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THE SECOND BATTALION
THE LIGHT INFANTRY
CEDE NULLIS
‘yield to none’
Origins of Light Infantry
General Sir John Moore
Development of Light Infantry
Battle Honours
Recent Operational Deployments
Adventure Training and Sports
Regimental Magazine
Origins of Light Infantry
It was the colonial war between France and England in North America which established the concept of ‘light Infantry’ in the British Army. In the North American Wars of the 1750s, the heavy equipment, conspicuous red and white uniforms and close formation fighting of the British Army proved to be wholly unsuitable when operating in close country against Indians and French colonists, who had highly developed fieldcraft and marksmanship skills. Prompted by these experiences, General James Wolfe (1727-1759) and Lord Amherst (1717-97) realised there was a need for a new approach in the infantry. A small corps of ‘light’ troops, recruited from settlers, was formed in 1755. It consisted of specially trained men, carefully selected for their toughness and intelligence, able to scout and skirmish, concentrating and dispersing with great stealth and speed. Their dress and equipment and tactics were adjusted to meet this new role.
So effective were these ‘light’ troops that steps were taken to increase the number available. Regiments formed ‘Light Companies’ of soldiers specially selected for their toughness, intelligence, military skills and ability to act on their own initiative, within the framework of a broad tactical plan. The bugle horn, which subsequently became the emblem of light troops, replaced the drums as a means of communication for the often widely dispersed Light Companies. By the end of 18th century it was not unusual for commanders to group the various Light Companies together for specific tasks. The invasion of Spain by Napoleon in 1802 was to cause further, rapid evolution of the Light Infantry concept under the leadership and training of the brilliant young general, Sir John Moore.
General Sir John Moore
John Moore joined the 51st Regiment of Foot, later to become The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as an Ensign at the age of 15. In 1790 at the age of 30 he was appointed to command the 51st serving in Ireland, Gibraltar and Corsica until 1796, when he was appointed to command a brigade. He became a Major General in 1797. It was in 1802 at Shorncliffe in Kent that he began to develop further his ideas for the training of infantrymen, grouping regiments to fight together as Light Infantry and eventually forming the Light Division which fought with distinction in the Peninsular War.
Sir John Moore has been described as ‘the greatest trainer of troops that the British Army has ever known’ and ‘the father of the Light Infantry’. He discarded the then existing disciplinary system, largely maintained through fear and brutality which, in his view, also stifled individual initiative, and replaced it with a system based more upon self-discipline, mutual respect and trust. Sir John Moore died at the Battle of Corunna in 1809, but his influence and the concept of the ‘thinking soldier’ have been fundamental to the conduct of Light Infantry ever since. The famous historian Sir Arthur Bryant wrote of him:
‘Moore’s contribution to the British Army was not only that matchless Light Infantry who have ever since enshrined his training, but also the belief that the perfect soldier can only be made by evoking all that is finest in man – physical, mental and spiritual.’
Development of Light Infantry
During the early 19th century it became the practice to grant, as an honour, the much coveted title of Light Infantry, to regiments which particulary distinguished themselves in action. The regiments which were to form the present Light Infantry were all granted this distinction and subsequently incorporated it into the regiment’s name when, in 1881 the system of numbering regiments was discontinued. Those regiments, and the year in which they became Light Infantry, were:
1808 - 68th Foot - The Durham Light Infantry
1809 - 51st Foot - The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
53rd Foot – The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
1822 - 13th Foot – The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s)
1858 - 32nd Foot – The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
The last two amalgamated on 6th October 1959 to form the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry (SCLI).
Regimental Battle Honours
With many Regimental Battle Honours only a small but very important few are displayed on our Regimental Colours and they are:
Gibraltar,1704-5 – Dettingen – St Lucia, 1778 – Dominica – Rolica – Vimiera – Corunna – Salamanca – Pyrenees – Nivelle – Nive – Orthes – Peninsula – Waterloo – Mooltan – Goojerat – Punjab – Sevastopol – Lucknow – Tel-el-kebir – Egypt,1882 – Nile,1884-5 – Paardeberg – South Africa 1899-1902.
Marne,1914 – Ypres,1915-17 – Sommel,1916-18 – Arras,1917 – Passchendale – Cambrai, 1917-18 – Doiran,1917-18 – Gaza 1917,18.
Hill 112 – Mont Pincon – Nederrijn – Geilenkirchen – Rhineland – North West Europe 1940,44-45 – Gazala – Medjez Plain – Cassino II – Incontro, 1944-45.
All the Battle honours are located in the Regimental Magazine, ‘The Silver Bugle’ or on our website.
Recent Operational Deployments
2LI was posted to Northern Ireland at the end of 1996 for a two year residential tour in Belfast. At the beginning of 1999 2LI were then posted to Bulford for an unspecified length of tour. After the summer training as a mechanised battalion the majority of the Battalion commenced Northern Ireland training in earnest in order that we were ready if necessary to deploy to Northern Ireland if needed. Concurrently C Coy trained for a six month tour of Bosnia (Banja Luka)which commenced in October 1999.
In early 2000 A and B Coys completed short tours to Northern Ireland (6 –12 Weeks). In Autumn 2000 the Battalion complete was deployed to Kosovo (Mid Sep – Mid Nov) to cover the elections there. On return 2LI continued with Mechanised training – I must add that during the summers of 1999 and 2000 the Battalion completed both TESEXs’ during deployments. In late May 2001 the Battalion deployed to Sierra Leone for four months to train the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) whilst also providing a presence. On return at the end of Sept 2001 the Battalion commenced with the preparation of Arms Plotting to Cyprus. The Battalion will be complete in Dhekelia approx 20/21 Feb 02. Change of Command Ceremony at present will be on the 14th Feb (TBC). The Commanding Officer is Lt-Col E P Davies MBE (Peter) and he took command at the beginning of 2001 in Bulford.
Adventure Training and Sports
In the past year in between operational deployments there have been two adventure training expeditions. Firstly, Trekking in Venezuela led by Capt Holmes Rogers. Secondly 6 individuals took part in the British Army Antarctic Expedition crewing for leg two between Rio de Janeiro and the Falklands. This winter we have an Alpine downhill ski team and Nordic ski team competing in the Infantry and Army Championships.
Additionally two soldiers are taking part in the Luge in the Army Championships. In April this year we will see a team taking part in the Marathon Des Sables in North Africa. 150 mile endurance race across mixed terrain in extreme temperatures. Additionally two Officer’s are entering individually. Later this year we are entering two 4-man teams in the Cyprus Walk About, the gruelling 60 mile mountain Marathon. Presently the Army No.1 (Maj Winston-Davies) and No.3 (CSjt Nutter) Waterskiiers are either here or about to be posted to 2LI this year in Cyprus. We are hopeful that they will be able to continue their long run of success along with LCpl Hayes who again competes in the Army Surfing Championships this year. 2LI has an up and coming Rugby team which is looking forward to taking part this year in the 10’s competition in June on the Island.
Regimental Magazine
The Regimental Magazine, ‘The Silver Bugle’, is published bi-annually and includes up to date information on both regular battalions as well as keeping us all up to date with all our cadet training teams and associations around the country.
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