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Royal East Kent Regiment ("The Buffs"); 3rd Regiment of Foot
Cap badge of the regiment
Active1572–1961
Country Kingdom of England (1572–1707)
Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800)
United Kingdom (1801–1961)
Branch British Army
TypeLine Infantry
RoleInfantry
Garrison/HQHowe Barracks, Canterbury
NicknamesHoward's Buffs
The Old Buffs
The Resurrectionists[1]
MottosVeteri Frondescit Honore
Latin: "Its Ancient Honour Flourishes"; "Its Ancient Honour is Ever-Green"
ColoursBuff Facings
MarchQuick: The Buffs
Slow: The Men of Kent
AnniversariesAlbuhera Day (16 May).
EngagementsCorunna (17 January 1809)
Albuhera (16 May 1811)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Colonel Charles Churchill (1689–1707)
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll (1707–1713)
Archibald Douglas, 2nd Earl of Forfar (1713–1715)
Lieutenant-General Thomas Howard (1737–1749)
Colonel Sir George Howard (1749–1763).
Modern stained-glass window in the Buffs' Chapel (Warriors' Chapel) of Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, showing the coats of arms of Queen Elizabeth I and various subsequent Colonels-in-Chief and Colonels, up to the 20th century

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), formerly the 3rd Regiment of Foot, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army traditionally raised in the English county of Kent and garrisoned at Canterbury. It had a history dating back to 1572 and was one of the oldest regiments in the British Army, being third in order of precedence (ranked as the 3rd Regiment of the line). The regiment provided distinguished service over a period of almost four hundred years accumulating one hundred and sixteen battle honours. In 1881, under the Childers Reforms, it was known as the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and later, on 3 June 1935, was renamed the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment).

In 1961, it was amalgamated with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment, which was later merged, on 31 December 1966, with the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, the Royal Sussex Regiment and the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) to form the Queen's Regiment. This regiment was, in turn, amalgamated with the Royal Hampshire Regiment, in September 1992, to create the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires).

History

[edit]

Formation to end 17th century

[edit]
Buckingham, Colonel of the regiment 1673–1682 & 1684–1685

The Dutch fight for independence from Spain in the 1568–1648 Eighty Years' War was supported by Protestants across Europe; the origins of the regiment were Thomas Morgan's Company of Foot, a group of 300 volunteers from the London Trained Bands formed in 1572.[2] In 1586, these English and Scottish volunteer units were brought together in the Anglo-Scots Brigade, which in various formats served in the Dutch military until 1782.[3]

When the Second Anglo-Dutch War started in 1665, the Brigade's units were ordered to swear loyalty to the Stadtholder and those who disobeyed were cashiered. Using his own funds, Sir George Downing, the English ambassador to the Netherlands, raised the Holland Regiment from the starving remnants of those who refused to sign.[4] In 1665, it was known as the 4th (The Holland Maritime) Regiment and by 1668 as the 4th (The Holland) Regiment.[4]

Prince George of Denmark, the regiment's patron from 1689–1708

When the Third Anglo-Dutch War began in 1672, the Duke of Buckingham was authorised to recruit an additional eight companies but the two countries made peace in the February 1674 Treaty of Westminster.[5] These men were incorporated into the Anglo-Scots Dutch Brigade and fought in the 1672–1678 Franco-Dutch War; in November 1688, it accompanied William III to England. It was transferred onto the English military establishment as the "4th The Lord High Admiral's Regiment" and in 1689 became the 3rd (Prince George of Denmark's) Regiment of Foot.[4] During the 1689–1697 Nine Years War, it served in the Low Countries, including the battles of Walcourt, Steenkerque and Landen. It returned to England when the war ended with the 1697 Treaty of Ryswick.[6]

18th century

[edit]

During the War of the Spanish Succession, it served in Marlborough campaigns, including the battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Malplaquet and Oudenarde, before returning to England in August 1714.[7] Until the 1751 reforms, units were commonly named after their current colonel; it reverted to this practice when Prince George of Denmark died in 1708, although it was also referred to as the 'Holland Regiment' or "Buffs" after its coat facings.[8] It was also sometimes called "The Old Buffs", to distinguish it from "The Young Buffs", the 31st Foot.[4]

Apart from the 1719 Vigo expedition, the next 25 years were spent on garrison duty in England and Scotland. It returned to Flanders in 1742 during the War of the Austrian Succession, as Thomas Howard's regiment; to distinguish it from that led by Sir Charles Howard, one became the "Buffs", and the other the Green Howards.[4] It fought at the Battle of Dettingen in June 1743[9] and at the Battle of Fontenoy in May 1745.[10] With the outbreak of the 1745 Rising, it was sent to Scotland, taking part in the Battle of Falkirk Muir in January 1746[11] and Battle of Culloden in April 1746.[12] It returned to the Netherlands in April 1747 and saw action at the Battle of Lauffeld in July.[13]

Following the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, it spent the next ten years on garrison duty in England; in 1751, it was retitled the 3rd Regiment of Foot, "The Buffs".[4] The Seven Years' War began in 1756; in autumn 1758, the regiment was posted to the West Indies, taking part in the January 1759 attacks on Martinique and Guadeloupe.[14] After returning home, it took part in the capture of Belle Île in June 1761.[15] It then moved to Portugal and fought at the Battle of Valencia de Alcántara in August 1762[16] before returning to England in spring 1771.[17]

French Revolutionary Wars

[edit]
The Battle of Albuera by William Barnes Wollen. The Buffs at the Battle of Albuera in May 1811 during the Peninsular War

The regiment was sent to the West Indies in December 1795 for service in the French Revolutionary Wars.[18] It took part in the capture of Grenada in March 1796[19] and of Saint Vincent in June 1796[20] and the capture of Trinidad in February 1797[21] and of various other islands in March 1801[22] before returning home in autumn 1802.[23]

Napoleonic Wars

[edit]

The regiment embarked for Portugal in August 1808 for service in the Peninsular War.[24] The grenadier company of the regiment served under Sir John Moore at the Battle of Corunna in January 1809 before being evacuated to England later that month.[25] The rest of the regiment remained on the Peninsula and fought at the Battle of Talavera in July 1809[26] and the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810 before falling back to the Lines of Torres Vedras.[27]

It then saw action at the Battle of Albuera in May 1811[28] and the Battle of Vitoria in June 1813.[29] At Albuhera the regiment suffered heavy losses (about 400 out of 728) when caught in open order during a hail/rain storm by charging Polish lancers and French hussars.[30]

Following Vitoria the Buffs then pursued the French Army into France and fought at the Battle of the Pyrenees in July 1813,[31] the Battle of Nivelle in November 1813[32] and the Battle of the Nive in December 1813[33] as well as the Battle of Orthez in February 1814 and the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814.[34] It became part of the Army of Occupation of France in 1816 before returning home in autumn 1818.[35]

The Victorian era

[edit]

The regiment had a tour of service from 1821 until 1827 in the British colony of New South Wales. For the duration of their service, The Buffs was divided into four detachments. The first was based in Sydney from 1821. The second arrived in Hobart in 1822. The third, entitled "The Buffs' Headquarters", arrived in Sydney in 1823. The fourth, arrived in Sydney in 1824, but variously saw service throughout the colonies, being stationed at Port Dalrymple, Parramatta, Liverpool, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Bathurst. The regiment reunited and was transferred to Calcutta in 1827. During their service in New South Wales, The Buffs was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel W. Stewart and Lieutenant Colonel C. Cameron.[36] The regiment also saw action at the siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854 during the Crimean War.[4]

In 1858, the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Malta. Lieutenant John Cotter, Adjutant of the 2nd Buffs,[37] would shout "Steady, The Buffs!", a phrase which has entered common parlance.[4] The 1st Battalion saw action in the Taku Forts action during the Second Opium War as well as in the Perak War[38] while the 2nd Battalion saw action in the Anglo-Zulu War.[39]

