A Synopsis of the 29th's History
The 29th Regiment of Foot was raised in 1694 as Farrington's Regiment by Colonel Thomas Farrington an officer in the Cold Stream Guards. The 29th's first battle honor came on May 23, 1706 at the Battle of Ramillies where the Duke of Marlbourgh's Army of British, Dutch and Danish troops defeated an Army of French, Spanish and German troops during the War of the Spanish Succession. The regiment spent the years 1714-1726 in Ireland and then nearly 20 years at Gibraltar (1727-1745).
In 1745 the 29th was at Fortress Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia to garrison the newly captured French fortress. Here they earned the nick-name "Ever Sworded" in September of 1746, as some Indians broke into the officer's mess. After this incident a standing order was issued to the officers of the regiment that all officers were to be armed at all times, including during the officers mess, where normally no swords or signals of rank are worn. In 1749 the 29th was at the future site of Halifax, Nova Scotia where the regiment cleared the land for the new town and port. From Halifax, the 29th set sail for Ireland in 1750 and remained there until 1765 when they returned to Halifax.
In 1768 the 14th Regiment of Foot, along with the 29th were sent to Boston, Massachusetts to keep order in the city. The stay in Boston was not an easy one and there were many incidences of conflict with the local population leading up to the "Boston Massacre" on March 5, 1770. On the evening of March 5th Pvt Huge White was on guard outside the custom house when a mob came up yelling and throwing snow and ice at Pvt White who then called for assistance. Captain Thomas Preston along with a corporal and six men came to his aid. Pvt Huge Montgomery was knocked down by Crispus Attucks and the soldiers' only hearing part of "Don't Fire" by Captain Preston due to the shouts of the mob, fired into the crowd killing six and wounding six more. The actions of that night earned the 29th the nick-name "Vein Openers" for spilling the 1st blood of the American Revolution.
After the Boston Massacre the 29th left Boston for England. With the start of the American Revolution in 1775 and the American's invasion of Canada, the 29th formed part of the relief force for Quebec City. The relief force arrived in May of 1776. The regiment fought at the Battle of Trois-Rivières and Valcour Island driving the Continental Army from Canada.
In 1777 the Grenadier and Light Infantry companies were with Gen. John Burgoyne for the Saratoga Campaign. At the Battle of Hubbardton on July 7, 1777 the 29th Light Company took heavy casualties assaulting the American position along a stone wall at the top of a hill. Both the Grenadier and Light Infantry companies were surrendered with the rest of Gen. Burgoyne's army after the defeat at Bemis Heights in October of 1777.
In late October of 1778 Maj. Christopher Carleton of the 29th led a raid down Lake Champlain burning the towns, farms and food supplies along the Vermont shore. In the fall of 1780 Maj. Carleton led another raid crossing from Lake Champlain to the Hudson River capturing Fort Edward and then marching north to capture Fort George at the southern end of Lake George.
In 1782 the 29th Regiment of Foot was linked to the County of Worcestershire in England and returned to their new home of Worcestershire in 1787. On June 1, 1794 the 29th were serving as marines aboard the English Fleet of Lord Howe as it defeated a French fleet in the North Atlantic, this battle became known as the "Glorious First of June". For this engagement the 29th earned the Naval Crown for their colours.
From 1808 to 1811 the 29th served with the Duke of Wellington's Army is Portugal and Spain. The regiment earned battle honors at the Battles of Rolica, Vimiera, Talavera and Albuhera. The 29th suffered heavy casualties at Albuera and was sent home to England to recruit.
In 1842 the 29th was sent to India and fought in the Sikh Wars earning more battle honors at Ferozeshah, Sorbraon, Chillianwallah and Goojerat. At the Battle of Sorbraon the 29th and the 10th Regiment of Foot met in the captured Sikh trenches cementing a friendship between the regiments that last to this day. Officers and NCO's of both regiments refer to each other as "My Dear Cousin".
In 1881 the 29th Regiment of Foot became the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment with the amalgamation of the 29th and 36th Regiments of Foot. The 36th became the 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.
Today the 29th lives on as the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Forester's but this regiment too will be amalgamated with another to form the Mercian Regiment of which the 2nd Battalion will carry on the traditions of the old 29th Regiment of Foot.
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