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The King's Royal Rifle Corps
amalgamated from the Royal American Regiment, East Kent Mounted Rifles and
the 60th Foot. Battle honours in the Indian Mutiny, Zulu War, Boer War,
Sudan War and both World Wars |
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THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS Raised in 1755 as the 62nd, (Royal American regiment) and in 1757 becoming
the 60th Foot.
Battle Honours
 | 1756 - 1763 Louisbrg, Quebec Martinique, Havannah,
during the Seven years War |
 | 1763 - 1764 Pontiac's Conspiracy in North America. |
 | 1809 Martinique during the Napoleonic wars |
 | 1808 - 1814, Rolica, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentos d'Onoro, Albuhera,
Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria,
Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, during the Peninsula War |
 | 1848 - 1849 Mooltan, Goojerat, Punjaub during the
Second Sikh War |
 | 1851 - 1853 Eighth Kaffir war |
 | 1857 - 1858 Delhi, during the Indian Mutiny |
 | 1857 - 1860 Taku Forts, Pekin during the Second China War |
 | 1877 - 1879 Zulu and Basuto War |
 | 1878 -1880 Ali Masjid, Ahmed Khel, Khandahar during the second Afghan War |
 | 1880 Tel El Kibir, during the Arabi Pasha revolt |
 | 1882 -1884 First Sudan War |
 | 1895 Chitral Campaign |
 | 1899 - 1902 Defence of Ladysmith, relief of Ladysmith during the Boer
war |
 | 1914 - 1918 Mons, Marne, Ypres 1914, 1915 , 1917, 1918, Somme,1916,
1918, Arras 1917, 1918 Messines 1917,
1918 Epehy, Canal du Nord, Selles Sambre |
 | 1939 - 1945 Calais 1940, Rhineland, Egyptian Frontier, 1940, Sidi
Rezegh 1941, Alem el Halfa, El Alamein, Italy 1943,
45, Greece 1941, 1944 - 45 |
VICTORIA CROSS AWARDS TWENTY MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE VICTORIA
CROSS, Eight in the Indian Mutiny, one in the Zulu and Basuto war,
one in Egypt, one in the Sudan war, one in The Boer war, Ten in World War One
and One in the Second World War.
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Lieut. Dimmer Repairing a Machine-Gun While Exposed to the Fire of the Advancing Prussian Guard by Allan Stewart (P)
As the Prussian Guard advanced in massed formation from the cover of a wood at Klein Zillebeke on 12th November 1914, the British machine-guns mowed them down with a storm of bullets. But the gun which Lieutenant John Henry Stephen Dimmer, of 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, was working, suddenly jammed. With great bravery he climbed onto the emplacement to put it in order, and while doing so a rifle bullet struck him in the jaw. He continued, however, to work the gun until it jammed once more, and while putting it in order he was hit in the shoulder. After again getting the gun to work, his injured shoulder was struck by three shrapnel-bullets, but he most gallantly continued working it until it was destroyed by shell-fire. His magnificent courage and tenacity were rewarded with the VC.
Antique print published c.1918. Paper size 11 inches x 8.5 inches (28cm x 22cm). Price £25.00
ITEM CODE ANT0128
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Kings Royal Rifles by Harry Payne.
Open edition print. Image size 7 inches x 12 inches (18cm x 31cm). Price £14.00
ITEM CODE UN0048
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The Kings Royal Rifle Corps by Richard Simkin
Open edition print. Image size 9 inches x 12 inches (23cm x 31cm). Price £14.00
Original chromolithograph published c.1888. Image size 10 inches x 13 inches (25cm x 33cm). Price £140.00
ITEM CODE UN0278
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Lieutenant Brooke Leading An Attack Under Rifle And Machine Gun Fire To Recapture A Lost British Trench.
As Sergeant E. Chappell, of the 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, was working a machine gun during the desperate fighting at Hooge on July 30th 1915, a shell burst on the gun emplacement, completely wrecking it. He thereupon placed on the wreckage of the emplacement and continued firing, but as the tripod of the machine gun was exposed, that in turn was smashed. Lastly, Chappell placed the gun on the parados and worked it till it was put out of action. He then directed the fire of the other machine guns, besides working one himself. Throughout the day he showed great bravery and resource, for which he was awarded the D.C.M.
First World War antique black and white book plate published c.1916-18 of glorious acts of heroism during the Great War. This plate may also have text on the reverse side which does not affect the framed side. Title and text describing the event beneath image as shown. Paper size 10.5 inches x 8.5 inches (27cm x 22cm). Price £13.00
ITEM CODE DTE0317
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60th Foot 1812 by Douglas Anderson
Open edition print. Image size 9 inches x 14 inches (23cm x 36cm). Price £14.00
ITEM CODE UN0225
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60th Anniversary D-Day Poppy Drop by Robin Smith.
