Wagon Hill - 06th January 1899-1900

During late 1899 and early 1900 the 1st Devons were engaged against the Boers in the Siege of Ladysmith, in South Africa. Ladysmith is surrounded by hills and the garrison units were tasked with keeping the Boers from taking the heights to prevent Ladysmith coming into range of their artillery. On 6 January the Boers made a determined effort to assault Caesar's Camp and the Devons were tasked with preventing its capture. Wagon Point formed part of Caesar's Camp, and it was successfully cleared by the Devons during a vicious thunderstorm. During the action Lieutenant Masterson won a Victoria Cross for carrying a vital message requesting fire support from the Imperial Light Horse. Despite being severely wounded in both legs he crawled across open ground, swept with accurate Boer fire to successfully deliver the message. Today a rugby match is held between the Officers' Mess and the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess, and the Warrant Officers are invited into the Officers' Mess for dinner. In 2000 the rugby match and subsequent dinner were held at the foot of Wagon Hill in South Africa. The subsequent dinner was also enjoyed by members of the 5th Battalion the South African Infantry and the Harrismith Commando, South African units today who are the direct descendents of our foes at Ladysmith.

On 11th November 1857, the 54th of Foot were aboard the troop ship SS Sarah Sands, bound for India to quash the Indian Mutiny. In the middle of the Indian Ocean, 800 miles from land a fire broke out on board. The crew were in fear of the gunpowder aboard exploding and so abandoned ship. The soldiers of the 54th showed their bravery by throwing the gunpowder kegs overboard, evacuated the women and children, and rescued the Colours before putting out the fire. Ten days later, the damaged Sarah Sands arrived in Mauritius. Queen Victoria was so impressed with the accounts of the 54th's gallant action that she commanded that a Special Order was to be read to every Regiment at that time.

The 11th November is celebrated each year with a March and Shoot competition. The Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess holds its annual Sarah Sands Ball in the evening.

The Battle of Salamanca took place in the Peninsula War. At Salamanca the British took up positions out of sight of the enemy, during a tremendous thunderstorm. The French Marshall Marmot, deceived by the British activities on the forward slope, did not appreciate the strength and disposition of Wellington's Army. Marmont attacked the centre of the British line with cavalry. The 11th ''formed square'' and managed to break the charge. The Devons then advanced towards the French supporting Infantry and managed to drive them off their position with well-disciplined and accurate musket fire. Hoping to repeat their success, the 11th were then tasked with ousting the French from a well-chosen defensive position. This proved an expensive meeting. An enormous musketry duel ensued during which the 11th lost the guard of Colour-Sergeants who were protecting the Battalion's colours. Eventually the French were forced to withdraw, opening up the way for another great British Victory. The nickname "The Bloody Eleventh", still used today, is a reflection of the 16 officers and 325 NCOs who were killed during the battle. Today the battle is remembered through a Commanding Officer's challenge day. This year companies were tasked with providing entertainment for the families in the form of an open-air fete and a series of challenges including flying a plane, being photographed with a supermodel and numerous other fun activities.

The 2nd Devon's had been transferred to a quiet sector in the South in order to re-organise after two months of intensive fighting. Unfortunately, the French Army deployed the Devon's in to the line of fire of the final German offensive. The Devon's survived the initial artillery barrage because they were in a reserve position in tunnels beneath the sandstone hill of Bois des Buttes. They emerged to find themselves outnumbered and outflanked by German infantry and under attack by tanks, aircraft and an unremitting artillery barrage.

Against all the odds the Devon's stood their ground and made Bois des Buttes a sizeable pocket of resistance within the main German advance. The bravery of the Devons bought the remainder of the Allied Army time to reorganise their defences and reinforce the Front with reserves.

Under their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson-Moreshead, the last of the Devon's mounted a last stand along a vital road. The Commanding Officer died, alongside 23 officers and 528 men dead, wounded or taken prisoners. Only 40 succeeded in crossing the canal to rejoin the rearguard of the Allied Forces.

For their exceptional heroism and self-sacrifice, the 2nd Devon's were awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government. The green and red ribbon is worn on the shoulder of The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment today.

Lance Corporal Onions was awarded a Victoria Cross following an action on 22nd August 1918 at Aichet Le Petit. LCpl Onions was a 1st Devon and had been sent to get in touch with The Battalion on the right flank. As he was advancing he came across large numbers of Germans who were attempting to infiltrate the British lines. Realising his opportunity he placed himself on the Germans flank and opened fire. The enemy line began to waver and some appeared to surrender. LCpl Onions rushed forward and took over 200 Germans prisoner. He then marched them back to his Company Commander. Today the Corporals Mess have an annual Lance Corporal Onions VC Dinner Night.

Lieutenant Colonel H Jones OBE VC was awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding leadership and personal bravery whilst commanding the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment at Goose Green in the Falklands on 28th May 1982. The Battalion attack on Goose Green had ground to halt. Colonel H's gallant dash to take an enemy trench inspired his Battalion and unlocked a potential stalemate. Colonel H had been a Devon and Dorset for the previous 20 years and the Regiment today remembers his sacrifice with a gruelling inter-platoon patrols competition.

The Colours

 

From earliest times emblems have been carried as an inspiration in battle, and as a rallying point in times of adversity. The emblems developed into the colours to be defended at all costs. Today the Colours remain a symbol of The Regiment's loyalty, recording hard-won battle honours in recognition of the courage and sacrifice of those who have served before. As evidence, the Queen's Colour bears thirty-four battle honours from the last two wars, while the Regimental Colour carries on it twenty-one from campaigns before the First World War. As with all Colours, they are only allowed to be handled by officers, they are always saluted when uncased and they travel everywhere with an armed escort.

 

The Castle
This is the Castle of Exeter and came from the Devonshire Regiment Badge.

Semper Fidelis
''Semper Fidelis'' (Ever Faithful) was the motto of the Devonshire Regiment and derives from the motto of the City of Exeter.

The Sphinx
The Sphinx came from the Dorset Regimental Badge, having been awarded to the 54th of Foot for service in Egypt during the Napoleonic Wars.

Marabout
A unique Battle Honour awarded to the 54th for capturing Fort Marabout in Egypt in 1801.

Primus in Indis
This was the motto of the Dorset Regiment. It was awarded to the 39th of Foot after the victorious battle at Plassey 1757 in India, where they were the only British line regiment to serve under Lord Clive.

The Green Backing
The green backing to the cap badge is a legacy from the uniforms of the Devonshire Regiment and Dorset Regiment, both of which had green facings (i.e. lapels and cuffs).