The regiment was not fundamentally affected by the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, which gave it a depot at Canterbury Barracks from 1873, or by the Childers reforms of 1881 – as it already possessed two battalions, there was no need for it to amalgamate with another regiment.[40] Under the reforms the regiment became the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) on 1 July 1881.[41] The East Kent Militia became the regiment's 3rd (Militia) Battalion (1881–1953) and its short-lived 4th (Militia) Battalion (1881–1888). At the same time two Kent rifle volunteer corps were redesignated as the 1st Volunteer Battalion and 2nd (The Weald of Kent) Volunteer Battalion of the Buffs.[4]

Memorial to Captain Naunton Henry Vertue of the 2nd Battalion who died at Spion Kop in January 1900

The 1st Battalion saw action in the Anglo-Egyptian War, was from 1885 stationed at Malta, then moved to India where it saw several postings, including in Shwebo in inland Burma until late 1902 when it moved to Poona.[42]

The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 1st Volunteer (Militia) Battalion and 2nd Volunteer (Weald of Kent) Battalion all saw action during the Second Boer War[43] with Captain Naunton Henry Vertue of the 2nd Battalion serving as brigade major to the 11th Infantry Brigade under Major General Edward Woodgate at the Battle of Spion Kop where he was mortally wounded in January 1900.[44]

Following the end of the war in South Africa in June 1902, 540 officers and men of the 2nd battalion returned to the United Kingdom on the SS St. Andrew leaving Cape Town in early October, and the battalion was subsequently stationed at Dover.[45]

In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the Territorial Force and the latter the Special Reserve;[46] the regiment now had one Reserve and two Territorial battalions.[47][48]

First World War

[edit]
See also: List of battalions of the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) § First World War

For service in the First World War, ten additional battalions were raised.[49]

Regular Army

[edit]

The 1st Battalion was based in Fermoy as part of the 16th Brigade in the 6th Division until 12 August 1914 when it moved to Cambridge before landing in France on 8 September 1914.[50] The 2nd Battalion returned from Madras in December 1914 and remained in England as part of the 85th Brigade in the 28th Division; meanwhile the 3rd Battalion remained in Canterbury as a training unit.[49]

Territorial Force

[edit]

The 1/4th Battalion sailed for India in October 1914 while the 1/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion sailed for India in October 1914 and then transferred to Mesopotamia in November 1915.[49] The 2/4th Battalion, the 2/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion, the 3/4th Battalion and the 3/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion all remained in England throughout the war while the 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion was formed in Egypt in February 1917 and then transferred to France as part of the 230th Brigade in the 74th Division.[49]

New Armies

[edit]
Monument to The Buffs in Canterbury
Memorial to Private A. Webb who died on 8 February 1919

The 6th (Service) Battalion, 7th (Service) Battalion, 8th (Service) Battalion and 9th (Reserve) Battalion were all formed for active service in France.[49] Corporal William Richard Cotter was awarded the VC whilst serving with the 6th (Service) Battalion.[51]

After the end of the First World War, a small number of men from several battalions saw action during the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919.[38]

Second World War

[edit]
See also: List of battalions of the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) § Second World War

The 1st Battalion served in many different brigades and divisions, mainly with British Indian Army units, and fought in many different battles and campaigns such as the North African Campaign, the Italian Campaign and the Battle of Anzio when they were a part of 18th Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division where they were involved in some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The 18th Brigade returned to the 1st Armoured Division in August 1944 but, on 1 January 1945, the division was disbanded and 18th Brigade was broken up and used as replacements for other units. The 1st Buffs spent the rest of the war with the 24th Guards Brigade attached to the 56th (London) Infantry Division. With the 56th Division, the battalion fought in Operation Grapeshot, the final offensive in Italy which effectively ended the campaign in Italy.[52]

The 2nd Battalion was sent to France in 1940 with the 132nd Infantry Brigade attached to the 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division to join the British Expeditionary Force and fought in the short but fierce Battle of Dunkirk, after which it was evacuated back to Britain. The 44th Division was sent to fight in the North African Campaign, where it was broken up due to an apparently poor performance in the Battle of Alam el Halfa despite the division having just the 132nd Brigade under command as other brigades had been detached to other divisions. The 132nd Brigade disbanded and 2nd Buffs was then transferred to the Far East with the 26th Indian Infantry Brigade and remained there for the war. In 1944, the brigade was redesignated the 26th British Infantry Brigade, which itself became part of the 36th British Infantry Division and served with the British Fourteenth Army in the Burma Campaign.[53]

The 4th Battalion Buffs was a 1st Line Territorial Army unit that served with the BEF in France 1940. The battalion was transferred to the island of Malta in 1941 and served throughout the siege. The battalion then joined the 234th Infantry Brigade, which took part in the disastrous Battle of Leros in an attempt to capture the Dodecanese Islands in late 1943. The brigade and other Allied forces, mainly Italian, attempted to hold the island from the Germans, but without success. This was due mainly to German air superiority as the Allies had very few planes to cover them. The 234th Brigade Commander, Robert Tilney, ordered the surrender after many days of resistance and hard fighting.[54]

The 5th Battalion was reformed in 1939 as a 2nd Line duplicate of the 4th Battalion when the Territorial Army was doubled in size. Initially, the 5th Buffs was assigned to the 37th Infantry Brigade, part of the 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division, which was a 2nd Line duplicate of the 44th (Home Counties) Division. However, on 26 October 1939, it was transferred to the Division's 36th Infantry Brigade in exchange for the 2/6th East Surreys.[55][56] The 5th Buffs, along with the 6th and 7th Royal West Kents, remained in the 36th Brigade for the rest of the war. Like the 2nd and 4th Battalions, it served with the BEF in France in 1940 and fought in the Battle of France and was evacuated at Dunkirk. The 12th Division suffered heavy casualties due mainly to most of the men having little training and the division having no artillery or support units. After returning to England, the division was disbanded in July 1940, due to the casualties it had sustained. In 1942, the 36th Brigade was assigned to the newly raised 78th Division and took part in Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa, followed by the campaign in Tunisia, where the 78th Division, as part of the British First Army, distinguished itself during the crucial capture of Longstop Hill.[57] The division then fought in the Sicilian Campaign, as part of the British Eighth Army. The 5th Buffs and the rest of 78th Division then took part in the fighting in Italy and served there until the 1945 Offensive.[58]

The Buffs also raised many more battalions during the war, mainly for home defence or as training units. None, save the 7th and 11th Battalions, saw active service overseas. The 7th and 11th Battalions were raised in 1940 and were converted to the 141st Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and the 89th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery in 1941 due to the shortage of armoured troops and artillery in the British Army.[59][60]

Post-War

[edit]
Badge of the Buffs as shown on the grave of Private P.M. Godden, who died in 1947, at Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong

When the Territorial Army was reformed in 1947 the 4th and 5th Buffs were merged into a single battalion. In 1956 410 (Kent) Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery, was converted to the infantry role and became 5th Buffs.[61][62][63][64][65]

In 1961, the regiment was amalgamated with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment, which was later merged, on 31 December 1966, with the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, the Royal Sussex Regiment and the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) to form the Queen's Regiment. This, in turn, was amalgamated with the Royal Hampshire Regiment, in September 1992, to create the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires).[66]

Regimental museum

[edit]

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) still has some exhibits at Beaney House, although most of the collection was subsumed into the National Army Museum in 2000.[67][68]

Colonels-in-Chief

[edit]

The Colonels-in-Chief were as follows:[4]

Colonels

[edit]

The Colonels were as follows:[4]

