The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)
Cap badge of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
Active	1 July 1702 – 6 June 2006
Country	Kingdom of England (1702–1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) United Kingdom (1801–1881)
Branch	British Army
Type	Line infantry
Role	Armoured infantry (Warrior IFV)
Size	One Battalion (at final amalgamation)
Garrison/HQ	Battlesbury Barracks,Warminster
Nicknames	"The Dukes", "The Havercake Lads", "The Pattern", "The Immortals", "The Pigs", "The Old Seventy-Sixth", "The Old Seven and Sixpennies", "The Duke of Boot's
Motto	Virtutis Fortuna Comes (Latin: "Fortune is the companion of virtue")
Colours and facings	Colours: two Regulation & two Honorary Red
March	Quick: The Wellesley
Mascot	Indian elephant
Anniversaries	St George's Day (23 April) Waterloo Day (18 June)
Engagements	See#Battle honours
Commanders
Last Commanding Officer	Lieutenant Colonel Phil LewisOBE
Last Colonel-in-Chief	BrigadierThe Duke of WellingtonKGLVOOBEMC
Last Colonel of the Regiment	Major-GeneralSir Evelyn John Webb-CarterKCVOOBE
Notable commanders	The Marquess of CornwallisKGPC GeneralSir Charles HuxtableKCBOBE
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash

TheDuke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) was aline infantryregiment of theBritish Army, forming part of theKing's Division.

In 1702,ColonelGeorge Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city ofGloucester. As was the custom in those days the regiment was namedHuntingdon's Regiment after its Colonel. As Colonel succeeded Colonel the name changed, but in 1751 regiments were given numbers, and the regiment was from that time officially known as the33rd Regiment of Foot. In 1782, the regiment's title was changed to the33rd (or First Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment, thus formalising an association with theWest Riding of Yorkshire which, even then, had been long established. Thefirst Duke of Wellington died in 1852 and in the following yearQueen Victoria, in recognition of the regiment's long ties to him, ordered that the regiment's title be changed to the33rd (or The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment. In 1881, following theChilders Reforms, the 33rd was linked with the76th Regiment of Foot, who shared theirdepot inHalifax. The 76th had first been raised in 1745, bySimon Harcourt and disbanded in 1746, re-raised in 1756, disbanded again in 1763, before being raised again in 1777, disbanded in 1784 and finally re-raised, in 1787, for service in India, by theHonourable East India Company.^[1][2] The two regiments became, respectively, the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. In 1948, the 1st and 2nd battalions were amalgamated into a single battalion, the 1st Battalion. On 6 June 2006, the 'Dukes' were amalgamated with thePrince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and theGreen Howards to form theYorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot). As the youngest regiment, the 'Dukes' became the 3rd Battalion, as each battalion retained their antecedent regiment's name in brackets. Following further mergers, in 2012, the battalion was redesignated as the new 1st Battalion (1 Yorks) of the regiment. At this point, the antecedent regimental names were dropped from the battalion titles.^[3]

Battalions from the regiment had served in most land conflicts involving British forces since its formation, from the Wars of theAustrian andSpanish successions, through theAmerican war of Independence and various campaigns in India and Africa, theNapoleonic Wars, theSecond Boer War and many of the greatest battles of theFirst World War (theBattle of Mons, theBattle of the Somme, theBattle of Passchendaele, theBattle of Cambrai) and theThird Anglo-Afghan War in 1919. During theSecond World War, the regiment fought as part of theBritish Expeditionary Force inFrance, forming part of the rearguard atDunkirk; inNorth Africa;Italy and inFrance, following theD-Day landings, and asChindits inBurma. InKorea, the 'Dukes' desperate defence of theHook position halted the last major Chinese attempt to break the United Nations Line before the truce, in July 1953, brought the war to an end. In Cyprus, the battalion was successful in Operation Golden Rain, destroying a majorEOKA terrorist group operating in the Troodos Mountains in 1956. In 1964, the battalion joined theNATO deterrence in Germany on the front line in theCold War and from 1971 was regularly engaged in 'The Troubles' inNorthern Ireland until 1997. They were amongst the first units to cross the border fromKuwait in the 2003Iraq War.

Nine soldiers from the regiment have been awarded theVictoria Cross, and CorporalWayne Mills of the 1st Battalion became the first recipient of theConspicuous Gallantry Cross in 1994, whilst serving with theUnited Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was originally formed in 1702 asHuntingdon's Regiment. As regiment designations at that time assumed the name of commanding Colonel, this unit became for example:Henry Leigh's Regiment; thenRobert Duncansons Regiment andGeorge Wade's Regiment. Disbanded on 25 March 1714, this unit was officially registered as the33rd Regiment of Foot in January 1715 then re-raised on 25 March 1715, asGeorge Wade's Regiment; thenHenry Hawley's Regiment;Robert Dalzell's Regiment andJohn Johnson's Regiment.^[4]

In 1782 Lord Cornwallis, the then Colonel of the Regiment, wrote that "The 33rd Regiment of Infantry has always recruited in the West Riding of Yorkshire and has a very good interest and the general goodwill of the people in that part of the country:- I should therefore wish not only to be permitted to recruit in that county, but that my Regiment may bear the name of the 33rd or West Yorkshire Regiment". On 31 August 1782 Lord Cornwallis heard that the King had approved of the new title:-33rd (or the First Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot.^[4]

Owing to its links with theDuke of Wellington, the title 'The Duke of Wellington's Regiment' was granted to the 33rd Regiment on 18 June 1853, on the anniversary of theBattle of Waterloo in the year following Wellington's death.^[4]

