THE YPRES TIMES
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In the summer of 1779 when England was again involved in war with France and
Spain, another 85th Regiment of Foot was formed, popularly known as the West
minster Volunteers," and commanded by Colonel the Earl of Harrington. This Regiment
had a brief and very unfortunate existence. After 18 months' service in the West Indies
it embarked in 1782 for home in the fleet of Admiral Graves, and thus came to participate
in one of the most terrible disasters which have ever befallen the British Navy many
of the ships being sunk in a terrible gale in the Atlantic. The remnants of the Regiment
were disbanded in 1783.
In 1793 the existing 85th was formed under the auspices of the first Marquis of
Buckingham, and commanded by his cousin Lieut.-Colonel (afterwards Field Marshal)
Sir George Nugent. It was known as the 85th (Bucks. Volunteers) Regiment of Foot,
and was destined early in its career to become associated with Shropshire, being quartered
in this County in 1794, and again in 1798, after its return from the Netherlands (where
it received the particular thanks of the Commander in Chief for its gallant services
during the actions near Bergen). 1801 saw the 85th taking part in the occupation of the
island of Madeira and after six year's service in the West Indies it was transformed
in 1808 into a Light Infantry Regiment again, thus becoming with the 68th Regiment,
fourth in the order of seniority of the Light Corps. In 1809 it took part in the Walcheron
expedition and the capture of Flushing, and in 1811 proceeded to the Peninsula where
it was in action at Fuentes d'Onor. Having been very much reduced in strength during
this campaign, it was ordered home to recruit, and in 1813 again embarked for the
Peninsula and served there till the war ended in 1814, distinguishing itself at the battles
of Neville and the passage of the Nive. Trouble in America in 1814 found the 85th with
other units being hurried to that continent where it took a particularly active part in
the successful actions at Bladensburg and Baltimore (a diary kept by Lieut.-Gleig of
the 85th is in existence, and gives detailed and personal accounts of all the numerous
incidents during this campaign). Arriving back home in 1815 it was given by Royal
Command the title of 85th (or Duke of York's Own) Regiment of Light Infantry, and the
appropriate motto -Aucto Splendore Resurgo "I rise again with augmented
splendour."
In 1820, when stationed at Brighton and providing guards over the Royal Pavilion,
the story goes, that a hostile demonstration was made against His Majesty, King George
IV. by some of the audience at the theatre. Officers of the 85th were present, and turned
the rioters out, at which His Majesty expressed his approbation and was afterwards
pleased to command that the Regiment should in future bear the title of the 85th or
"King's Light Infantry Regiment," and that the uniform should be faced with Blue
and laced with Silver.
For some sixty years the Regiment saw no active service, being on garrison duty
in many parts of the Empire, but in 1879, it formed part of the field force under Sir
Frederic Roberts, V.C., in Afghanistan, where it served till hostilities ceased. On the
reorganization of the Army in 1881, it was linked with the 53rd Regiment, and in the
following year received the official title of 2nd Battalion The King's (Shropshire
Light Infantry).
On the outbreak of the South African War, in 1899, it immediately proceeded to
the Cape, and served till the end, taking an active part in the capture of General Cronje
and his large force at Paardeberg. It also provided a mounted Infantry Company which
operated from 1900 throughout the war.
At the commencement of the Great War, the Regiment was brought to France
from India, and formed part of the 80th Brigade, which earned for itself the title of
The Stonewall Brigade." St. Julien, Frezenburg and Bellewaarde in the 2nd Battle
of Ypres, brought honours to the Regiment, and in October, 1915, the 80th Brigade
were transported to Salonica, and in the final offensive against the Bulgarians the
Battalion was amongst the first troops to enter the enemy country. Thence it pro
ceeded to Bartoum on the Black Sea, where it did garrison duty until its return to