The Holland Regiment
Prince George of Denmark's Regiment (1689–1708)
Named after the current Colonel or The Buffs (1708–1751)
3rd Regiment of Foot, or The Buffs – (1751)
3rd (the East Kent) Regiment of Foot – (1782)
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) – (1881)
The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) – (1935)

Notable soldiers

[edit]
  • During the Battle of Albuhera. On 16 May 1811, Ensign Thomas, carried the Regimental Colour: he was shot dead and the colour captured but later retrieved. The King's Colour was carried by Lieutenant Matthew Latham. He was attacked by several French hussars, one of whom seizing the flag-staff, and rising in his stirrup, aimed a stroke at the head of the gallant Latham, which failed in cutting him down, but which sadly mutilated him, severing one side of the face and nose; he still however, struggled with the dragoon, and exclaimed, "I will surrender it only with my life." A second sabre struck severing his left arm and hand, in which he held the staff, from his body. Latham, however, then seized the staff with his right hand, throwing away his sword, and continued to struggle with his opponents, now increased in number; when ultimately thrown down, trampled upon and pierced by the spears of the Polish lancers, his last effort was to tear the flag from the staff as he thus lay prostrate, and to thrust it partly into the breast of his jacket where it was later found:[70] the action is commemorated in silver by "The Latham Centrepiece" first produced in 1872 by S Smith & Co King St Covent Garden, now in the Regimental museum.[71][72]
  • During the Battle of Taku Forts, Private John Moyse was captured: he was later executed by Chinese soldiers for refusing to kow-tow to a local mandarin. His act of defiance was later immortalised in The Private of the Buffs, a poem by Sir Francis Hastings Doyle.[73]
  • Among the small garrison of 1879 Rorke's Drift (Zulu Land) was Sgt Frederick Milne (2260) 2nd Battalion, The Buffs. Said to have found and retrieved the watercart during the night. He survived the battle and soon left the service.[74]
  • Colonel Richard S. Hawks Moody CB. Moody was a distinguished officer, and later a historian, of the Regiment. Moody was second in command of the Regiment when it was sent to relieve the Siege of Malakand in 1897,[75] for which he was mentioned in dispatches,[75] and during which he fought alongside Winston Churchill, who mentions him in Chapter XII (At Inayat Kila) of his history of the conflict, The Story of the Malakand Field Force.[76] Moody served with the Regiment in the Chitral Expedition, in which he was part of General William Forbes Gatacre's flying column.[75] He subsequently became a Military Knight of Windsor, and, during his occupation of this office, and at the request of the Regiment,[77] he wrote The Historical Records of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 3rd Regiment of Foot, 1914–1919, which was published in 1923.[78][79] He gave the first copy of the book to the Royal Library, Windsor, in 1922.[80]
  • The war artist Ernest Stafford Carlos was commissioned into the 8th Battalion in 1916, arriving in the Artois sector of the Western Front early in 1917. His sketches, cartoons and paintings record life in and behind the lines at that time. He was killed in action during the Battle of Messines on 14 or 15 June 1917 while his unit was assaulting a German held spoil heap near Zillebeke in Flanders, a feature that became known as "Buff's Bank". He is buried close to the battlefield at Chester Farm Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.[81]
  • Among the soldiers in the 10th Battalion, one soldier showed bravery in the Battle of Épehy on 18 September 1918. This was Private Percy James Fellows, a Lewis gunner who was mortally wounded while facing the enemy. He was serving with the 230th Brigade of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division. He died of wounds suffered during the Final Advance in Artois on 13 October 1918.[82]
  • Bernard George Ellis was awarded the Albert Medal in 1918. This was transferred to a George Cross in 1971.[83]
  • Captain William Douglas-Home, who served in the 7th battalion in the Second World War, refused to obey orders, because he feared that thousands of French civilians would be killed, and was duly imprisoned for this: after the war he became a successful playwright.[84]

Freedom of the City of London

[edit]

The regiment was awarded the Freedom of the City of London, giving them the right to march through the city.[4]

Battle honours

[edit]

The honours in bold were worn on the Colours.[48]

  • Earlier Wars
    • Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Dettingen, Guadeloupe 1759, Douro, Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Punniar, Sevastopol, Taku Forts, South Africa 1879, Chitral, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, South Africa 1900–02
  • First World War:
    • Aisne 1914, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1915 '17, Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Hooge 1915, Loos, Somme 1916 '18, Albert 1916 '18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Thiepval, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916 '18, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Messines 1917, Pilckem, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917 '18, St. Quentin, Avre, Amiens, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Épéhy, St. Quentin Canal, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18, Struma, Doiran 1918, Macedonia 1915–18, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell 'Asur, Palestine 1917–18, Aden, Tigris 1916, Kut al Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1915–18
  • Second World War:
    • Defence of Escaut, St. Omer-La Bassée, Withdrawal to Seine, North-West Europe 1940, Sidi Suleiman, Alem Hamza, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, El Agheila, Advance on Tripoli, Tebaga Gap, El Hamma, Akarit, Djebel Azzag 1943, Robaa Valley, Djebel Bech Chekaoui, Heidous, Medjez Plain, Longstop Hill 1943, North Africa 1941–43, Centuripe, Monte Rivoglia, Sicily 1943, Termoli, Trigno, Sangro, Anzio, Cassino I, Liri Valley, Aquino, Rome, Trasimene Line, Coriano, Monte Spaduro, Senio, Argenta Gap, Italy 1943–45, Leros, Middle East 1943, Malta 1940–42, Shweli, Myitson, Burma 1945

Victoria Cross

[edit]

The following members of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross:

Uniform and insignia

[edit]
Soldier of the 3rd Foot in 1742

In 1667 the Holland Regiment is recorded as wearing "red jackets lined with yellow". Subsequently, Nathan Brook's Army List of 1684 referred to "Coated red, lined with a flesh colour". This marked the beginning of the historic association of the regiment with buff facings (a dull-yellow colour). A notice in the London Gazette of 21 January 1685 describing the clothing of three deserters from what was still the Holland Regiment, referred for the first time to the colour buff:"a new Red Coat lin'd with a Buff colour'd lining, surtout Sleeves, cross Pockets with three scallops, large plain pewter Buttons, Breeches of the same colour as the Coat lining".[85]

An illustration of the Colonel's colour in 1707 shows a dragon on a buff background, following the award of this distinctive symbol to the regiment as "a reward for its gallant conduct on all occasions"; according to the Army historian Richard Cannon in a book published in 1839. The dragon was believed to have been adopted as it was one of the supporters of the royal arms of Elizabeth I, who issued the warrant for the raising of the regiment in 1572.[86] Through the remainder of the 18th century both the dragon and the buff facings (worn on cuffs, lapels and coat linings) remained as particular distinctions of the regiment. A Royal Warrant of 1751 standardising all colours (flags), badges and uniforms listed the "3rd Regiment, or The Buffs".[86] The Buffs were at this time the only infantry regiment to owe their official title to their facing colours. The green dragon was recorded in the same document as the "ancient badge" of the Buffs – displayed as a woven or painted device on the mitre cap of the Regiment's grenadiers, the colours and the drums.[86]

In 1881, the reorganisation of most infantry regiments on a territorial basis under the Childers Reforms led to the newly renamed "The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)" losing its buff facings in favour of the white collars and cuffs intended to distinguish all non-Royal English and Welsh regiments.[87] The dragon survived as part of the (now metal) headdress badge, although replaced on collars by the white horse of Kent.[88] The horse had been the insignia of the East Kent Militia, which formed the 3rd battalion of the new regiment. Both changes were unpopular within the regiment, and in 1887 the Buffs were authorised to convert the white facings on their scarlet tunics to buff – at the regiment's expense and using a pipeclay mixture developed by an officer of the 2nd Battalion.[89] In 1890 buff was officially restored as the regimental colour on flags, tunics and mess jackets.[90] On 23 May 1894 approval was given for the dragon to be resumed as the collar badge.[91]