The 76th Regiment was originally raised, bySimon Harcourt asLord Harcourt's Regiment on 17 November 1745 and disbanded in June 1746. Following the loss ofMenorca, to the French, it was re-raised in November 1756 as the61st Regiment, but renumbered to 76th, by General Order in 1758, and again disbanded in 1763. A second battalion raised by that regiment in October 1758, for service in Africa, was renumbered as the 86th Regiment and also disbanded in 1763. On 25 December 1777, the 76th was again re-raised, as the76th Regiment of Foot (Macdonald's Highlanders), by Colonel John MacDonell of Lochgarry, in the West of Scotland and Western Isles, as a Scottish Light Infantry regiment. It was disbanded atStirling Castle in March 1784. The regiment was again raised for service in India by theHonorable East India Company in 1787.^[5]

In 1881 the 76th Regiment, which shared the same Depot inHalifax as the 33rd, was linked to the 33rd, under theChilders Reforms, to become the 2nd Battalion. Although retitled as theHalifax Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) this title only lasted six months until it was changed on 30 June 1881, in a revised appendix to General order 41, to:-The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), or 'W Rid R' for short. In January 1921 it was again retitled toThe Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding), or 'DWR' for short.^[4]

Within months of its original raising the regiment was despatched to joinMarlborough's army in Holland. After five months and only two battles it was sent to Portugal, along with five other of Marlborough's best regiments, where it remained for the next six years. The 33rd fought in many battles including Valencia de Alcantara (1705), Zaragossa (1710), and less favourably atAlmansa andBrihuega. It was only one of the two foot regiments not to be disbanded and in 1743 the regiment was sent to Germany, where it distinguished itself in theBattle of Dettingen, gaining its firstbattle honour, then again at theBattle of Fontenoy in 1745 and again in Rocoux and Lauffeld in 1747.^[6] During the late 18th century, the regiment gained the familiar nicknameThe Havercakes, due to itssergeants carryingoatcakes on the tip of their swords to attract new recruits.^[7][8]

The 33rd itself had a good reputation for its professionalism and capability, which was seemingly unequalled by any other regiment of the British Army for some time. It was because of their professionalism in the field during theAmerican War of Independence, that the regiment was given the nickname 'The Pattern'; the regiment then became the standard of soldiering which all other regiments should attain.^[9]

The 33rd saw much action during the American War of Independence, with its first engagement at theBattle of Sullivan's Island (First Siege of Charleston) in early 1776, when British forces attempted an assault on that city's defences. In August of that year, the 33rd were involved in theBattle of Long Island, in which a heavy defeat was inflicted on the Americans, who evacuated their remaining forces to the island ofManhattan.^[10]

The regiment's next action came a fortnight later, on 16 September at theBattle of Harlem Heights. After the British had landed and seized New York, a force of British light infantry pursuing an American scouting patrol advanced too far from their lines and found itself in danger of being cut off in an unexpected counterattack. The 33rd formed part of Lord Cornwallis' Reserve Corps sent in support to cover their withdrawal.^[11]

The regiment was also involved in theBattle of Fort Washington. After that, the 33rd were not involved in a major battle until September 1777, when they took part in theBattle of Brandywine, where the British suffered 550 casualties and the Americans about 1,000. The regiment took part in further action that year, at theBattle of Germantown and theBattle of White Marsh, where they fought the Americans who had retreated from the fighting at Germantown.^[10]

The following year was just as active, with the 33rd seeing action at theBattle of Monmouth, an inclusive engagement that became the largest one-day battle of the war. The 33rd was also part of the defence ofNewport andQuaker Hill.^[10]

Two years later, in 1780, the 33rd took part in theSiege of Charleston. By 11 May, the American GeneralBenjamin Lincoln began to negotiate terms of surrender. The following day Lincoln, along with over 7,000 American soldiers, surrendered to the British forces under the command of Lieutenant-GeneralHenry Clinton. In August that year, the 33rd were involved at theBattle of Camden, a victory for the British.^[10]

The year 1781 proved to be the deadliest but most successful year for the 33rd. The regiment took part in theBattle of Wetzell's Mill, but the more famous action took place that same month during a battle at Guilford Court House.^[12]

On 14 March 1781,Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, was informed that GeneralRichard Butler was marching to attack his army. With Butler was a body ofNorth CarolinaMilitia, plus reinforcements fromVirginia, consisting of 3,000 Virginia Militia, a Virginia State regiment, a Corp of Virginian "eighteen-month men" and recruits for theMaryland Line. They had joined the command of Major GeneralNathanael Greene, creating a force of some four to five thousand men in total. During the night, further reports confirmed the American force was at Guilford Court House, some 12 miles (20km) away. Cornwallis decided to give battle, though he had only 1,900 men at his disposal.^[12]

At dawn on 15 March 1781, before the men had a chance to have breakfast, Cornwallis started for Guilford, arriving there at mid-day.^[13]

Cornwallis' troops included Bose's Hessian Regiment and the 71st commanded by Major GeneralAlexander Leslie and the 23rd and 33rd commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Webster of the 33rd. The second line comprised the two battalions of Foot Guards, the Light Infantry and the Grenadiers commanded by BrigadierCharles O'Hara of the 2nd Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards. There was then a reserve consisting of Tarleton's Light Dragoons.^[12]

The British troops advanced under heavy musket fire. Webster attacked the right flank of the American second line and managed to push it back. He also attacked the American third line. An American counterattack then led to a confused situation. Meanwhile, Tarleton's Light Dragoons charged the right flank.^[12] The American troops then withdrew. The British technically defeated the American force, but Webster was killed and O'Hara was wounded.^[12]

The 33rd also fought at theBattle of Green Spring in July of that year.^[10] Their last engagement of the war was at theSiege of Yorktown, when they were part of the outnumbered British forces.^[10]

In 1793Arthur Wesley, the third son of theEarl of Mornington and futureDuke of Wellington,purchased a commission in the 33rd as aMajor.^[14][15] A few months later, in September, his brother lent him more money and with it he purchased alieutenant-colonelcy in the 33rd.^[16][17]

The regiment took part in the disastrousFlanders Campaign and the retreat from Germany, and embarked, fromBremen, for England on 13 April 1795.^[18] Wesley was promoted to fullColonel by seniority on 3 May 1796^[19] and changed his name to Arthur Wellesley in 1798.^[20]

