Background
The regiment was originally formed in 1674 by Daniel O'Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare to fight in dutch service during the 3rd Anglo-Dutch War. In the following year the colonelcy was passed to John Fenwick and the "Irish" connection was broken and the regiment became know as a "Holland Regiment". The regiment was transferred to English Service on June 5, 1685, the regiment was designated as the 5th Regiment of the line. The regiment like most regiments at the time and were known by the name of there commanders until 1751. In 1782 they renamed as the 5th (Northumberland) Regiment of foot, this connection was made to honour the current commander, Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland. During the Peninsula War the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade under command of Major General Charles Colville. During the war the regiment earned the nicknames the "Old and Bold", "The Fighting Fifth" and also "Lord Wellington's Bodyguard". It formed part of a small force which beat off an overwhelming force at El Boden in 1811, a performance which Wellington notified to the army as a memorable example of what can be done by steadiness, discipline, and confidence. On May 4, 1836 the 5th became a fusilier regiment and was re designated as the 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot. During the Childers Reforms of 1881 the numbered regiments of line were given new titles and were linked to a particular county, and around July 1 the Northumberland Fusiliers was the county regiment of Northumberland. In June 1935 George V celebrated his silver jubilee, in which this opportunity was used to grant four regiments royal status (5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, " The Buffs" East Kent Regiment, Norfolk Regiment, and the 5th). On April 23, 1968 as part of army reforms all the Fusilier regiments were merged together into the fourth largest infantry regiment, known at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
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