For the rest of its existence as a separate entity, both dragon badge and buff facings remained as primary distinctions of the regiment. This was the case even on the simplified dark blue "No. 1 Dress" worn by most of the British Army as full dress after World War II, although the buff colour was here reduced to piping edging the shoulder straps.[92]

Alliances

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See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the , originating from a company raised in 1572 by Captain Thomas Morgan in the during the , and formally incorporated into the English in 1665 as the Holland Regiment. It earned its nickname "The Buffs" in the early due to its distinctive buff-colored facings on uniforms, and was designated the 3rd Regiment of Foot in 1751, later becoming the East Regiment in 1782 and gaining the "Royal" prefix in 1935. One of the oldest regiments in continuous existence, it served in nearly every major British conflict from the onward, including the Jacobite Rebellions, American War of Independence, , , Boer Wars, and both World Wars, before amalgamating with the Queen's Own Royal West Regiment in 1961 to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Regiment. The regiment's early history is tied to English service in the , where Morgan's company fought at battles such as in 1572 and Steenwijk in 1580–1581, before being reorganized under the British Crown following the Restoration in 1660. By the late 17th century, it participated in the and the , earning renown during the with distinguished service at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), Oudenarde (1708), and the costly Malplaquet (1709). In the 18th and 19th centuries, The Buffs saw action in the Seven Years' War, the (including the defense of New York in 1776), and the , notably at Corunna (1809), Talavera (1809), Albuera (1811)—where it lost its colors—and the , though it missed Waterloo due to duties in . The regiment's depot was established in in 1873, solidifying its ties to East for recruitment, and it accumulated numerous battle honors, including for the Crimean War's , the Zulu War's Battle of Inyezane (1879), and the Second Boer War's Paardeberg (1900). During the World Wars, The Buffs expanded significantly, raising 12 battalions for service on the Western Front, in Salonika, and , suffering over 5,600 fatalities, and contributing to campaigns in the , , and Burma in , where the 2nd Battalion endured heavy fighting at (1942) and the Shweli River (1944), with total losses exceeding 1,300 men. Members of the regiment received multiple Victoria Crosses for valor, such as those awarded to Private at (1855), Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Francis Maude at the , (1855), and Corporal James Smith during the Mohmand Campaign (1897). Post-1945, it served in roles in , , , and until the 1961 merger, after which its traditions continued through subsequent amalgamations into the in 1992. The regiment's legacy is preserved at the and the former Royal Museum of The Buffs in , with a memorial in Cathedral's Warriors' Chapel.

History

Origins and formation

The origins of The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) trace back to 1572, when a company of approximately 300 English volunteers, drawn from London's Trained Bands, was raised by Captain Thomas Morgan to support Protestant Dutch rebels against Spanish forces during the . This unit, known as Thomas Morgan's Company of Foot, served in the for over seven decades, with its survivors later incorporating into exiled contingents following the . In 1665, amid the Second Anglo-Dutch War and shortly after the Restoration of Charles II, these veterans from disbanded English regiments in Dutch service were re-formed in England as the Holland Regiment, designated the 3rd Regiment of Foot on the establishment. The regiment's initial structure comprised a single organized into six companies of about 106 men each, functioning as a standard unit equipped for continental warfare. Early leadership included Robert Sidney, appointed on 31 May 1665, and subsequent figures such as Sir Edward Hales, who commanded during the regiment's formative years in the late 1660s. The regiment earned its enduring nickname "The Buffs" in the 1660s due to the distinctive buff-colored coats worn by its soldiers, a practical choice reflecting their Dutch service heritage and later standardized as buff facings on uniforms. By 1782, under reforms linking regiments to specific counties for recruitment, the unit was territorially affiliated with East , becoming known as the 3rd (or East ) Regiment of Foot and drawing primarily from that region thereafter. This association was formalized as The Buffs (East ) in 1881 under the , with the "Royal" prefix added on 3 June 1935 in recognition of loyal service, completing its title as The Buffs (Royal East ).

17th and 18th century campaigns

During the (1688–1697), the regiment, then designated Prince George of Denmark's Regiment, served in the under Allied command, participating in key engagements including the Battle of Walcourt on 25 August 1689, where it contributed to the Allied victory over French forces led by Marshal d'Humières; the Battle of Steenkerke on 3 August 1692, a hard-fought Allied assault against entrenched French positions under Marshal Luxembourg; and the on 29 July 1693, another bloody confrontation resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. These campaigns established the regiment's reputation for resilience in continental warfare, though they also incurred significant losses amid the prolonged conflict against Louis XIV's armies. In the (1701–1714), the regiment returned to as part of the Duke of Marlborough's forces, fighting at the decisive on 13 August 1704, where it helped secure a major Allied triumph that crippled French ambitions in the region, and the on 23 May 1706, contributing to the rapid collapse of French control in the . For its gallantry during these operations, the regiment was awarded a distinctive emblem as a in 1707 by Queen Anne, symbolizing its Tudor origins and service; this badge, depicted on a buff background, became a enduring regimental distinction. The war saw the regiment engaged in further actions such as Oudenarde (1708) and Malplaquet (1709), reinforcing its role in Britain's grand strategy against French hegemony. The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) brought the regiment back to the Continent, where its 1st Battalion participated in the Battle of Dettingen on 27 June 1743—the last battle personally led by a reigning British monarch, King George II—forming part of the Allied infantry that repelled French advances along the Main River. It also fought at the Battle of Fontenoy on 11 May 1745, advancing up a steep incline into French lines under Lieutenant-General Sir George Howard's command and later holding Vezon Churchyard as rearguard during the Allied withdrawal, suffering heavy losses in one of the era's most grueling infantry clashes. These engagements highlighted the regiment's discipline amid tactical setbacks, earning it the nickname "Old Buffs" to distinguish it from newer units with similar facings. During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), under Colonel Sir George Howard (who served in that role from 1749 to 1763 and later rose to field marshal), the regiment saw action in amphibious operations, including the capture of Guadeloupe in 1759 and the expedition to Belle Île in 1761, while a second battalion was raised in 1756 (later becoming the 61st Foot). In the American War of Independence (1775–1783), the regiment deployed to North America, arriving in Charleston, South Carolina, in March 1781 as reinforcements for British forces in the southern theater, where it engaged in defensive operations against Patriot advances amid the conflict's grueling guerrilla warfare. Throughout the 18th century, the regiment's structure evolved with the 1751 numbering system designating it the 3rd Regiment of Foot, incorporating buff-colored facings that reinforced its longstanding nickname derived from its uniform; it also undertook early garrison duties in the West Indies and Europe to maintain readiness between major campaigns.

