of 300 all ranks, having already lost 28 men in preceding actions.

Green Spring

The 33rd also fought at the Battle of Green Spring in July of that year. Their last engagement of the war was at the Battle of Yorktown, when they were part of the outnumbered British forces. The British surrendered on 19 October, having little ammunition, food and supplies left. There was also no sign of Henry Clinton's relieving force, which arrived in the Chesapeake on 24 October, far too late to affect the outcome.

India

The 33rd, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel (promoted to full Colonel in 1797) Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, had taken part in the disastrous Battle of Flanders and the retreat from Germany, before their deployment to India. In 1799, the regiment, still under the command of the future Duke, and attached to Nizam's Auxiliary Corps, took part in the Battle of Seringapatam. The regiment was involved in bitter fighting with the Tippoo Sultan's fearsome warriors. At one point they were repulsed with heavy losses when they attacked a wood, which was strongly defended by the Sultan's forces. The 33rd fought further actions throughout the battle, with the British being victorious, and the Tippoo Sultan was killed. The regiment won a Battle Honour for its involvement in the action. The siege of Seringapatam is featured in the Richard Sharpe novel ''Sharpe's Tiger'' by Bernard Cornwell.
In 1857, the 33rd took part in operations against the Indian Mutiny, being involved in a number of actions there, notably at Dwarka, which ultimately led to the restoration of stability.

Waterloo

The 33rd landed at Willemstad on 17 December 1814, and worked in conjunction with the Russian contingent under Benckendorff and the Prussians under Bülow the regiment, under the command of Lt-Col Elphinstone. There was a considerable amount of inconclusive manoeuvring before finally action against the French near Antwerp on 13 January, around the village of Merxem. The French were routed at bayonet point with no casualties suffered by the 33rd. By early March 1815, the Regiment was again under the command of the Duke of Wellington, this time at the Battle of Waterloo. They had taken part in the action of the previous day, at the Battle of Quatre Bras. Having taken up positions at Waterloo, the 33rd was part of the 5th Brigade under the command of Major General Sir Colin Halkett, which comprised, in addition the 2nd Bn 30th Foot, and 2nd Bn 69th Foot. The Brigade was part of the 3rd Division under the command of General Count Sir Charles Alten, which was in turn part of I Corps, under the command of William, Prince of Orange.
The 33rd was involved in heavy fighting and at the end of the battle the Regiment's casualties numbered 11 officers and 128 men killed or wounded. The British and their Allies were victorious, but at a price, suffering about 15,000 casualties. The Prussians suffered 7,000 casualties. The French suffered 32,000 dead or wounded, as well as around 8,000 taken prisoner.

West Indies

Having departed from Paris on 23 December 1815, the regiment spent the post Waterloo period, from January 1816 to 1821, in uneventful garrison duties in Glasgow, Guernsey and Dublin. The regiment was able to recruit, re-equip and retrain, gaining the approval of many visiting Generals.
In 1822, the regiment was posted to Jamaica. The West Indies were notorious as the death bed of the British Army because of the high mortality rate from Malaria, Dysentery, Yellow Fever and other such endemic diseases. Many thousands of soldier never made it back to Britain. The 33rd was not to escape its harsh environment. Within two months, 3 officers and 49 other ranks had died. By the end of the tour in 1832, 11 officers and 560 NCOs and men had died from diseases. They arrived in Portsmouth in March 1832 with a command of 12 officers and 240 other ranks. 142 had opted to remain behind, having married and taken up residence with their families, and transferred to the 22nd (Cheshire) and the 84th (York and Lancaster) Regiments.