In 1799 the regiment took part in theFourth Anglo-Mysore War in a Division commanded by Colonel Arthur Wellesley, as part of aBritish East India Company army, commanded by Major General Harris, with Major General Sir David Baird as second in command. Arthur's eldest brother Richard Wellesley, 2nd Earl of Mornington, later 1st Marquess Wellesley, had just become Governor General of India. So in addition to the 33rd, Arthur, who had now become Colonel Arthur Wellesley, was given command of the 10,000 men of theNizam of Hyderabad.^[21] They had a decisive part to play in theBattle of Seringapatam. The regiment, involved in bitter fighting withTipu Sultan's warriors, were repulsed with heavy losses when they attacked a wood, which was strongly defended by the Sultan's forces. The 33rd rallied and fought further actions throughout the battle, with the British emerging decisively victorious and Tipu Sultan being killed. The regiment won a battle honour for its involvement in the action.^[22]

By early March 1815, the regiment was again under the command of the Duke of Wellington, this time during theHundred Days campaign of Napoleon. Having taken part in the action of the previous day, at theBattle of Quatre Bras, they took part in the action atWaterloo; the 33rd was part of the 5th Brigade under the command ofMajor General SirColin Halkett.^[23]

Having departed from Paris on 23 December 1815, the regiment spent the post Waterloo period, from January 1816 to 1821, in uneventful garrison duties inGuernsey,Stirling,Glasgow,Ulster andDublin.^[24]

In 1822, the regiment was posted toJamaica. TheWest Indies were notorious as the death bed of the British Army because of the high mortality rate frommalaria,dysentery,yellow fever and other such endemic diseases.^[24]

Owing to its links with Wellington, the title33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment was granted to the 33rd, on 18 June 1853 (the 38th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo) byQueen Victoria, in honour of the 1st Duke of Wellington, who had died on 14 September the previous year.^[25]

At theBattle of Alma, bitter fighting took place, with the 33rd being part of the Light Division under the command ofSir George Brown. The British advanced up the slope towards the Russian positions. The British formations became intermingled, turning into a mass of soldiers, rather than the professional, neat formations used on parade. As they charged, numerous Russian troops came down the slope to meet them. The British halted and fired, causing so many casualties the Russians were forced to retreat. The British line reorganised and moved up the slope towards the Great Redoubt, with the 33rd being the first to attack the defence works. The 33rd suffered heavy casualties: 7 officers and 232 men in the hand-to-hand combat that ensued.^[26]

At theBattle of Inkerman, the 33rd were again involved in some bitter fighting, in which the British infantry advanced despite heavy losses and a strong defence by the Russians. The fighting was fierce, at times some soldiers resorting to attacking their enemy with the butts of their guns. The 33rd suffered further casualties: 3 officers and 61 men.^[27]

The 33rd was involved in theSiege of Sevastopol, which lasted for 11 months. By 1856, the war was over but for little gain.^[28]

The 33rd were part of an expedition sent to the East African nation of Abyssinia, now known asEthiopia after several European citizens had been taken hostage by the self-appointed 'King'Emperor Tewodros II in 1864. In March 1866 a Britishenvoy had been despatched to secure the release of a group ofmissionaries who had first been seized after the British Government refused Tewodros's requests for military assistance.^[28]

The 33rd was committed to Abyssinia in October 1867 and embarked on 21 November, arriving at Annesley Bay on 4 December; but did not disembark for three days due to the chaos on shore.^[29]

Lord Napier arrived in early January 1868 and the expedition started from the advance camp atSenafe at the beginning of February. It took two months to reach their objective, advancing through rough terrain. In his despatch to London Lord Napier reported: "Yesterday morning (we) descended three thousand nine hundred feet toBashilo River and approachedMagdala with 'First Brigade' to reconnoitre it. Theodore opened fire with seven guns from outwork, one thousand feet above us, and three thousand five hundred men of the garrison made a gallant sortie which was repulsed with very heavy loss and the enemy driven into Magdala. British loss, twenty wounded".^[30]

As the British force moved on to Magdala, Tewodros II sent two of the hostages on parole to offer terms. Napier insisted on the release of all the hostages and an unconditional surrender. Tewodros refused to cede to the unconditional surrender, but did release the European hostages. The British continued the advance and assaulted the fortress. (The native hostages were later found to have had their hands and feet cut off before being sent over the edge of the precipice surrounding the plateau.)^[31]

On reaching the gate there was a pause in the advance, as it was discovered the engineer unit had forgot their powder kegs and scaling ladders and were ordered to return for them. GeneralStaveley was not happy at any further delay and ordered the 33rd to continue the attack. Several officers and the men of the 33rd Regiment, along with an officer from the Royal Engineers, parted from the main force and, after climbing the cliff face, found their way blocked by a thorny hedge over a wall. PrivateJames Bergin, a very tall man, used his bayonet to cut a hole in the hedge and DrummerMichael Magner climbed onto his shoulders through the hedge in the gap and dragged Bergin up behind him as Ensign Conner and Corporal Murphy helped shove from below. Bergin kept up a rapid rate of fire on the Koket-Bir as Magner dragged more men through the gap in the hedge. As more men poured through and opened fire as they advanced with their bayonets the defenders withdrew through the second gate. The party rushed the Koket-bir before it was fully closed and then took the second gate breaking through to the Amba. Ensign Wynter scrambled up onto the top of the second gate and fixed the 33rd Regiments Colours to show the Plateau had been taken. Private Bergin and Drummer Magner were later awarded theVictoria Cross for their part in the action.^[32]

Tewodros II was found dead inside the second gate, having shot himself with a pistol that had been a gift from Queen Victoria. When his death was announced all opposition ceased. The regiment later received the battle honourAbyssinia.^[33]

