Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 5.djvu/386

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* s. v. MAY 12, 1900.

one time regularly " paragraphed " in a certain society paper.

The 17th Lancers" Death or Glory Boys " bear a skull and the words " Or Glory " not on their banner, but on their appoint- ments, for the reason that they, in common with all our other Lancer and Dragoon regiments, have no standard or guidon, but bear all badges, devices, &c., on their appoint- ments ( e.g., officers' sabretaches, &c.), in accordance with Queen's Regulations, sec. 1, par. 10.

The present 18th Hussars, having only been raised in 1858, have no connexion, except the number, with the regiment raised by Lord Drogheda in 1759, which was dis- banded in 1822.

The reason of the Royal Fusiliers being called the "Elegant Extracts" was that, as formerly all the subalterns were full lieutenants, no direct first appointments to the regiment could be made, and officers of that rank had to be transferred from other regiments.

The sobriquet " Evergreens " of the 13th Hussars refers to the regimental motto " Viret in seternum," borne since the raising of the regiment, and, no doubt, an allusion to the green facings they originally wore when the uniform was scarlet. Another name given to the regiment in the Peninsular War was the "Ragged Brigade," from their caring more for work than appearances, for during the war they served in thirty-two affairs besides general actions, and lost 274 men and 1,009 horses (Trimen's 'Regiments of the British Army '). C. S. HARRIS.

The list of these supplied by our friend MR. AXON at the above references has, as he thought, doubtless surprised many readers. In the work of collecting these nicknames, &c., I have been engaged, at odd moments, for many years, and I am in a position to supplement the list already given with a goodlv number which will probably be ac- ceptable. They are not all to be classed as nicknames pure and simple, as many of them are in a different category from those born of ridicule. Some are well and widely known, while others, perhaps, are scarcely known beyond the confines of the regiment itself.

The "Admiral's Regiment" is a fairly well-known name for the Royal Marines, on account of the work they have to perform on board ship.

The " Bays " is a name popularly bestowed on the 2nd Dragoon Guards from the colour of their horses.

The " Bengal Tigers," a name given to the

24th South Wales Borderers, the tiger being an Indian badge.

The " Bermuda Exiles " was the name given to the Grenadier Guards some years ago when, after some insubordination, a portion of the regiment was sent for a while to the West Indies.

The " Black Dragoons " is another name for the 6th Dragoons.

The " Blues " is a well-known cognomen of the Royal Horse Guards, so dear to Londoners, of which the " Blue Guards " is only a variant.

" Bland's Dragoons " is a name given to the 3rd Hussars in honour of a former smart officer.

The " Blue Horse " is another name for the 4th Dragoon Guards.

The " Brothers " is a name given to the 25th Scottish Borderers, of the origin of which my informant was ignorant.

" Bubbly Jocks " is a name bestowed upon the 2nd Dragoons.

" Coy's Horse " is a well-known name for the 5th Dragoon Guards, for which a popular commander was responsible.

The " Devil's Royals " is a name often heard for the 50th West Kent Regiment.

The "Docs," a name for the 32nd, Duke of Cornwall's, being formed of the initials thereof.

" Don't Dance 10th," a name for the 10th Hussars, which arose from one of the officers telling the hostess at a ball that " the Tenth don't dance."

" Douglas ficossais," a name for the 1st Royal Scots, is hidden somewhat in mystery.

The "English Horse" is a name for the 1st Dragoons.

"Eliott's Light Horse," a name for the 15th Hussars, for which an officer of the regiment has stood sponsor.

The " Emperor's Chambermaids," a peculiar name for the 14th Hussars, bestowed upon them, I believe, while out in India.

The "Fighting Ninth," a name for the well-known 9th Norfolk Regiment.

The " Five-and-Threepennies," a name for the 53rd Shropshire Light Infantry, arising out of the number of the regiment.

The " Gallant Fiftieth," another name for the 50th Royal West Kent Regiment.

The "Glasgow Greys" is a name for the 70th East Surrey Regiment.

The "Glesga Keelies" is a nickname for the 71st Highland Light Infantry, but, not being a Scot, I cannot say what its exact significance may be.

" Godfrey's Horse " is another name for the 4th Dragoon Guards, an officer, as is often the case, being responsible for it.