French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

During the , the 3rd Regiment of Foot, known as the Buffs, was deployed to in 1793 as part of the Allied coalition against Republican . The regiment embarked from in but encountered delays, spending four months at sea, which led to a outbreak among the ranks. After landing at , the Buffs joined the Duke of York's army and participated in the early campaigns, including the Battle of Famars on 23 May 1793, where British, Austrian, and Hanoverian forces successfully invested the French-held fortress of . The regiment endured the grueling conditions of the 1794-1795 winter retreat from the , suffering heavy losses from disease, exposure, and combat; by April 1795, only 302 fit men returned to out of approximately 900 who had departed. In , elements of the Buffs took part in the Anglo-Russian expedition to , aimed at supporting anti-French forces and disrupting Dutch naval power. The campaign proved disastrous due to poor coordination, harsh weather, and determined , culminating in a retreat from the Helder peninsula after defeats at and . The regiment's involvement highlighted the challenges of amphibious operations and warfare, with significant casualties from battle and illness forcing a withdrawal to by November. These experiences in and underscored the Buffs' resilience in continental deployments, building on precedents from earlier 18th-century European conflicts. The saw the Buffs heavily engaged in the as part of the Duke of Wellington's army. The 1st Battalion arrived in in August 1808, initially serving in rear-guard duties before joining Sir John Moore's Corunna campaign. The grenadier company participated in the arduous retreat to Corunna in late 1808-early 1809, enduring starvation and harassment; at the on 16 January 1809, the regiment helped cover the embarkation, suffering losses including 103 men to fever earlier at the River. After evacuation to and reorganization, the Buffs returned to the Peninsula in 1810, fighting at Albuera on 16 May 1811 as part of the 2nd Division. In this bloody encounter against Soult's French forces, the regiment endured catastrophic casualties—100 killed and 229 wounded out of over 500 men—while defending the colors, which were temporarily lost but recaptured by nearby fusiliers. Reinforced by drafts from the 2nd Battalion, including around 300 men in 1811, the Buffs continued service under Wellington, participating in the pursuit of the French after Salamanca and engaging at Vitoria on 21 June 1813, where they helped rout Joseph Bonaparte's army with minimal casualties in Sir John Byng's brigade. The regiment advanced into southern France, fighting at the Battle of Toulouse on 10 April 1814, a hard-fought victory that contributed to the Peninsular campaign's end, earning battle honors for Orthes and Toulouse. During these years, the Buffs adapted tactically by incorporating light companies for skirmishing roles, though specialized rifle units remained with dedicated formations like the 95th Rifles; this evolution emphasized flexible infantry tactics against French columns and voltigeurs. In the of 1815, the Buffs sailed from but arrived too late for the on 18 June, landing at in July and subsequently marching to as part of the Army of Occupation. The regiment remained in until 1818, enforcing the peace before returning to Britain and . Post-war, the 1st Battalion was dispatched to garrison duties in in 1814—interrupted by Waterloo but resumed afterward—amid tensions from the , and later served in the Mediterranean, including , to secure British interests in the region. These deployments reflected the Buffs' transition from active campaigning to imperial policing in the war's aftermath.

Victorian era service

Following the Napoleonic Wars, the 3rd Regiment of Foot, known as the Buffs, undertook garrison duties in the Australian colony of New South Wales from 1821 to 1827, where detachments were stationed in Sydney, Hobart, Parramatta, Newcastle, and Port Jackson to maintain order and guard convicts in the expanding penal settlements. Upon return to Britain, the regiment was posted to India for 17 years of garrison service from 1827 to 1844, performing routine duties across various presidencies amid the consolidation of British colonial administration. The Buffs saw active combat in the (1853–1856), deploying to the theater where they participated in the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) and endured the harsh winter conditions that claimed many lives from disease and exposure; the regiment also fought at the on 5 November 1854, helping repel a Russian surprise attack in dense fog that resulted in heavy British casualties but preserved the allied lines east of Sevastopol. In response to the Indian Mutiny (1857–1858), the regiment raised a 2nd in August 1857 under Colonel to bolster British forces suppressing the rebellion, contributing to the restoration of order in northern though specific engagements for the Buffs were limited to support roles. The 2nd Battalion later served in the (1879), forming part of the British No. 1 Column under Colonel that invaded Zululand in January 1879, including a victory at the Battle of Inyezane on 22 January 1879 where it repelled Zulu forces; after the disaster at on 22 January, the Buffs helped defend against Zulu assaults until relieved in April, earning battle honors for their role in securing the northern flank during the campaign's early phases. During the Second Boer War (1899–1902), the 2nd Battalion deployed to , arriving in January 1900 and joining the relief of Kimberley; it fought at the (18–27 February 1900), contributing to the surrender of Piet Cronjé's forces, and later actions including the advance to and operations in the Transvaal, suffering around 500 casualties and earning multiple battle honors. The 1st Battalion remained in during this period. The of the 1870s introduced linked battalions to the , pairing regular units with depots for localized training and ; the Buffs, already possessing two battalions since 1857, adapted by establishing a depot at in to facilitate this structure without major restructuring. Under the subsequent of 1881, the regiment was renamed The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), formalizing its longstanding territorial affiliation with East and emphasizing from locals to foster regional identity and improve enlistment efficiency, while avoiding amalgamation with another unit due to its existing dual-battalion setup.

First World War

Upon the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) expanded significantly from its pre-war establishment of two regular battalions to a total of 15 battalions, incorporating regular, , and units to meet the demands of . The Territorial Force contributions included battalions such as the 1/4th and 1/5th, while New Army formations encompassed the 6th, 7th, and 8th (Service) Battalions, raised as part of Kitchener's volunteer effort; later Kitchener units like the 11th and 12th Battalions further augmented the regiment's strength. This growth drew upon the regiment's longstanding recruitment base in , enabling rapid mobilization of local volunteers into these new formations. The regiment's battalions served across multiple theaters, with significant engagements on the Western Front where regular and service battalions endured the rigors of . The 1st Battalion participated in the defense during the Second in 1915, holding lines against gas attacks and counteroffensives, while later actions included the 8th Battalion's assaults at the in 1916 and contributions to the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917, marked by intense artillery barrages and mud-choked advances. Beyond France and Flanders, the 6th Battalion deployed to the from 1915 to 1916, facing harsh terrain and disease in the landings and subsequent stalemate. Other units, including elements of the , served in the Salonika Campaign from 1916 to 1918, conducting operations against Bulgarian forces in the amid logistical challenges and outbreaks. In the war's final phase, several Buffs battalions played a key role in the of 1918, advancing through the breaking German lines in a series of coordinated attacks that contributed to the on 11 November. Overall, the regiment suffered approximately 6,000 fatalities from a total of around 32,000 men who served, reflecting the heavy toll of prolonged combat across these fronts.

Second World War

During the Second World War, the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) expanded to over ten battalions, including regular, territorial, and newly raised units (with eight additional battalions formed), serving across multiple theaters from to . These formations adapted to diverse roles, from assaults in desert and to armored support with flame-throwing tanks, reflecting the regiment's evolution from its First World War experiences on the Western Front. The battalions collectively earned battle honors for engagements in , , , and Burma, sustaining significant casualties amid the global conflict. The 2nd Battalion deployed to France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force's 44th (Home Counties) Division, fighting in the before participating in the , where it suffered heavy losses but was successfully withdrawn. Reformed and redeployed to in 1942 with the 132nd Infantry Brigade, the battalion engaged in the , contributing to the Allied victory that marked a turning point in the desert campaign. Later transferred to the , it joined the 36th Infantry Division for the from 1944 to 1945, conducting jungle operations against Japanese forces in arduous terrain. Similarly, the 4th and 5th Territorial Battalions, part of the 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division, served in the BEF and endured the 1940 retreat to , with both units facing intense rearguard actions. The 4th Battalion then garrisoned during the prolonged siege from 1941 to 1942, enduring heavy aerial bombardment, before transferring to the Islands; it was captured almost in entirety during the German airborne assault on in , resulting in over 1,000 prisoners. The 5th Battalion, after Dunkirk, participated in —the Allied landings in in November 1942—as part of the 78th (Battleaxe) Infantry Division's 36th Infantry Brigade, advancing through and capturing key positions like Longstop Hill in the pivotal 1943 campaign that ended Axis presence in the region. In the Mediterranean theater, the 5th Battalion continued with the 78th Division, landing in during Operation Husky in July 1943 and then spearheading the Italian Campaign via the landings in that September, where it helped secure the beachhead against fierce German counterattacks. The battalion fought through the grueling advance up the , including assaults around in early 1944 as part of the effort to breach the Gustav Line, enduring harsh winter conditions and intense defensive fire. Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion, stationed in at the war's outset, joined the 18th Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division for North African operations from 1942, including the pursuit after , before shifting to in 1943; it participated in the landings in January 1944 and the final spring offensive, Operation Grapeshot, in April 1945, which contributed to the collapse of German forces in . The 7th Battalion, raised in 1940, converted to the 141st Regiment (The Buffs) in 1941 to address shortages in specialized armor, equipping with flamethrower tanks for close-support roles. This unit landed in shortly after D-Day in June 1944 as part of the 79th Armoured Division, providing vital flame support to infantry during operations like and the push through the in 1945, where its armored adaptation proved decisive in clearing fortified positions. Other battalions, such as the 6th, 8th through 11th, and 30th, focused on home defense, , and duties in the UK, with most disbanding by 1944 as the invasion of Europe progressed. Overall, the regiment's wartime strength peaked at around 10,000 men across its formations, with losses exceeding 1,500 killed or captured in major actions like and the desert campaigns, underscoring its contributions to Allied victories.

