The History of the Regiment
The York and Lancaster Regiment was formed by the amalgamation of the 65th Regiment of Foot and the 84th Regiment of Foot. The York and Lancaster Regiment has long recruited in South Yorkshire and has had close connections with the area for over 100 years. Around here they were know as the Cat and Cabbage from their regimental badge.
The 65th Regiment of Foot
A second battalion of the 12th Foot (Suffolk Regiment) was raised in 1756 and became a separate regiment on 21st April 1758. The regiment served in the West Indies from Nov 1758, notably against the French in the Seven Years War (1756 - 1762). Few relics survive from this early period.
In 1763 the regiment returned to England and was then posted to America in 1768. It took part in battles in the American War of Independence and suffered dreadful casualties at Bunker Hill. The regiment returned to England in 1776 much reduced in numbers by these losses and the drafting of men to other regiments.
In 1782 the 65th were given a second regionary title 'The 2nd Yorkshire North Riding Regiment' with a view to recruiting in that area. During the wars with Revolutionary France the 64th served in the West Indies (1793), gaining battle honours at Martinique. The 65th returned from the West Indies in 1795 and embarked for India in 1800 where it served for 22 years.
In 1822 the 65th were granted the Royal Tiger on their colours and appointments.
In 1829 the 65th embarked for service in the West Indies, followed by Demerara and Canada before returning home in 1841. From its base in Salford the regiment were deployed during the Chartist Riots and then had a period guarding convict ships. The whole regiment was posted to Australia in 1846 and served there, and in New Zealand during the Maori Wars, for twenty years. It was in New Zealand that the 65th earned one of its nicknames "Hickety Pip" from the Maori pronunciation of 65th.
The 84th Regiment of Foot
The 84th Foot was first raised on 13th January 1759 in response to requests from the East India Company for extra military support. the Regiment arrived in Madras in 1759 and was immediately engaged in the Mysore War. It was disbanded in December 1763 and many officers and men transferred to the East India Company.
The 84th Foot was raised again on 13th June 1775 as two battalions in Canada known as the Royal Highland Emigrants. The first battalion remained in Canada in defence of Quebec but the second fought in the American War of Independence in Virginia and South Carolina. They saw action at Eutaw Springs and were amongst the British forces who surrendered at Yorktown. The regiment was again disbanded at the cessation of hostilities.
The 84th were raised gain during the wars with Revolutionary France and served in the first Walcheren Expedition (1794), the Cape of Good Hope (1796) and India (1799). The second battalion of the 84th were involved in the second Walcheren campaign (1809) and the Peninsular War (1812 - 1814). In 1809 the 84th were also given a second regionary title "The York and Lancaster". The 84th were granted the Union Rose symbolizing the two counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in 1820.
On return from India the second battalion was absorbed into the 84th. They served in Jamaica in 1827, Burma in 1842 and India in 1845. the Regiment was heavily engaged in the Indian Mutiny at Cawnpore and Lucknow. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded in these actions.
In 1859 the regiment returned to England and over the next 23 years served in Ireland, Canada and the Channel Islands.
The York and Lancaster Regiment
The York and Lancaster Regiment was formed by the amalgamation of both regiments in 1881.
The 65th, now the 1st Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment, served in India, Aden. Whilst returning home in 1882 they were diverted to fight in the Sudan Wars. Eventually the battalion arrived home in 1884 and were in Sheffield 1886, Ireland 1888 and Colchester 1895.
The 84th now called the 2nd Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment, served in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882. Followed by service in Bermuda, Nova Scotia, South Africa and India, followed by Ireland in 1912. Many of the 2nd battalion's treasured possession were lost in 1897 when the 'Warren Hastings' foundered off Reunion.
The 1st battalion fought in the Boer War and then served in India until the Great War.
The 1914 - 18 War
Soon after the beginning of the war in August 1914 the local Territorials, the Fifth Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment were mobilised and received a civic send-off to the front. In September 1914 a sixth Battalion was raised, with two hundred volunteers towards a seventh. The regiment was greatly increased in size during the Great War and grew to 22 battalions. 57000 men of all ranks were raised for the regiment during these years, 48650 became casualties of whom 8814 died. 1190 gallantry awards were gained by all ranks including 4 Victoria Crosses.
Between the Wars
The regiment was greatly reduced in size. The 1st battalion served in Salonika, England and Germany, returning to England in 1926. In 1936 they were sent to Egypt and Palestine returning home later that year. The 2nd battalion returned from Germany in 1919 and was sent in September of that year to Mesopotamia and North West Persia. In 1921 it went to India where it remained until sent to the Sudan in 1938.
The Second World War
The 1st Battalion was part of the British Expeditionary Forces in France. It was then moved to Norway but had to be rescued, and returned to Scotland. It was re-equipped and sent to Ireland with the 5th Division. With the 5th division the battalion went to India and North Persia. It fought in the Sicilian Campaign and the invasion of Italy. By the time the battalion reached Germany in April 1945 the crossing of the Rhine was in progress.
The 2nd battalion went from the Sudan to Palestine, then Crete from where they were evacuated to Egypt. They fought against the Vichy French in Syria and then in North Africa at Tobruk. Then back to India where in 1944 it was reformed into two Chindit columns for the re-occupation of Burma.
Other battalions of the Regiment also served with distinction in the Second World War.
The End of the Line
In 1947 the 2nd battalion was disbanded but was subsequently amalgamated with the 1st in 1948. The 1st battalion served in Germany, UK, Khartoum and Egypt. It became part of the Yorkshire Brigade in 1958 and had to put aside its cherished Tiger and Rose badge.
The regiment was finally disbanded in 1968.
The Honours of the Regiment
125 battle honours were conferred on the regiment. Amongst the many medals there were 13 Victoria Crosses awarded to soldiers of the York and Lancaster Regiment.