95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot
Encyclopedia
The 95th Regiment of Foot was formed when the 95th Rifles were redesignated as The Rifle Brigade . In 1881, during the Childers Reforms
, it was united with the 45th Regiment of Foot to form the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).
, the Ionian Islands
, Ceylon and China
.
where war had broken out between the French
, Turkish
and British
forces against Russia
. The regiment saw action in some of the most heavy fighting of that war. It was in the forefront of the attack across the Alma River
and on to the heights beyond. Due to the heavy casualties suffered in this attack the Regimental colours, normally carried by officers, was handed to Private James Keenan, who planted it triumphantly on the earthwork of the Great Redoubt. Just before the Battle of Inkerman
an order was passed that colours were no longer to be carried into battle, but the 95th were in the front line positions when the Russian army attacked and were therefore the last British regiment to carry their colours in a major battle.
After Inkerman the regiment was reduced to less than a hundred officers and men but continued to serve in the trenches which led to their nickname that: "there may be few of the 95th left but those are as hard as nails."
in 1857. The 95th Regiment was on its way to South Africa
and was diverted to India. Over the next sixteen months it marched 3,000 miles through jungle and desert and fought in fourteen actions. Private Bernard McQuirt
won the Victoria Cross
at Rowa
. The 95th remained in India until 1870 after which they returned to England before becoming the 2nd Battalion of the newly formed Sherwood Foresters.
Childers Reforms
The Childers Reforms restructured the infantry regiments of the British army. The reforms were undertaken by Secretary of State for War Hugh Childers in 1881, and were a continuation of the earlier Cardwell reforms....
, it was united with the 45th Regiment of Foot to form the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).
History
The 95th Derbyshire was the sixth regiment to bear the number 95. After its formation the 95th Derbyshire saw service in MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, the Ionian Islands
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
, Ceylon and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Crimea
In 1854 the regiment was sent to the CrimeaCrimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
where war had broken out between the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Turkish
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
and British
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
forces against Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The regiment saw action in some of the most heavy fighting of that war. It was in the forefront of the attack across the Alma River
Battle of Alma
The Battle of the Alma , which is usually considered the first battle of the Crimean War , took place just south of the River Alma in the Crimea. An Anglo-French force under General St...
and on to the heights beyond. Due to the heavy casualties suffered in this attack the Regimental colours, normally carried by officers, was handed to Private James Keenan, who planted it triumphantly on the earthwork of the Great Redoubt. Just before the Battle of Inkerman
Battle of Inkerman
The Battle of Inkerman was fought during the Crimean War on November 5, 1854 between the allied armies of Britain and France against the Imperial Russian Army. The battle broke the will of the Russian Army to defeat the allies in the field, and was followed by the Siege of Sevastopol...
an order was passed that colours were no longer to be carried into battle, but the 95th were in the front line positions when the Russian army attacked and were therefore the last British regiment to carry their colours in a major battle.
After Inkerman the regiment was reduced to less than a hundred officers and men but continued to serve in the trenches which led to their nickname that: "there may be few of the 95th left but those are as hard as nails."
Sepoy Rebellion
Soon after the Crimean War ended the Sepoy Rebellion broke out in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1857. The 95th Regiment was on its way to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and was diverted to India. Over the next sixteen months it marched 3,000 miles through jungle and desert and fought in fourteen actions. Private Bernard McQuirt
Bernard McQuirt
Bernard McQuirt VC was born in Donaghcloney near Lurgan, County Armagh and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:He was about 29 years old, and a...
won the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
at Rowa
Rowa
Rowa is a village development committee in Mugu District in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2771 people living in 523 individual households.-External links:*...
. The 95th remained in India until 1870 after which they returned to England before becoming the 2nd Battalion of the newly formed Sherwood Foresters.
Battle honours
- AlmaBattle of AlmaThe Battle of the Alma , which is usually considered the first battle of the Crimean War , took place just south of the River Alma in the Crimea. An Anglo-French force under General St...
, InkermanBattle of InkermanThe Battle of Inkerman was fought during the Crimean War on November 5, 1854 between the allied armies of Britain and France against the Imperial Russian Army. The battle broke the will of the Russian Army to defeat the allies in the field, and was followed by the Siege of Sevastopol...
, Sevastopol, Central IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Colonel
- 1848–1850: Sir Richard Armstrong
- 1850–1853: John BellJohn Bell (British Army officer)General Sir John Bell GCB was a British soldier and magistrate. At the time of his death, he was the senior general of the British Army.-Background:Born at Bonytoun in the county of Fife, he was the son of David Bell...
- 1853–1868: Sir Francis CockburnFrancis CockburnSir Francis Cockburn served in the British Army, played an important role in the early settlement of eastern Canada and was a colonial administrator....