Duke of Wellington's Regiment

[18??-19??]

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment – also known as the Havercake Lads – is the only regiment to be named after a commoner.

The regiment was formed when the 33rd Regiment of Foot and the 76th Regiment of Foot merged in 1881. The name was taken because the Duke of Wellington had been Colonel of the 33rd Regiment of Foot.

The Wellesley Barracks were built for the regiment.

The regiment went on to become a famous British regiment whose actions included:

Dettingen [1743]

During World War I, there were 21 Regular, Territorial and Service battalions of the Regiment raised from men drawn almost exclusively from the West Riding. Of these, 14 battalions saw active service on the Western Front, in Italy, and at Gallipoli

During World War II, the regiment took part in the campaigns of Dunkirk, North-West Europe, North Africa, Italy and Burma. 12 battalions served as tank crews

At Dunkirk, the 1st Battalion held a two-mile front for five days during the evacuation and were the last to leave

Korea [1953]

The 1st battalion fought at the Battle of the Hook

In Bosnia [1994], the regiment was the first unit to go into Gorazde and played a critical role in preventing a tragedy similar to that which befell Zepa and Srebrinica

The regiment is unique in carrying four colours on parade.

Since 1845, the Regiment has the right, granted by the County Borough of Halifax, to march through the streets of the town

on all ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, colours flying and bands playing

The following are recorded:

1st / 4th Duke of Wellington's Regiment: Aka 1st & 4th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).
On 11th July 1915, the colours of the 1/4 Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment were deposited at Halifax Parish Church.
On 18th June 1919, there was a public welcome home from abroad, after World War I, for the Regiment (Halifax Territorials).
See Captain Maynard Percy Andrews and Horace Sykes
1st Volunteer Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment: They were originally the 4th Yorkshire West Riding Rifle Volunteers.
They were established just before the second South African War.
Several companies made up the Battalion including the Brighouse Company.
See William Barstow, Colonel W. G. Gray, Colonel William Henry Land and Dr Edgar Duesbury Wellburn
3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, Duke of Wellington's: On 17th February 1903, a memorial tablet was unveiled in Halifax Parish Church to non-commissioned officers and men of the Regiment who lost their lives in the South African War.
In January 2013, it was announced that the title would be dropped, and the colours would be laid up, and the Battalion would become the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.
4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment: During World War I, H Company were based at the Drill Hall, Sowerby Bridge.
See Thomas Henry Clarke, Ernest Hatton Hill and Major Alfred Herbert Richardson
8th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment:
See Thomas Worrall Fleming
9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment: On 28th March 1919, the Regiment returned to Halifax Barracks with a 105 mm gun which they had captured
10th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington Regiment:
See Lance Corporal Gilbert Swift Greenwood
33rd Duke of Wellington's Own Regiment: Aka 33rd Regiment of Foot

Since 1998, the regiment has had two battalions.

The 1st Battalion was a Regular Army battalion which moved to Hounslow, London. In London, the battalion has carried out many public duties, at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle
The 3rd Battalion was a part of the Territorial Army. The battalion had its headquarters at Endcliffe Hall, Sheffield

The regiment still recruits many of its men and women from what was the West Riding.

The regiment is known for its success on the Rugby field, and has won the Army Cup 14 times – more than any other regiment – and been runners up 7 times.

The Duke of Wellington's Chapel is inside the south-east corner Halifax Parish Church.

Since 1960, the Museum of the Duke of Wellington's Regimental Association has been at Bankfield.

In 2004, there were fears that the regiment would be disbanded when the government announced plans to reorganise the army. The Dukes survived to become a part of a new Yorkshire Regiment – including The Green Howards and The Prince of Wales' Own – and became the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, Duke of Wellington's

Page Ref: MMD74

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