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Regiments / 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot "The Two Fives"
« on: January 07, 2015, 07:45:12 pm »
55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot "The Two Fives"
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The regiment was raised as the 57th in Stirling by Colonel George Perry. The warrant was dated 31st December 1755 so recruiting did not take place until 1756. Despite it's position north of the Edinburgh to Glasgow line it was never designated a Highland regiment. When the 50th and 51st were disbanded, the 57th was re-numbered 55th.
The regiment managed to serve in two theatres of the war at once since the light company went to the West Indies, and the grenadier and battalion companies were sent to the continent to fight in Flanders under the Hanoverian General Hamerstein. Later they served under Count Walmoden at Nieguen and in the winter retreat along the Waal to Bremen. The light company fought at Martinique, St Lucia and Guadeloupe, later being reinforced by the remainder of the 55th who were sent out to help recapture St Lucia for the third time.
Holland 1799 and West Indies
After returning from the West Indies in 1799 the regiment took part in the invasion of Holland which was under the French controlled Batavian Republic. After this they were quartered on the Channel Islands then, in 1802, sent back to the West Indies to serve in Jamaica for 10 years. Whilst there they took part in an attack on St Domingo in 1809 to relieve the Spanish.
Bergen op Zoom 1814
The British under the command of Sir Thomas Graham made an abortive attack on French-held Bergen op Zoom, 21 miles north of Antwerp. The defenses had been constructed by the great Dutch engineer Coehorn and were considered impregnable. The 55th were with the 33rd, 69th and the Guards, marching from Santvliet in the early hours of 8th March 1814. As they approached the fortifications they were exposed to a very intense volley from the ramparts. Major Hog, commanding the 55th ordered them to follow him over two pallisades and up a bank to take cover on an icy surface. The situation was impossible and messages were sent back to ask for orders. Finally a retreat was ordered by Col Morice of the 69th but as they exposed themselves to renewed enemy fire many casualties were sustained.
The disorganised regiments reformed and managed to gain access into a bastion but were in a state of confusion and were required to withdraw. The force surrendered to the French, but not before the Colours had been taken from their poles and concealed under the coats of the two ensigns who had carried them into battle, Ensign Edward Ring and Ensign George Goodall. They were all taken prisoner but soon released, the hidden Colours being successfully brought back and thus saved from capture.
The regiment managed to serve in two theatres of the war at once since the light company went to the West Indies, and the grenadier and battalion companies were sent to the continent to fight in Flanders under the Hanoverian General Hamerstein. Later they served under Count Walmoden at Nieguen and in the winter retreat along the Waal to Bremen. The light company fought at Martinique, St Lucia and Guadeloupe, later being reinforced by the remainder of the 55th who were sent out to help recapture St Lucia for the third time.
Holland 1799 and West Indies
After returning from the West Indies in 1799 the regiment took part in the invasion of Holland which was under the French controlled Batavian Republic. After this they were quartered on the Channel Islands then, in 1802, sent back to the West Indies to serve in Jamaica for 10 years. Whilst there they took part in an attack on St Domingo in 1809 to relieve the Spanish.
Bergen op Zoom 1814
The British under the command of Sir Thomas Graham made an abortive attack on French-held Bergen op Zoom, 21 miles north of Antwerp. The defenses had been constructed by the great Dutch engineer Coehorn and were considered impregnable. The 55th were with the 33rd, 69th and the Guards, marching from Santvliet in the early hours of 8th March 1814. As they approached the fortifications they were exposed to a very intense volley from the ramparts. Major Hog, commanding the 55th ordered them to follow him over two pallisades and up a bank to take cover on an icy surface. The situation was impossible and messages were sent back to ask for orders. Finally a retreat was ordered by Col Morice of the 69th but as they exposed themselves to renewed enemy fire many casualties were sustained.
The disorganised regiments reformed and managed to gain access into a bastion but were in a state of confusion and were required to withdraw. The force surrendered to the French, but not before the Colours had been taken from their poles and concealed under the coats of the two ensigns who had carried them into battle, Ensign Edward Ring and Ensign George Goodall. They were all taken prisoner but soon released, the hidden Colours being successfully brought back and thus saved from capture.
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