The invasion scare of 1859 led to the creation of theVolunteer Force and huge enthusiasm for joining local Rifle Volunteer Corps (RVCs).^[34] A large number of individual RVCs were raised in the West Riding; some amalgamated into larger units, and the rest of the smaller units were grouped into administrative battalions. For example, the RVCs raised inHalifax were amalgamated as the 4th Yorkshire (West Riding) RVC in 1860. The senior unit in the 5th Admin Bn atHuddersfield was the 6th Yorkshire (West Riding) RVC, officially entitled theHuddersfield Rifles in 1868. In 1880 the 5th Admin Bn was consolidated as a new6th Yorkshire (West Riding) RVC. Similarly, the 2nd Admin Bn atSkipton-in-Craven was consolidated as a new 9th Yorkshire (West Riding) RVC in 1880.^[35][36][37]

TheChilders Reforms (and as a continuation of theCardwell Reforms) brought theMilitia into the regimental system, and the two battalions of 6th West York Militia became the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's.^[38] The 76th Foot was amalgamated with the 33rd Foot and became the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, with a new stand of 2nd Battalion colours and retaining the original stand of 76th's Honorary Colours. The 1st Battalion retained their original regimental colours.^[39]

At the same time the three West Riding Volunteer battalions became linked with the regiment.^[40] In February 1883, as part of the Childers Reforms, these three corps were designated as the 1st,2nd and 3rd Volunteer Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. By 1887 they had adopted the same uniform as the parent unit.^[36] Under the mobilisation scheme introduced by theStanhope Memorandum of December 1888 the Volunteer Battalions of the Duke of Wellington's were assigned to theWest Yorkshire Volunteer Infantry Brigade inNorthern Command and in the event of war were expected to mobilise atLeeds.^[41][42]

The 2nd battalion was stationed at theImperial fortress ofBermuda (where it had previously been from 1840 to 1841)^[43][44][45] from 1886, where new Colours were presented byGovernor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Lionel John Gallwey, Royal Engineers, on 2 May, 1888, atProspect Camp.^[46] The battalion was transferred toHalifax, Nova Scotia later in 1888, and then to the West Indies in 1891. In April 1893 the battalion, under Lt-Col. E. Nesbitt, set sail for theCape Colony, posting one company onSt Helena en route. In October a detachment of 3 officers and 51 NCOs and men were despatched up-country to serve with theBechuanaland Border Police in theMatabele Uprising, in a complicated arrangement due to the fact that the BPP was at the time run by theBritish South Africa Company.^[47][48]

Some detachments of the battalion stayed on to serve in theSecond Matabele War (1896–1897), being stationed in thecolony of Natal in between. 13 officers and 320 NCOs and men proceeded on active service. Some served on the staff, some with mounted infantry, some with the Matabeleland Relief Force and other service companies.^[49][48][47]

The regiment began the first year of the 20th century at war when both battalions met inSouth Africa, as reinforcements for British forces fightingBoers, in theSecond Boer War. The 1st battalion had arrived there before war started in 1899, the 2nd battalion arrived in early 1900, and took part in theRelief of Kimberley, in February 1900, which had been under siege by the Boers since October 1899. The battalion also took part in theBattle of Paardeberg.^[50]

The 3rd (Militia) Battalion (the former 6th West York Militia) was embodied in January 1900 for service inSouth Africa, and 500 officers and men leftQueenstown forCape Town the following month.^[51] Most of the battalion returned to the United Kingdom in late May 1902.^[52]

All three Volunteer Battalions also sent service companies to support the Regular battalions, and received the Battle HonourSouth Africa 1900–1902.^[53]

Following the end of the war in South Africa, the 1st battalion returned to York, while the 2nd battalion went toBritish India, first toRangoon then in late 1902 toLebong inBengal.^[54]

When theTerritorial Force (TF) was formed under theHaldane Reforms in 1908, Volunteer Battalions were renumbered as battalions of their parent regiments. The Duke of Wellington's 1st VB became the 4th Battalion, (4DWR), atPrescott Street in Halifax. The 2nd VB formed two new battalions: the5th Battalion, (5DWR), atSt Paul's Street in Huddersfield, and the 7th Battalion, (7DWR), atScar Lane inMilnsbridge. The 3rd VB became the 6th Battalion, (6DWR), atOtley Road in Skipton. The former West Yorkshire Brigade was split in two, and the four TF battalions of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment composed the new2nd West Riding Brigade in theWest Riding Division.^{[36][55][56][57]}

The 1st Battalion remained in India throughout the war, serving first with the2nd (Rawalpindi) Division and then with the1st (Peshawar) Division.^[58]

The 2nd Battalion landed atLe Havre as part of the13th Brigade in the5th Division in August 1914 for service on theWestern Front.^[58] It first saw action at theBattle of Mons. It then fought a rearguard action at theBattle of Le Cateau, an action during theretreat from Mons. The 2nd Battalion also fought at theFirst Battle of the Marne, theBattle of the Aisne, theBattle of La Bassée and the brutalfirst Battle of Ypres.^[59] The 2nd Battalion was also at theBattle of Hill 60 during which the British launched a massive bombardment, followed by an assault that led to vicious hand-to-hand fighting. The 8th Battalion saw service in theGallipoli Campaign and the 10th Battalion was in action atPiave in Italy.^[59]

The 1/4th, 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th battalions landed in France as part of the147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade in the49th (West Riding) Division in April 1915 for service on the Western Front and served together until theArmistice in November 1918.^[58] They saw action on theSomme, atYpres, during theGerman spring offensive and the final AlliedHundred Days Offensive.^[57]

In August 1914 the Territorial Force formed 2nd Line units, distinguished from the 1st Line by the addition of '2/' to the battalion number, the parent units taking '1/'. The 2/4th,2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions of the Duke of Wellingtons formed186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade in62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. The division's training was hampered by the lack of equipment and by the need to provide drafts to the 1st Line units serving overseas, but finally landed in France in January 1917 and served on the Western Front until the Armistice.^[58] It fought atArras,Cambrai, in the Spring Offensive and the Hundred Days, and was the only TF division selected to form part of the Allied occupation force in the Rhineland after the war.^[60]