Crimea

The 33rd had been renamed the 33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment. The title was granted on 18 June 1853, by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in honour of the iconic 1st Duke of Wellington, who had died on 14 September the previous year.
At the Battle of Alma, bitter fighting took place, with the 33rd being part of the Light Division under the command of Sir George Brown. The British advanced up the slope towards the Russian positions. The British formations became intermingled, turning into a mass of soldiers, rather than the professional, neat formations used on parade. As they charged, numerous Russian troops came down the slope to meet them. The British halted and fired, causing so many casualties the Russians were forced to retreat. The British line reorganised and moved up the slope towards the Great Redoubt, with the 33rd being the first to attack the defence works. The 33rd suffered heavy casualties in the hand-to-hand combat that ensued.
The British forces prevailed in taking the objective. However, Russian forces advance on the Great Redoubt to counter-attack. An officer shouted to the British soldiers not to fire, claiming them to be French, despite the fact that they were not. Other British officers soon contradicted him, ordering the men to fire at the massed ranks of soldiers advancing on their position. The soldiers were confused, and the British officers soon decided the prudent option would be to get back down the hill to safety. The Russians failed to pursue, mostly because some French artillery pieces were firing a few shells in the direction of the Russian forces. The Guards Division, comprising the most elite infantry regiments of the British Army, advanced and crossed the river. However, the Scots Guards were shattered when retreating soldiers from the Royal Welch Fusiliers, who had been attacked by a mass of Russian soldiers, crashed into the Scots Guards and caused chaos amongst the formation. The Russians seized the moment, launching a mass bayonet charge resulting in heavy hand-to-hand fighting. The Scots Guards suffered 200 casualties and were forced to retreat.
An unknown officer ordered the Grenadier Guards, who were preparing to meet the advancing Russian forces, to withdraw. The officer commanding a company of the Grenadiers ordered them to reform to meet the advancing Russians. They poured a large amount of fire into the Russian troops, causing many casualties. The British then began to advance, and the Russians retreated. The Great Redoubt was once again in British control. On the right flank, the Highland Brigade—just two lines deep—advanced whilst firing, which was an unusual manoeuvre in those days. The Russians soon fled, and victory was assured. The British forces suffered 2,000 casualties, the French 1,000, and the Russians 6,000. The 33rd received a Battle Honour for their actions during that battle.
At the Battle of Inkerman, the 33rd were again involved in some bitter fighting, in which the British infantry advanced despite heavy losses and a strong defence by the Russians. The fighting was fierce, at times some soldiers resorting to attacking their enemy with the butts of their guns. The British suffered some 2,357 killed or wounded, and the French lost about 939 soldiers. Russian casualties were immense with some 11,800 killed or wounded.
The 33rd was involved in the Siege of Sevastopol, which lasted for 11 months. By 1856, the war was over but at a high price. The British had lost approximately 22,182 dead and 18,280 wounded, out of a total force of over 97,000. The majority were lost not because of fighting with the Russians, but to disease. In total, the Allies lost over 160,000 dead and the Russians lost over 450,000.

Abyssinia

The 33rd were part of the main task force sent to the East African nation after several European citizens had been taken hostage by Tewodros II. They had been seized when a letter he had sent to Queen Victoria, requesting munitions and military experts from the British, was seemingly ignored. The rescue force landed in 1868 at Annesley Bay and consolidated their bridgehead. Several regiments guarded the bay while the 4th (The King's Own Royal), 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) and 45th (Sherwood Forresters) Regiments of Foot comprised the rescue force, along with some Indian units complete with mules and elephants. It took two months to reach their objective, the fortress of Magdala, crossing difficult and arduous terrain in their journey.
Before the forces could actually attack Magdala, they had to get past the plateau of Arogi, the only route to Magdala. It certainly looked formidable to attack. So the British did not expect that the king would leave the defences of Arogi to attack the them and so paid little regard to their defensive positions. But the king did attack, with many thousands of warriors. The 4th of Foot quickly redeployed to meet the charging Abyssinians and poured a devastating fire into the masses of the warriors. When they were joined by two Indian regiments, the onslaught became even more devastating. Despite this, the Abyssinian warriors came on losing over 500 in the opening fusillade, with thousands more being wounded during the ninety minutes of fighting. During the chaotic battle elements of the 33rd managed to overpower some artillerymen and capture their artillery pieces.
The British prepared to assault the fortress of Magdala, even though King Tewodros had released all the hostages unharmed. The bombardment began with mortars and artillery. Infantry units then opened fire, covering the Engineers sent to the gates of Magdala in an attempt to blow them up. Fire from the fortress defenders was aimed at the Engineers. One Engineer party forgot the powder kegs. Several officers and men of the 33rd, along with an officer from the Royal Engineers, parted from the main force and reached the Abyssnian defences. They climbed a cliff face, forcing their way over a wall and through a thorny hedge. This group surprised and overpowered the defenders opposing the British Engineers at the gates. The remaining defenders then surrendered. Private James Bergin and Drummer Michael Magner, both of the 33rd, were awarded the Victoria Cross for their part in the action ^[1]. King Tewodros II was later found dead, having shot himself with a pistol that had been a gift from Queen Victoria.

External links

★ MOD Yorkshire Regiment Website

★ Regimental museum

★ Reenactment unit portraying the 33rd in the American Revolution

References

1. London Gazette 28 July 1868