Post-1945 operations and amalgamation

Following the end of the Second World War, the 1st Battalion of the Buffs undertook occupation duties in from 1945 to 1947 as part of the , focusing on efforts, maintaining order, and supporting reconstruction in the British zone. The battalion then returned to the for garrison duties, where it underwent reorganization and training amid the broader of British forces. In 1948, as the erupted against communist insurgents of the Malayan National Liberation Army, the 2nd Battalion deployed to Malaya, where it conducted counter-insurgency operations including patrols, ambushes, and protection of plantations and villages until 1949. These efforts contributed to the British strategy of population resettlement and intelligence gathering to isolate guerrillas from support networks. The 1st Battalion later reinforced operations in the region during the prolonged emergency, which lasted until 1960, engaging in similar tactics to suppress the . During the 1950s, the regiment saw deployments to address colonial emergencies. The 1st Battalion served in from 1955 amid the insurgency, a Greek Cypriot guerrilla campaign seeking (union with Greece), where it performed internal security duties, cordon-and-search operations, and convoy protection to counter bombings and assassinations. Later that decade, in 1958, the battalion was posted to during rising unrest in the , conducting patrols and operations against nationalist rebels and Yemeni border incursions, including arduous marches into the Radfan Mountains to secure key positions. These missions involved close cooperation with local levies and resulted in casualties from ambushes and harsh terrain. The , aimed at reducing military expenditure and adapting to nuclear deterrence, led to significant cuts in the , including the elimination of several and a push for amalgamations to streamline structures. In response, the Buffs' size was reduced, with the 2nd Battalion disbanded in 1957, leaving only the 1st Battalion active. The battalion returned to Britain in 1959 after service in , where it had trained at from 1955 to 1958, preparing for potential contingencies. On 1 March 1961, the Buffs amalgamated with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment at Shorncliffe Camp to form The Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment, as part of the ongoing defense reforms to create larger, more efficient units while preserving Kentish regimental identities. The merger combined the traditions, battle honors, and personnel of both regiments, with the new unit adopting the Buffs' iconic buff-colored facings and dragon , though it marked the end of the Buffs' independent existence after nearly 400 years. This restructuring reflected broader post-imperial adjustments, reducing the infantry from 17 to 13 line regiments and emphasizing all-regular forces over .

Regimental identity

Uniform and insignia

The distinctive buff-colored facings of The Buffs originated from the protective buff leather coats issued to the regiment during its early service in the in the 1660s, when it was known as the Holland Regiment raised for Dutch service under Charles II; this set it apart from the standard red coats of other British units. By 1751, when the regiment was formally designated the 3rd (or Buffs) Regiment of Foot, these buff elements were standardized as facings on the collar, lapels, and cuffs of the scarlet coat, along with buff waistcoats, to maintain the unique identity. In the , the uniform evolved to include laced coats for officers and non-commissioned officers, featuring gold lace loops on the buff facings of the scarlet coat, with wearing distinctive caps adorned with regimental lace. The regiment's at this time incorporated the badge, granted by Queen Anne in 1707 as a reward for gallant conduct during the , depicted on a buff ground and symbolizing the unit's Tudor origins from its 1572 formation. By the , headgear shifted to the tall for all ranks, bearing a plate with the emblem, while Victorian-era reforms introduced caps for undress, often fitted with a badge on a buff corded boss for officers. The saw further adaptations to the uniform while preserving buff distinctions, with the 1902 service dress featuring buff collars and cuffs on a or scarlet base, and the evolving to a gilt dragon on a ground above a scroll inscribed "THE BUFFS," sometimes incorporating the Cypher of William III for officers' variants. During the World Wars, soldiers wore standard battledress with buff-piped collars and cuffs where possible, supplemented by collar badges of the dragon facing inward for identification. Insignia emphasized the regiment's heritage, with the motto "Steady, the Buffs!"—derived from an 1858 admonition by Lieutenant John Cotter—embodied in collar badges and scrolls, alongside the primary dragon cap badge worn by all ranks. Variations included officers' badges in silver or gilt with additional lace, drummers' coats reversed to buff with scarlet facings and special winged epaulettes, and territorial units like the 4th and 5th Battalions adopting similar buff elements but with simplified bronze badges on slouch hats or glengarries for home service.

Traditions and symbols

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) earned its primary nickname, "The Buffs," from the buff-colored facings on its uniforms, a distinction originating in the when the regiment was issued buff coats for service in the . To differentiate itself from the 31st Regiment of Foot, dubbed the "Young Buffs" after a similar uniform confusion at the in 1743, the 3rd Foot adopted the title "The Old Buffs." Additionally, the regiment was known as the "Dragon Regiment" due to its distinctive dragon emblem, awarded in 1707 as a of honor for gallant conduct during the and prominently displayed on its colors and insignia. The regiment's motto, ("It flourishes by ancient honor"), reflected its long-standing heritage dating back to 1572 and emphasized enduring loyalty and tradition. Regimental marches included the quick march "The Buffs," a lively tune symbolizing the unit's spirited identity, and the slow march "The Men of ," evoking the region's historical resilience. These marches were played during parades and ceremonial duties, reinforcing the regiment's ties to Kentish folklore and pride. A key annual commemoration was Albuhera Day, observed on 16 May to honor the regiment's heroic stand at the Battle of Albuhera in 1811, where soldiers defended their colors against overwhelming odds; this tradition involved formal parades and toasts in the officers' mess. The phrase "Steady, the Buffs!" originated during service in (1858–1861), issued by Lieutenant John Cotter as a rallying cry during inspections, and became an enduring emblem of discipline embedded in regimental lore. Among the regiment's social customs, regimental silver played a central role in mess traditions, with the Latham Centrepiece—a silver statuette depicting Lieutenant Matthew Latham saving the King's Colour at Albuhera—serving as a focal point during dinners and symbolizing valor; three such pieces were commissioned in the and used in officers' messes. The regiment also held the ancient privilege, granted by a warrant, to march through the with drums beating and colors flying while recruiting or on guard duty at the , a custom upheld into the 20th century.