The Territorial Force battalions also formed 3rd Line units, which remained in the UK training and supplying drafts for the battalions overseas.^[58]

The 8th (Service) Battalion landed atSuvla Bay inGallipoli as part of the32nd Brigade in the11th (Northern) Division in August 1915; the battalion was evacuated in January 1916 and moved to France in July 1916 for service on the Western Front.^[58] The 9th (Service) Battalion landed atBoulogne-sur-Mer as part of the52nd Brigade in the17th (Northern) Division in July 1915 also for service on the Western Front while the 10th (Service) Battalion landed atLe Havre as part of the69th Brigade in the23rd Division in August 1915 also for service on the Western Front.^[58]

In 1919, the 1st Battalion took part in theThird Anglo-Afghan War and eventually returned home in 1921.^[59] Meanwhile, the regiment's title altered slightly in 1921 toDuke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding).^[61]

In the 1930s the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence for Britain's cities was addressed by converting a number of TA infantry battalions into searchlight battalions of theRoyal Engineers (RE). The 5th Duke of Wellington's was one unit selected for this role, becoming43rd (5th Duke of Wellington's) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers (5DWR) in 1936, retaining its Duke of Wellington's cap badge.^[62][63]

In 1938, the 4th Battalion at Halifax was converted into58th (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (4DWR).^[63][64] A duplicate unit, the 68th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed in 1939, with headquarters at Cleckheaton.^[65]

TheSecond World War was declared on 3 September 1939, and the 1st Battalion, commanded byLieutenant ColonelEdmund Charles Beard, was immediately sent toFrance as part of the3rd Infantry Brigade of the1st Infantry Division of1st Corps of theBEF. During the retreat toDunkirk, the 'Dukes' formed part of the rearguard.^[66]

The 'Dukes' fought in theNorth African Campaign, fighting with distinction in a number of actions and gaining several Battle Honours, as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade. They fought at the Battle of Medjez Plain and the Battle of Banana Ridge and in the Battle of Djebel bou Aoukaz. TheBou was a ridge dominating theMedjez el Bab toTunis road.^[66]

The 'Dukes' also fought in theItalian Campaign. They took part in theAnzio Campaign, in an attempt to outflank theGustav Line and force a German retreat fromMonte Cassino. The 'Dukes' fought with distinction at the Battle of Monte Cece in October 1944 where CaptainArthur Burns was awarded aDSO and PrivateRichard Henry Burton of the 1st Battalion was awarded aVictoria Cross for his courageous action in the battle.^[66]

• 
  View of 'point 171' from the dry Wadi
• 
  Remnant of Trench at 'Point 171' facing towards 'Point 226'
• 
  View of 'Point 226', on Bou Aoukaz, from 'Point 171'
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  Men of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, advance past a burning fuel store onPantelleria duringOperation Corkscrew
• 
  Memorial Plaque on summit of Monte Cece (Monte Ceco), nearCasola Valsenio
• 
  Men of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment marching into Rome, 8 June 1944

In theFar East, the 2nd Battalion took part in the rearguard action at theBattle of Sittang Bridge in February 1942. They were trained asChindits, to operate behind Japanese lines, who were at that time attackingIndia, they were formed into two columns, the 33rd and 76th,^[a] to operate behind the Japanese lines during the fierce battles forImphal andKohima.^[66]

The regiment served inNorth Africa,Italy,Greece andAustria during the war.^[63][67]

See main articleHuddersfield Rifles

43rd AA Battalion served in31st (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, protecting West Yorkshire during theBlitz. In 1940 the RE AA battalions were transferred to theRoyal Artillery, and it became the43rd (5th Duke of Wellington's) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.^[62][63]

In 1944 the regiment was assigned to21st Army Group preparing for theNormandy Campaign. In the event, the regiment did not take part. However, by the autumn of 1944, the GermanLuftwaffe was suffering from such shortages of pilots, aircraft and fuel that serious aerial attacks on the UK could be discounted. At the same time 21st Army Group was experiencing a severe manpower shortage, particularly among the infantry. TheWar Office began to reorganise surplus AA regiments in the UK into infantry units, primarily for duties in the rear areas, thereby releasing trained infantry for frontline service.^[68][69] On 1 October 1944, 43rd S/L Rgt was converted into43rd (5th Bn Duke of Wellington's) Garrison Regiment, RA.^{[62][63][70][71][72][73]} A month later, it was reorganised as an infantry battalion and redesignated600th Regiment RA (5th Bn Duke of Wellington's). It was the first such RA infantry regiment formed, and was sent to joinSecond Army in NW Europe for line of communication duties.^{[62][63][72][74][75][76]} The unit was placed in 'suspended animation' in February 1945 and its personnel drafted to other units.^[63][74]

The 1/6th and 1/7th battalions of the regiment were both assigned to the147th Infantry Brigade, alongside the 1/5thWest Yorkshire Regiment, which itself was part of the49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. The brigade did not see service with the rest of the division in theNorwegian Campaign, but were instead sent toIceland after it wasinvaded in 1940, and remained there until May 1942 when it was transferred back to the United Kingdom. On 28 February 1943, both 2/6DWR and 2/7DWR battalions had been dissolved and the 1/6DWR and 1/7DWR battalions dropped the /prefix, becoming, simply, (6DWR) and (7DWR) respectively. They bothlanded in Normandy on 12 June 1944 shortly after theD-Day landings of 6 June. They fought in theBattle of Normandy as part of theBritish Second Army in its attempts tocapture the city of Caen. In particular, the 6th Battalion was severely mauled duringOperation Martlet and, due to the heavy casualties sustained, was returned to the United Kingdom and disbanded, most of its men being sent to the 7th Battalion. They were replaced in the brigade by the 1st Battalion,Leicestershire Regiment. The 7th Battalion continued to fight in the Normandy Campaign in theSecond Battle of the Odon, andclearing the Channel Ports inOperation Astonia.^[77]