Lancaster PA 474 along with Spitfire Mk 356 and AB 910 dropping one million poppies over Mv Van Gough off the coast of Normandy, celebrating the invasion of the Normandy beaches in June 1944. The event was witnessed by veterans of D-Day on board the Van Gough as the Lancaster released the petals from the gaping bomb bay.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 25.5 inches x 19.5 inches (65cm x 49cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Sqn. Ldr. Clive Rowley, Wg. Cdr. Paul Willis and Sqn. Ldr. Stu Reid.
ITEM CODE RS0017
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Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles by Richard Simkin
Open edition print. Image size 6 inches x 10 inches (15cm x 25cm). Price £8.00
ITEM CODE UN0271
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| Lieut. Dimmer Repairing a Machine-Gun While Exposed to
the Fire of the Advancing Prussian Guard by Allan Stewart
As the Prussian Guard advanced in massed formation from the cover
of a wood at Klein Zillebeke on 12th November 1914, the British
machine-guns mowed them down with a storm of bullets. But the gun which
Lieutenant John Henry Stephen Dimmer, of 2nd Battalion King's Royal
Rifle Corps, was working, suddenly jammed. With great bravery he climbed
onto the emplacement to put it in order, and while doing so a rifle
bullet struck him in the jaw. He continued, however, to work the gun
until it jammed once more, and while putting it in order he was hit in
the shoulder. After again getting the gun to work, his injured shoulder
was struck by three shrapnel-bullets, but he most gallantly continued
working it until it was destroyed by shell-fire. His magnificent courage
and tenacity were rewarded with the VC.
Sergeant Chappell Working A
Damaged Machine Gun On A Wrecked Emplacement Under Terrific Fire.
As Sergeant E. Chappell, of the 7th Battalion Kings
Royal Rifle Corps, was working a machine gun during the desperate
fighting at Hooge on July 30th 1915, a shell burst on the gun
emplacement, completely wrecking it.
He thereupon placed on the wreckage of the emplacement and
continued firing, but as the tripod of the machine gun was exposed, that
in turn was smashed. Lastly,
Chappell placed the gun on the parados and worked it till it was put out
of action. He then directed
the fire of the other machine guns, besides working one himself.
Throughout the day he showed great bravery and resource, for
which he was awarded the D.C.M.
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Regimental
Books Available: |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Vol 1 "The Royal Americans" 1755 -
1802. by Lieut Col Lewis Butler.
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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To order your copy: secure
order form
Paperback Book serial number NMP4452.
379
pages. Price £22. |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Vol 2 "The Green Jacket" 1803 -
1830. by Lieut Col Lewis Butler.
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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Paperback Book serial number NMP4460.
340 pages. Price £22. |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Vol 3 "The K.R.R.C." 1831 -
1871. by Lieut Col Lewis Butler.
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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Paperback Book serial number NMP4541.
334 pages. Price £22. |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Vol 4 "The K.R.R.C." 1872 -
1913. by Maj Gen Sir Steuart Hare.
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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Paperback Book serial number NMP455X.
398 pages. Price £22. |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Vol 5 "The Great War". by Maj
Gen Sir Steuart Hare.
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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Paperback Book serial number NMP4568.
505 pages. Price £22. |
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The Annals of the
Kings Royal Rifle Corps : Appendix Volume - Uniform, Armament and
Equipment. by S M Milne and Maj Gen Astley Terry. (1913)
Post: UK- £4.00 (max post for multiple books £6.00).
For Europe £6.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee per
total shipment)
Rest of World £8.00 (each plus one charge of £3.00 recorded fee
per total shipment)
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Paperback Book serial number NMP4576.
52
pages. Price £33. |
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This, like the Rifle Brigade, is one of the exceptional regiments in
the "Army List", in having more than two battalions. At
present it possesses four, the first of which was raised about 1755 in
America, and was composed of Swiss and German Protestants; but, later,
it was increased to four, of which two were twice reduced and restored
before 1788. A fifth battalion was added in 1797, created from
Hompesch's Mounted Rifles and Loewenstein's Chasseurs.
By 1813 there were eight battalions, but after the war they were
reduced to two - the Rifle and the Light Infantry battalions
(originally the 2nd battalion of the force raised in 1795, and the 3rd
of the increase in 1787), to which a third was added during the Crimean
War, and a fourth after it. So mixed, however, were the recruits
in 1824, that in that year it was decided to collect all British-born
subjects into the 1st battalion, leaving the 2nd battalion to the
aliens.
Its glorious battle roll records its valuable services since its
formation, and is a history too lengthy to be more than briefly
summarised. Its first important service was naturally in the
American War of 1757-60, when it saw much continuous frontier
fighting, besides being engaged at Louisburg, Ticonderoga, Quebec,
Abraham Plains, defence of Quebec, and at Montreal; while, interspersed
with active service at Martinique and Havannah, at Jamaica and St
Vincent, it shared materially in the great War of American Independence.
on Hobkirk Hill, Guildford, and York Town; after this other detachments
of the regiment were still employed in the West Indies - at Martinique,
St Lucia, Guadaloupe, Trinidad, and Porto Rico.