Leadership

Colonels-in-Chief

The role of for the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) was a ceremonial and honorary position, distinct from the operational command held by regular colonels of the . Appointees, typically members of the royal family or allied monarchs, served as patrons who provided symbolic leadership, attended inspections and presentations of colors, and boosted regimental morale without exercising day-to-day authority over training or deployments. This appointment underscored the regiment's prestige and historical ties, particularly its Dutch origins as the Holland raised in 1572 to support Protestant forces in the . The first such figure was , KG (1689–1708), who became the regiment's honorary colonel upon its return to England in 1689 and formal establishment as the Third Regiment of Foot. As the husband of Queen Anne and a prominent Danish royal, his appointment reflected the unit's continental roots, leading to its temporary designation as Prince George of Denmark's Regiment until his death. During his tenure, the regiment participated in key campaigns like the , with the prince's patronage enhancing its status within the . No further royal appointments occurred until the early , when the tradition resumed with Danish monarchs due to familial links via Queen Alexandra, the Danish-born consort of King . King , KG, GCB, GCVO held the role from 1906 to 1912, appointed personally by Edward VII to honor these connections and the regiment's enduring Scandinavian heritage. His brief tenure ended with his death and coincided with the regiment's pre-World War I preparations, where he symbolically reinforced loyalty and tradition through honorary oversight. Succeeding him was King Christian X of Denmark, KG, GCB, GCVO (1912–1947), whose long appointment spanned both world wars and interwar periods, providing continuity amid global conflicts. As , he maintained ceremonial ties, including morale-boosting messages to serving Buffs during wartime service in , Gallipoli, and beyond, emphasizing the regiment's resilience. His role helped preserve the honorary Danish affiliation established in 1906. The final pre-amalgamation appointee was King Frederick IX of , KG, GCB, GCVO (1947–1961), who assumed the position shortly after and continued until the Buffs' merger into the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment in 1961, which ended the distinct role for the original unit. During his tenure, notable events included the granting of the "Royal" prefix to the regiment's title—elevating it to The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)—and post-war inspections that highlighted recovery and modernization efforts. His patronage symbolized ongoing international esteem for the Buffs' storied history.

Colonels of the regiment

The role of the of the Regiment for the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) was an honorary yet influential position, typically held by senior officers who oversaw administrative matters such as recruitment, training standards, and the regiment's representation on higher boards, while providing ceremonial leadership and guidance during campaigns. This appointment often went to distinguished generals with prior combat experience, ensuring continuity of tradition amid the regiment's evolution from its Dutch origins to a key British unit. The regiment's early colonels traced back to its formation in 1572 as a company in Dutch service, with Sir Francis Vere appointed as the first substantive colonel in 1593, leading it against Spanish forces in the until his death in 1608. His brother, Sir Horace Vere, succeeded him, commanding through the regiment's service in the and its transition to English pay in 1637, emphasizing disciplined infantry tactics that became hallmarks of the Buffs. Upon the regiment's recall to in 1665 following the Restoration, Robert Sidney was gazetted colonel on 31 May, marking its integration into the ; his tenure ended with his death in 1668, succeeded by Sir Walter Vane, who was in 1674 during naval operations. These 17th- and 18th-century transitions, including appointments like Charles Churchill (1689–1714), who navigated the regiment through the and Jacobite risings, underscored the colonel's role in maintaining cohesion during frequent deployments to , , and . By the mid-18th century, under colonels such as Sir Jeffery Amherst (1768–1797), a victor at Louisbourg and , the position increasingly focused on strategic oversight, with Amherst advancing reforms post-Seven Years' War to bolster the regiment's strength for imperial duties. In the 19th century, the colonelcy adapted to the regiment's expansion and the of 1881, which linked it territorially to East and formalized linked battalions, placing greater emphasis on training depots and volunteer integration under the colonel's purview. Sir William Maynard Gomm, appointed in 1842 after distinguished service at Waterloo and in the , served until 1875, guiding the Buffs through the era by prioritizing rifle drill and logistical readiness, which contributed to their performance at Alma and . His tenure exemplified the colonel's influence on discussions, advocating for improved soldier welfare amid post-Crimea reforms. Later 19th-century holders, such as General Sir John Michel (1857–1868 and 1874–1886), focused on colonial deployments, enhancing the regiment's adaptability for service in and while overseeing the 1881 territorial linkage that preserved East Kent identity. The 20th century saw the colonelcy evolve with mechanization and global conflicts, with holders responsible for coordinating multi-battalion operations and interwar training innovations. General Sir Arthur Paget, appointed in 1914 and serving until 1928, provided steady leadership during the First World War, supporting recruitment drives that raised service battalions for the Western Front and Mesopotamia, where the Buffs earned honours at Ypres and Baghdad. Lt-Gen. Sir John Jenkins Shea followed from 1928 to 1936, drawing on his Western Desert command experience to modernize training, including anti-gas measures and motorized infantry tactics, which prepared the regiment for interwar postings in Ireland and India. During the Second World War, figures like Gen. Sir John Dill (1936–1940) emphasized rapid mobilization, aiding the Buffs' defence of Dunkirk and North African campaigns through enhanced officer selection on Army boards. The final pre-amalgamation colonel, Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Urquhart (1954–1961), a veteran of Arnhem and Malaya, focused on Cold War readiness, streamlining recruitment amid national service reductions and representing the regiment in merger talks with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1961. Throughout, these colonels complemented the ceremonial oversight of Colonels-in-Chief, such as royals, by driving operational excellence.

Honours and legacy

Battle honours

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) accumulated a total of 116 battle honours over its history, awarded by the British monarch on the recommendation of the Army Council to recognize participation in significant engagements. These honours were inscribed on the regiment's and colours as early as the late , with a formalized practice of emblazoning selected ones on regimental colours established by the to symbolize the unit's heritage and achievements. Only the most prominent honours were chosen for display due to limited space on the silk colours, prioritizing those from major campaigns. The honours are grouped by historical era below, reflecting the regiment's service from the through the mid-20th century. Bolded items indicate those typically emblazoned on the colours. Early Wars (1700s–1900s): Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Dettingen, , Douro, Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, , Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, , , Punniar, , , , , Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, . The honour "" commemorates service in the Second Boer War, including key actions like the Relief of Kimberley. First World War (1914–1918): Aisne 1914, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1915, '17, Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Hooge 1915, Loos, Somme 1916, '18, Albert 1916, '18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, , Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, '18, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Messines 1917, Pilckem, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917, '18, St. Quentin, Avre, , Bapaume 1918, , Épéhy, St. Quentin Canal, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18, Struma, Doiran 1918, Macedonia 1915–18, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell 'Asur, Palestine 1917–18, , 1916, Kut al Amara 1917, , 1915–18. Second World War (1939–1945): Defence of Escaut, St. Omer-La Bassée, Withdrawal to Seine, North-West Europe 1940, Sidi Suleiman, Alem Hamza, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, El Agheila, Advance on Tripoli, Tebaga Gap, El Hamma, Akarit, Djebel Azzag 1943, Robaa Valley, Djebel Bech Chekaoui, Heidous, Medjez Plain, Longstop Hill 1943, North Africa 1941–43, Centuripe, Monte Rivoglia, Sicily 1943, Termoli, Trigno, Sangro, Anzio, Cassino I, Liri Valley, Aquino, Rome, Trasimene Line, Coriano, Monte Spaduro, Senio, Argenta Gap, Italy 1943–45, Leros, Middle East 1943, Malta 1940–42, Shweli, Myitson, Burma 1945. Upon the regiment's amalgamation in 1961 with the Queen's Own Royal West Regiment to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment, all 116 honours were inherited by the successor unit. Further amalgamations in 1966 (to the ) and 1992 (to the ) preserved these honours on the new formations' colours, ensuring no loss of the Buffs' legacy.