After the failure ofOperation Market Garden, the 7th Battalion was stationed at theNijmegen bridgehead, in late November, and aroundHaalderen.^[78] Just after midnight of 1 December the battalion was being hit by heavy artillery, mortar andSpandau fire. As the night progressed they came under attack from multiple infantry elements of theGerman 6th Parachute Division in an attempt to capture theNijmegen bridge. Fighting intensified, taking in house to house fighting throughout Haalderen andGendt During the nights of 3–4 December, with small arms and grenades, with the Dukes 'A Company' Headquarters in the village school. Fighting was very confused and movement limited due to heavy flooding of the ground from the breached canals and river.^[79] A German officer, 2nd Lieutenant Heinich, 5 Coy 16 Parachute Regiment, was captured by members of 'B' company, who were laying trip flares. MajorDenis Hamilton (who was in temporary command of the battalion) quickly organised a defence, using his Bren Gun Carriers, to hold back the Germans. Over 100 prisoners, with a further 50 killed or wounded were taken from the 5th, 7th and 10th companies of the German 16 Para Regiment.^[80] By 6 December the attack had died out and the 'Dukes' were relieved by the 11th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. 7DWR moved into reserve inBemmel where they received sporadic shelling from heavy artillery, whilst putting out patrols to guard against a potential waterborne attack on the Nijmegen bridge.^[81] The next notable service seen by the battalion was in theLiberation of Arnhem in April 1945, shortly beforeVictory in Europe Day.^[82]

Throughout the spring and summer of 1939, theTerritorial Army was ordered to expand in size and double its strength by creating duplicate units and, as a result, the 6th and 7th battalions created duplicate units, the 2/6th and 2/7th battalions. Both battalions became part of the137th Infantry Brigade, attached to the46th (West Riding and North Midland) Infantry Division and were sent overseas to France in April 1940 to join theBritish Expeditionary Force. Poorly trained and equipped, both battalions were battered during theGerman Army'sblitzkrieg during theBattle of France and were forced toretreat to Dunkirk and beevacuated to England. The battalions spent the next two years on home defence, preparing for aGerman invasion which never arrived. In July 1942 these battalions were transferred to theRoyal Armoured Corps and converted to armour as114 RAC and115 RAC. They continued to wear their Duke's badge on the black beret of the Royal Armoured Corps.^[83]

The regiment's 8th Battalion was raised in July 1940 and in 1941 it was also converted to a tank unit becoming145th Regiment RAC (8DWR).^[83] The regiment served in21st Army Tank Brigade, equipped withChurchill tanks. It joined 1st Army inAlgeria,North Africa and was transferred to25th Army Tank Brigade in support of24 Guards Brigade (1st Division) on the push throughCasablanca andOran toTunisia.^[84] It was one of the units in support of the Dukes 1st Battalion and theLoyal Regiment (North Lancashire) at theBattle of Banana Ridge, overlooking theMedjez el Bab plain, as the front part of a five-mile-wide divisional offensive to advance onTunis. The battle on the ridge resulted in the 1st Dukes and the QLR's being the only units to be award the battle honourBanana Ridge.^[85] A following battle resulted in the award of the battle honourDjebel Bou Aoukaz on the 1st Dukes, the 1stKing's Shropshire Light Infantry and145th Regiment RAC (8DWR).^[86]

The 9th Battalion was also converted to armour, becoming146th Regiment RAC (DWR).^[83]

When the TA was reformed in 1947, the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions became the382nd (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Anti-Tank Regiment (later Medium Regiment),578th (5th Bn, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, and673rd (Duke of Wellington's Regiment) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment respectively of the Royal Artillery. Notes in the DWR magazine of April 1949 regarding the 673 (DWR) LAA Regiment said that "the Regiment has had a very varied career since it was formed on May 1, 1947. We started off our existence as a Mobile H.A.A. Regiment in 92 A.G.R.A. In September, 1948, 92 A.G.R.A. was disbanded, and the Regiment is now attached toAnti-Aircraft Command but still remains a Field Force unit of the 21 Northern Corps. On January 1, 1949, we converted to L.A.A., and "hope that this is the last of the changes."^[87]

In 1955 the three regiments merged into the 382nd, each providing one battery. In 1957 some of the 5th Bn battery transferred to the 7th Bn (still in the infantry role) and formed the 5/7th Bn, thereby bringing together both parts of the former 2nd Volunteer Bn. Finally, in 1961, the rest of 382 Rgt converted to infantry and merged with the 5/7th Bn, bringing together all four Territorial battalions of the regiment as theWest Riding Battalion, which in 1967 became part of theYorkshire Volunteers.^{[56][62][63][64][88][89][90][91][92][93]}

The 1st Battalion was deployed toKorea in 1952, two years after theKorean War had broken out. They were part of the1st Commonwealth Division.^[94]

In 1953, the 1st Battalion relieved theBlack Watch, who had beendefending a position known as The Hook, a crescent shaped ridge, which was of tactical importance in theCommonwealth sector. The third Battle of the Hook began on 28 May. An initial bombardment of the British positions took place, with the Chinese forces charging the forward British positions once the bombardment ceased. The fighting that ensued was bloody and more akin to the battles that the 'Dukes' had fought in the First World War. Shells were now raining down on the Hook from artillery and mortars, from both the Chinese andUN forces. The Chinese launched a second attack but were cut down by heavy fire from the UN forces. Further attacks occurred on 28 May, but all were defeated in heavy fighting. Just 30 minutes into 29 May, the Chinese forces launched another attack but, as before, they were beaten back. Alma Company of 'The 'Dukes' then began advancing up the line of the original trenches to dislodge the remaining Chinese forces in the forward trenches. The 'Dukes' secured the Hook at 3:30a.m. The 'Dukes' losses were three officers and 17 other ranks killed and two officers and 84 other ranks wounded, plus 20 other ranks missing.^[95]

