THE YPRES TIMES
13
In 1782, the Regiment received the county title of The North Gloucestershire Regiment,
but the first Battalion always reverted to the title of 28th when in action. During
the Great War, the first Battalion always displayed at Battalion Headquarters a small
flag bearing the number 28 surrounded with Battle Honours.
It was in 1801, at the Battle of Alexandria in Egypt that the 28th won its
greatest distinctionthe right to wear the number at the back as well as in front of
the head-dress as the Regiment now wears the Sphink. The Battle of Alexandria
on March 21st decided the fate of Egypt and the morrow saw a change of masters
on the banks of the Nile. Another March the 21st, that of 1918, will always be
remembered by officers and men of the Gloucestershire Regiment, for on that day
started the German Offensive on which hung the fate of the British Empire. One
account of the Battle of Alexandria speaks of that splendid soldier Colonel Paget.
(The Gloucestershire Regiment have always been fortunate in their Commanding
Officers.) "It was completely surrounded by the enemy. It was a crisis of supreme
interest. Annihilation seemed to await the 28th Regiment, but tbe intrepid coolness
of their Commanding Officer (Colonel Paget) and the almost unexampled courage
of his men saved them. The word of command was given "Rear rank, Right About
Face" and obeyed with that calmness and steadiness characteristic of the British
soldier in the moment of peril. The French, not meeting, as they had hoped, a feeble
and disheartened foe, were received by so vigorous and well directed fire that all
their efforts to expel this handful of men from their post were frustrated." These
words remind one of something Lord Napier of Magdala once wrote "With what
majesty the British soldier fights."
In Alison's "History of Europe" there is another account of this action which
ends in this manner "The gallant troops without flinching stood back to back and
maintained this extraordinary contest for a considerable time. Colonel Paget, who
had hitherto directed the proceedings of the Regiment, here fell severely wounded
and the next officer in seniority assumed command." Sir Ralph Abercromby was
wounded amidst the Gloucesters on that day, and was later taken on board the flag
ship of the Fleet where he died after the victory' had been announced to him. He
was buried at Malta, which had been captured by Napoleon in 1798, when he sup
pressed the Knights of Malta, who were revived in 1834 and are with us to-day
under the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
In 1808, the 28th was with Sir John Moore in the immortal retreat to Corunna.
They formed part of the rear guard. Sir John Moore praised their wonderful powers
of endurance and fine discipline. The 28th had an important share in the Battle of
Corunna. That leader of men, Sir John Moore was killed in this battle. During
the battle, he met a Highland Regiment retiring, and asked the reason of the retire
ment, and was told that the ammunition had given out. He rebuked them by remind
ing them that they still had their bayonets, and led them into action again. They
gave a splendid account of themselves. That was leadership. In my opinion, the
British Army owes more to Sir John Moore than to any other soldier. During the
remainder of the Peninsular War, the 28th was present in nearly all the important
battles. After the Battle of Corunna, the 28th returned to England, when the second
Battalion was raised.
In 1811, the 28th absorbed the men of the second Battalion and joined Lord
Wellington's Army. The 28th were not in the Battle of St. Sebastian but a Sergeant
Ball and six grenadiers were present. They had been sent down to buy supplies and
were in charge of 2,000 dollars for that purpose. Hearing that St. Sebastian was
to be stormed on the next day, Sergeant Ball reminded his men that the 28th had
been engaged in almost every action in the Peninsula, and proposed that, for the
credit of the Regiment, they should volunteer for the storming party. His proposition
was met with enthusiasm by the six grenadiers. The money was placed in charge
of an officer. Sergeant Ball and his men fell in with the 9th Regiment, escaped