Victoria Cross recipients

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) received four es during its history, awarded for extraordinary gallantry in the face of the enemy. Two were bestowed during the , one during the on India's North West Frontier in 1897, and one in the First World War. These awards highlight individual acts of bravery that exemplified the regiment's traditions of courage and determination. Frederick Francis Maude, a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the 3rd Regiment of Foot (The Buffs), was awarded the for his leadership during the assault on the at on 8 September 1855. Commanding the covering party of the 2nd Division's storming column, Maude was the first to mount the enemy's parapet, where he killed a Russian soldier in and spiked a field gun before being severely wounded in the shoulder and leg. Despite his injuries, he refused to leave the field until the position was secured, inspiring his men to press the attack. The medal was presented to him by at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. Maude later rose to the rank of general, was knighted as Sir Frederick Francis Maude VC GCB, and died on 20 June 1897 in . John Connors, a Private in the 3rd Regiment of Foot (The Buffs), earned the for his actions in the same assault on the on 8 September 1855. Among the first to scale the parapet, Connors displayed conspicuous courage by bayoneting several Russian defenders and assisting in the capture of a nine-pounder gun amid intense close-quarters fighting. His devotion helped maintain the momentum of the attack despite heavy casualties. Like Maude, Connors received his medal from at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. He was promoted to shortly after but died of fever on 22 August 1858 while serving in , , and was buried there. James Smith, a in the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), was awarded the for gallantry during the First Mohmand Campaign on the North West Frontier of on 16 September 1897. At Landakai, when a British officer was wounded and isolated under heavy fire from tribesmen, Smith volunteered to lead a rescue party. Despite being wounded in the arm and leg, he carried the officer to safety over 400 yards of open ground swept by enemy bullets, then returned to the firing line to continue the fight. His medal was presented by at on 15 January 1899. Smith later attained the rank of Colour-Sergeant and died in 1941. William Richard Cotter, an Acting Corporal in the 6th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), received a posthumous for his bravery during an attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt near Loos, , on 14 March 1916. When a German shattered his leg during the advance, Cotter refused evacuation, bound his wound, and crawled forward to a group of enemy soldiers blocking his section's path. He then stood on the , urging his men onward with cries of encouragement until he succumbed to his wounds later that day at age 33. His medal was presented to his widow by King George V at on 8 July 1916. Cotter, born in 1882 in , , had previously served in and before the war. These Victoria Crosses are commemorated within the regiment's traditions, with replicas and accounts preserved in regimental collections to honor the recipients' sacrifices. The awards were gazetted in , underscoring their official recognition by the British Crown.

Notable soldiers

Among the notable figures associated with The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) were officers and enlisted men who made significant contributions beyond battlefield gallantry, including in leadership, arts, and regimental documentation. Lieutenant Matthew Latham exemplified early regimental valor during the ; at the in 1811, he seized and defended the King's Colour against overwhelming French forces despite sustaining 18 wounds, an act that preserved the regimental standard and led to his promotion to captain before retiring in 1820. In the 20th century, Captain William Douglas-Home served with the 7th Battalion during the Second World War, notably as part of the 141st Regiment equipped with tanks in the campaign; he was court-martialed and imprisoned in 1944 for refusing an order to fire on a French town to avoid civilian casualties, reflecting his commitment to ethical conduct in warfare. After the war, Douglas-Home pursued a distinguished post-service career as a , authoring over 50 works including The (1947), and as a Conservative politician, serving as a Member of Parliament for from 1950 to 1951. The regiment's cultural impact extended to the arts through Lieutenant Ernest Stafford Carlos, a commissioned officer and with the 8th Battalion during the First World War; arriving in in March 1917, he produced sketches and watercolours depicting trench life, such as portraits of fellow officers, before being at the Battle of Messines on 14 June 1917. His works, preserved in collections like the , provide valuable visual records of the regiment's experiences on the Western Front. Additionally, The Buffs featured in , with referencing the famous regimental phrase "Steady, the Buffs!"—originating from commander Sir Colin Campbell—in his 1892 short story collection Soldiers Three and other writings, embedding the unit's disciplined ethos in popular culture.

Freedom of the City of London

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) enjoyed the of , one of only five British regiments to hold this ancient civic privilege, which entitled them to march through the city streets with fixed bayonets, drums beating, and colours flying. This honor was granted by Royal Warrant in 1672 to the regiment—then the Holland Regiment—permitting unlimited recruitment by beat of drum within the City boundaries, a right unique among infantry units and reflecting their early service under Dutch command after formation in 1572 from Trained Bands. The privilege underscored the regiment's enduring symbolic ties to London, where recruitment drew heavily from the city's population and livery companies that supported the Trained Bands, fostering a tradition of civic-military partnership dating to the regiment's first stationing at the in 1673. Following extensive service in the First World War, including major engagements that resulted in over 6,500 fatalities, the regiment exercised the in a notable ceremonial parade on 27 July 1928, when the 2nd Battalion marched from Waterloo Station through the City to the Honourable Artillery Company grounds for the presentation of new colours by the , before returning via Finsbury Pavement with full martial honors. This event highlighted the ceremonial protocol of the , involving a disciplined that symbolized gratitude for the regiment's sacrifices and reinforced their heritage, with the Lord Mayor's involvement emphasizing the civic dimension. The privilege remained a cornerstone of regimental tradition, exercised on ceremonial occasions post-Second World War until the Buffs' amalgamation with the Queen's Own Royal West in 1961 to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal , after which the right passed to the successor unit.

Regimental museum

The regimental collections of The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) are primarily preserved at the in , following a of the entire museum collection by the Buffs Regimental Museum Trust in July 2003. This repository includes a wide array of artifacts tracing the regiment's history from its origins to 1961, with exhibits focusing on uniforms, medals, and items related to key battles such as those in the and the Boer War. The provides public access to these holdings through its galleries and online catalog, allowing visitors to explore digitized archives and study materials via the Templer Study Centre. A local display site is maintained at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in , , which features loaned items from the National Army Museum's collection, emphasizing Kent-specific regimental heritage. This venue houses artifacts such as mess silverware, , and regimental , offering a regional perspective on the regiment's legacy. Uniform items, including examples of the distinctive buff facings and dragon-emblazoned badges, are among the highlighted displays here. Notable artifacts in the collections include the regiment's iconic dragon badges, a symbol adopted since at least and featured on headdress and other from various eras. items, such as created by soldiers, and memorabilia from the regiment's 1961 amalgamation into The Queen's Own Buffs, Royal Kent Regiment, are also preserved, providing tangible links to frontline experiences and institutional changes. These pieces contribute to educational programs at both sites, including guided group visits, workshops for schools, and online resources like quizzes and virtual exhibits to engage visitors in the regiment's history.

Alliances and successors

Prior to its 1961 amalgamation, the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) maintained formal affiliations with units rooted in . These included ties to Australian forces through its extended garrison duties in from 1821 to 1827, where detachments guarded convicts and maintained order across settlements like , , and , fostering enduring connections with what would become the Royal New South Wales Regiment. Similarly, the regiment established an official affiliation with the in 1913, building on earlier wartime collaborations and mutual exchanges that strengthened links between the two units. On 1 March 1961, the Buffs amalgamated with the Queen's Own Royal West Regiment to form the Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Regiment, as part of broader defence reforms. This merger preserved key traditions from both parent regiments, such as the Buffs' distinctive buff-coloured facings and the West Kents' cap badge featuring a , while integrating their battle honours and fostering a unified identity. The new regiment continued to recruit primarily from , maintaining the Buffs' strong regional ties. The Queen's Own Buffs existed briefly until 31 December 1966, when it merged with the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, the Royal Sussex Regiment, and the Middlesex Regiment to create The Queen's Regiment, consolidating Home Counties infantry under the 1966 Defence White Paper. Buffs elements were incorporated into the 1st Battalion of the new formation, carrying forward their operational roles and customs. In 1992, The amalgamated with the Royal Hampshire Regiment on 9 to form the (PWRR), with the Buffs' lineage preserved in the 1st Battalion PWRR. This successor unit retains several Buffs customs, notably the annual celebration of Minden Day on 1 August, where all ranks wear red and yellow roses in their headdress to commemorate the 1759 —a tradition originating with the Buffs as one of the seven victorious British regiments. The PWRR also upholds territorial connections to through its 4th Battalion (the Kent and Sharpshooters ), ensuring the Buffs' regional heritage endures in modern reserve forces.

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