The 'Dukes' embarked forGibraltar on 13 November 1953, arriving on 10 December. In May 1954, during a visit to Gibraltar by QueenElizabeth II and theDuke of Edinburgh, the Commanding Officer of the 'Dukes' (Lieutenant Colonel FR St P Bunbury) and a further 10 officers and other ranks received decorations for their actions in Korea.^[96]

After the bloody encounters in the Korean War, the 'Dukes' were occupied by a series of garrison duties. The 'Dukes' were first deployed toGibraltar, then toCyprus in 1956, where they participated in so-called anti-terrorist operations againstEOKA. The following year, the 'Dukes' deployed toNorthern Ireland. They moved back to the mainland in 1959, joining the new UK Strategic Reserve, as part of19 Infantry Brigade.^[97] On 6 August 1959 the Regimental Depot, at Wellesley Barracks, was closed down. training of new recruits was undertaken at the Kings Division depot atStrensall Barracks.^[98]

The 'Dukes' returned to theUK in 1970. Then deployed to Northern Ireland a number of times during The Troubles. In one deployment in 1972 three soldiers were killed.^[97]

In 1983 they provided thegarrison regiment in Gibraltar.^[99]

In 1985, the 'Dukes' deployed toBelize for a six-month tour of duty, taking part in operation 'Holdfast'.^[97] In 1987 the 'Dukes' deployed again to Northern Ireland for a two-year tour, based in Palace Barracks, just outside the City of Belfast.^[97]

In March 1994, the 'Dukes' deployed toBosnia, with an area of responsibility coveringBugojno,Vitez,Travnik and the besiegedenclave ofGoražde. The latter was under siege for much of the war. It was declared aUN Safe Zone in that year. The 'Dukes' were one of the first units to enter the town. The regiment pushed theBosnian-Serb Army from their positions around the town to a distance of over one mile. Their objective in doing this was to create a safe zone for the town. While at Goražde, Private Shaun Taylor of C Company was killed during an engagement with Bosnian-Serb forces while manning an observation post. The engagement lasted fifteen minutes, with over 2,000 rounds of ammunition being expended by the 'Dukes'. Seven of the Bosnian-Serb soldiers were killed in the fire-fight. Goražde remained a safe zone, being held by British troops from 1994 to 1995. It was the only safe zone to survive the war and avoided the tragedies that occurred in other UN safe zones such asSrebrenica andŽepa.^[100]

CorporalWayne Mills of the 1st Battalion became the first recipient of theConspicuous Gallantry Cross, second only to theVictoria Cross. On (29 April 1994), a patrol led by Corporal Mills came under heavy small-arms fire from a group of Bosnian Serbs. The patrol returned fire, killing two of the attackers. The patrol then withdrew, but the attackers persisted in firing on the patrol. The patrol soon reached an open clearing, where it was obvious they would be highly vulnerable to fire from the attackers. Corporal Mills then performed an astonishing feat of bravery. He turned back and engaged the group in a fire-fight, delaying the attackers long enough to allow the rest of his patrol to cross the clearing. While doing this brave act, Corporal Mills shot the leader of the group, with the rest scattering into the woods. Due to that action he returned to his patrol safely, who were giving covering fire.^[100]

Lieutenant-ColonelDavid Santa-Olalla received theDistinguished Service Order for his inspirational leadership and courage during the 'Dukes' deployment to Bosnia. He arranged for the mutual withdrawal of both Serbian and Muslim forces, from the besieged town of Goražde, just as theGeneva talks were being held on the town.^[100]

In March 1995, the 'Dukes' were again posted to Northern Ireland for a two-year tour of duty.^[100] In March 1997, a composite company from the 1st Battalion was deployed to theFalkland Islands. In 1998, C Company deployed for a tour of duty inSouth Armagh. During the period 1998–2000, the 1st Battalion served as apublic duties unit in London.^[100]

In February 2001, a company from the 'Dukes' deployed toKosovo, with the objective of preventing arms and munitions being transported fromAlbania into Kosovo, then onto the Former Yugolav Republic Of Macedonia, now known as theRepublic of Macedonia.^[100]

In 2003, the 'Dukes' were part ofOperation Telic, theinvasion of Iraq, as part of1 (United Kingdom) Armoured Division. The 'Dukes' returned, as part of4 (Armoured) Brigade, to the South-East of Iraq, in October 2004, to join the British-ledMulti-National Division (South-East), as a fully equipped armoured infantry battalion with Warrior Armoured Personnel Carriers.^[100]

During 2003, inOsnabrück, Germany, where the 'Dukes' were then based, the regiment celebrated its 300th year in existence. Over 2000 past and present members converged on the town to take part in the celebrations. The 'Dukes' were presented with newcolours by HM QueenElizabeth II, represented by The Colonel of The RegimentMajor-General Sir Evelyn John Webb-Carter KCB, due to the ill health of the Queen's representative, the regiment'sColonel-in-Chief the Duke of Wellington.^[100]

The regiment had abeer called Havercake Ale named in their honour by theTimothy Taylor Brewery,Keighley, to mark the regiment's tercentenary. Timothy Taylor, the founder of the brewery, had served in an antecedent unit of the regiment during 1859. Since then other members of the family and employees had also enlisted as a 'Duke'.^[101]

On 12 November 2005, the regiment was awarded the "Keys to the Town" ofErquinghem-Lys inFrance.^[102]

In December 2004, as part of there-organisation of theinfantry, it was announced that the Duke of Wellington's Regiment would be amalgamated with thePrince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and theGreen Howards', allYorkshire-based regiments in theKing's Division, to form theYorkshire Regiment. The re-badging parade took place on 6 June 2006.^[103]

The 'Dukes' had five companies, named to commemorate five significant campaigns and battles, in which the Dukes took part and were awarded aBattle honour, which have been retained by the battalion in the Yorkshire Regiment:^[104]

A Company — Alma — commemorating theBattle of Alma, during the Crimean War 1853–1856

B Company — Burma — commemorating theBurma Campaign, during the Second World War 1941–1944

C Company — Corunna — commemorating theBattle of Corunna, during the Peninsular War of 1809–1813

Support Company — Somme — commemorating theBattle of the Somme, during the First World War 1914–1918

Headquarter Company — Hook — commemorating theBattle of the Hook, during the Korean war 1952–1953

When required an additional rifle company was formed:- D Company — Dettingen — commemorating theBattle of Dettingen, during theWar of the Austrian Succession in 1743 and an additional administration company:- W Company — Waterloo — commemorating theBattle of Waterloo, during theWaterloo campaign in 1815. Both companies having previously existed during the Dukes existence.

