Origins of the Regiment
In June, 1667, Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester, was granted a commission to raise a regiment of foot, The Marquess of Worcester's Regiment of Foot. In 1682, Henry Somerset was created Duke of Beaufort, and in 1685 he was again commissioned to raise a regiment, The Duke of Beaufort's Regiment of Foot, or Beaufort Musketeers, to defend Bristol against the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion. The regiment served under the name of its various Colonels until it was numbered as the 11th Regiment of Foot when the numerical system of regimental designation was adopted in 1751. It was given the additional county title of 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot in 1782.
Battle of Salamanca, 22nd July 1812
The Battle of Salamanca was fought in the stifling heat of a Spanish summer. Late in the day the 1st Battalion of the 11th Foot took part in the final charge against Ferey's Division which was posted on a steep craggy ridge. It was getting dark as the battalion rapidly advanced up the hill, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery. As their numbers dwindled, they closed in towards their Colours in the centre of the line, shrouded in acrid powder smoke. Each soldier could see in the gloom, high in front, a thin horizontal line of flashing musket fire. Half-burned discharged cartridge papers had also set the grass ablaze. The redcoats fired when they came within range, then went in with the bayonet.
The French were routed, and they withdrew into the darkness. There were no more than 4 officers and about 67 men of the 11th left to talk over their exploits that night. The regiment earned itself the nickname 'The Bloody Eleventh'.
Here is a picture depicting the events that made way to the nickname of "The Bloody Eleventh"
Roster
Colonel (Col) : David
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt-Col) : Lysander
Corporal (Cpl) :
eric
Michael
Lance Corporal (LCpl) :
Liam
Matthew Gresty
Guardsman (Gdm) :
Yoko
Sleepy
Quinnton
Nickious
Thorrider
Regular (Rgl) :
Duncan
Private (Pte) :
DanHenderson
Dylan
ImAfkSoGoAway
Lukek2012
Totem