Meanwhile the other battalions were earning honours at Surinam in
1804, at Bergen and in Denmark in 1799 and 1807; and especially in the
Peninsula, where the "green jackets" were present at Obidos,
Lorinda, Roleia, Vimiera, Corunna, Douro, Oporto, Talavera, Busaco,
Fuentes d'Onor, Albuhera, Pombal, Casal Nova, Olivenza, Badajoz, El
Bodon, Aldea de Ponte, Arroyo dos Molinos, siege of Ciudad Rodrigo,
escalade of Badajo, Almarez, Fort St Cayetano, Castragon, battles of
Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, St Jean de Luz, Nive, Orthes,
Toulouse, Alba de Tormes, passage of Bidassoa and Adour, Fort St
Michael, Burgos, and Bayonne.
Again in the West Indies in 1809, the regiment appeears at Los
Saintes and Guadaloupe; in Portugal in 1826; and in India between 1846
and 1850, when it served at the siege of Mooltan, at Goojerat, in the
Eusufzie expedition, and against the Afridis.
The then 2nd battalion served also in the Kaffir War of
1851-53. The 1st and 2nd battalions took an active part in
the Mutiny, from the outbreak at Meerut to Hindun and Delhi; with the
Rohilcund and Oude expeditions; at Bareilly, and numerous other
"affairs", and in the jungles of Jugdespur. Soon after
this the 2nd battalion was ent to China, in 1860, and assisted in the
capture of the Taku forts, the occupation of Pekin, and the other
operations that led to peace.
So varied and extensive are the services of the regiment that it is,
as we have said, only possible to enumerate the chief battles in which
it has borne so distinguished a part. Up to 1854 there had been only two
battalions, increased in 1855 to three, and to four in 1856. The
1st battalion took part in the arduous, though bloodless, Red River
Expedition of 1870; the 2nd, in 1878, shared in the Afghan War at Ahmed
Khel, Ghuzni, Arza, and the march to and battle at Kandahar; the 3rd, in
South Africa, fought at Ginghlovo, the relief of Ekowe, and Ulundi; in
the Transvaal at the disastrous skirmish of Ingogo (where Sergeant-Major
Wilkins was specially mentioned for coolness by Sir George Colley); and
in North Africa in the campaign of 1882, when it was under fire at
Tel-el-Mahuta and Kassassin, as well as being in second line at Tel-el-Kebir.
The same battalion also took part in the operations round Suakim, at El-Teb
and Tamai, and, finally, returning again to Egypt proper, shared in the
labours of the Nile Column.
Victoria Crosses have been won in 1857-58 by privates Bambrick,
Divane, Turner, Thompson, Sergeants Waller, and Garvin, Bugler Sutton,
and Lieutenant Heathcote; in 1879 by Captain Redevers H Buller at
Inhlobane during the Zulu War; and in 1884 Lieutenant Scrope
Marling won it at Tamai.
The uniform when General Wolfe, in 1759, gave the regiment its motto
of "Celer et audax" was red with royal blue facings, and so it
remained until the present century, when one battalion at least had
assumed the green jacket; and the whole regiment was clad by 1816 in
"a green jacket with short skirts, lapels lined with red,"
etc. There has been a tradition that the present dark colour of
the jacket was selected as best matching the tint of the foliage of the
cork woods in Spain; but there is no authoritative foundation for the
statement as far as can be gathered. In the "forties"
the pelisse seems to have been worn. The general character of the
dress has necessarily followed that of the British army, colour of
uniform excepted. The facings are red. The button bears the
bugle crowned within a wreath. The Maltese Cross - a survival
possibly of the time when the mounted riflemen of Hompesch, a relation
of the last Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, joined the ranks -
bears the regimental battle roll, as rifle regiments have no colours;
these having been abandoned in 1824, at which time they bore the royal
cypher crowned. The head-dress is of sealskin or astracan, and has
a red and black plume.
The Militia battalions are the Huntingdon, Royal 2nd Middlesex, the
Carlow and North Cork battalions; a 6th battalion, mentioned in some
books, does not appear in the present "Army List", and was
disbanded in 1889.
The Volunteer battalions are the 1st Middlesex - Victoria and St
George's (green with scarlet facings), the 2nd South Middlesex (grey and
scarlet), the 4th Middlesex - West London (ditto); the 5th West
Middlesex and 9th Harrow (grey and scarlet, and green with green facing
respectively); the 12th, Civil Service, and 25th, Bank of England (clad
in grey and blue and in rifle green); the 13th, Queen's Westminster (grey
and scarlet); the 21st Finsbury Rifles (green and scarlet); the 22nd,
Central London Rangers (ditto); and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd City of London
Rifle Volunteer Brigade (green with green facings, green with scarlet,
and scarlet with buff facings, respectively).
Their usual name is the "Royal Rifles", or the "Green
Jackets"; but the regiment was once known as the "Royal
Americans", and to distinguish their dark dress, with red facings,
from the Rifle Brigade, have been called the "Sanguinary (or
B----y) Sweeps". The depot is at Winchester.
Extract from "The British Army and Auxiliary Forces" Colonel
C. Cooper King, R.M.A. , 1894
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