XXIVth Regiment of Foot
In the center of each colour is to be painted, or embroidered, in gold
Roman characters, the number of the rank of the regiment, within the
wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk. The second Colour to be
the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the Union in the upper
canton; except those regiments which are faced with red, white, or black.
"The original 24th was raised in March 1689 under various Colonels’ names
until designated the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1751. The regiment arrived for
relief of Quebec in May 1776, serving on operations on Lake Champlain under
their Lieutenant Colonel Simon Fraser. They forced 300+ American soldiers to
surrender. The regiment served in Burgoyne’s Elite Advanced Corps commanded
by the newly appointed Brigadier-General Simon Fraser. The 24th and Advanced
Corps helped haul up the cannons on Mount Defiance that forced the Americans
to evacuate Fort Ticonderoga. The 24th was the first to catch the retreating
Americans at Hubbardton and after defeating them they proceeded to join Burgoyne
on the road to Albany. During the Battles of Saratoga they served with distinction
and bravery. During the first battle on September 19, the 24th cleared the woods
and secured the center of the Army. On October 7 at the Battle of Bemis Heights,
while inspiring his troops, Brigadier-General Simon Fraser was mortally wounded.
Despite the confusion, the regiment and the light Infantry enabled the army to retire
in some semblance of order. Through starvation and enemy harassment, they
surrendered with the rest of the army for the rest of the war. The 24th has had an
extensive record of gallantry and honor through their 300+ years as a regiment.
One of their most distinctive acts was during the Zulu Wars at Rorke’s Drift, where
105 men of the 24th defended their post against 4,000 Zulu warriors, for which the
regiment won 7 Victoria Crosses (equivalent to America’s Medal of Honor). The highest
number to any regiment of the British Army in a single action ever. A movie was made
in 1964 of this action at Rorke’s Drift starring Michael Caine, called 'Zulu.'
Today the regiment is The Royal Regiment of Wales."
Courtesy of Paul Novotny of the re-created 24th Reg t of Foot.
The front [of the drums] to be painted with the colour of the facing
of the regiment, with the King's cypher and crown, and the
number of the regiment under it.
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