For 65 years,Captain Sir Tom Moore organised the annual reunion for the 9th Battalion veterans.^[105]

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment had fourcolours on parade. The first pair of colours were the standard set of Regulation Colours, which all Regiments are presented with. The second pair was a set of Honorary Colours, which were originally presented to the 76th Regiment of Foot in 1808 for their actions during theBattle of Ally Ghur andDelhi in 1803.^[106]

The Honorary Colours were approximately 6-foot 6 inch by 6-foot. Following rebadging, on 6 June 2006, the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) inherited responsibility for parading the Honorary Colours. On 31 March 2007 the Regulation colours were taken out of service and laid up inHalifax Parish church. There was a short ceremony in the church grounds where the troops were inspected by theMayor of Halifax, Councillor Colin Stout, and theLord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe.^[107]

On 17 May 2019 a bronze memorial to the regiment, made by Devon sculptor, Andrew Sinclair,^[108] and his partner Diane, was unveiled, by the9th Duke of Wellington in the Woolshops area of Halifax.^[109]

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Museum is based atBankfield House, inHalifax, Yorkshire.^[110]

The regiment's battle honours were as follows:^[38]

• War of the Austrian Succession

  Dettingen

• India

  Hindoostan,Mysore,Seringapatam,Ally Ghur,Delhi 1803,Leswaree,Deig

• Spain:

  Corunna

• France:

  Nive,Peninsular

• Belgium

  Waterloo

• Crimean War:

  Alma,Inkerman,Sevastopol,

• Abyssinia:

  Abyssinia

• South Africa:

  Relief of Kimberley,Paardeberg,South Africa 1900–02

• First World War:

  Mons,Le Cateau,Retreat from Mons,Marne 1914 and1918,Aisne 1914,La Bassée 1914,Ypres 1914,1915 and1917,Nonne Bosschen,Hill 60,Gravenstafel,St. Julien,Aubers,Somme 1916 and1918,Albert 1916 and1918,Bazentin,Delville Wood,Pozières,Flers-Courcelette,Morval,Thiepval,Le Transloy,Ancre Heights,Arras 1917 and1918,Scarpe 1917 and1918,Arleux,Bullecourt,Messines 1917 and 1918,Langemarck 1917,Menin Road,Polygon Wood,Broodseinde,Poelcappelle,Passchendaele,Cambrai 1917 and1918,St Quentin,Ancre 1918,Lys,Estaires,Hazebrouck,Bailleul,Kemmel,Bethune,Scherpenberg,Tardenois,Amiens,Bapaume 1918,Drocourt-Quéant,Hindenburg Line,Havrincourt,Épehy,Canal du Nord,Selle,Valenciennes,Sambre,France and Flanders 1914–18,Piave,Vittorio Veneto,Italy 1917–18,Suvla,Landing at Suvla,Scimitar Hill,Gallipoli 1915,Egypt 1916–17

• Third Anglo-Afghan War

  Afghanistan 1919

• Second World War:

  Dunkirk 1940,St. Valery-en-Caux,Tilly sur Seulles,Odon,Fontenay Le Pesnil,North-West Europe 1940and 1944–45,Banana Ridge,Medjez Plain,Gueriat el Atach Ridge,Tunis,Djebel Bou Aoukaz 1943,North Africa 1943,Anzio,Campoleone,Rome,Monte Ceco,Italy 1943–45,Sittang 1942,Paungde,Kohima,Chindits 1944,Burma Campaign (1942–44)

• Korea:

  The Hook 1953,Korea 1952–53

• Iraq:

  Iraq 2003 (Theatre Honour)

On formation in 1702 as the Earl of Huntingdon's Regiment a red coat lined with yellow was worn, together with yellow breeches. Later in the 18th Century the coats had redfacings but white linings which showed in the turn-backed skirts. For the remainder of its history the regiment was unusual in that the collars, cuffs and shoulder straps of its red coats were also red (most British regiments had facings of contrasting colours). This continued to be the case with the scarlet tunic worn by all ranks in full dress until 1914 and by bandsmen until amalgamation (see illustrations above). Officers were distinguished by silver buttons and braid until 1830 and thereafter by gold. After 1893 the badge of the Duke of Wellington was worn.^[111]

• les Voltigeurs de Québec,Canada
• 10th Battalion, TheBaloch Regiment,Pakistan
• HMSIron Duke,Royal Navy

Victoria Cross recipients have been:^[112]

• DrummerMichael Magner
• PrivateJames Bergin
• SergeantJames Firth
• Second LieutenantJames Palmer Huffam
• Second LieutenantHenry Kelly
• PrivateArnold Loosemore
• PrivateArthur Poulter
• PrivateRichard Henry Burton
• PrivateHenry Tandey was awarded his VC for actions during his service with the 'Dukes' and donated his medals to the Regimental Museum in Halifax, West Yorkshire. On special occasions and parades he would sign them out to wear. The last time he signed them out he died. Unknowingly, the medals were sold and a private collector subsequently presented the medals to the Regimental Museum ofThe Green Howards, a regiment in which he had earlier served.
• Acting-SergeantHanson Victor Turner – originally a member of the regiment, he was serving withThe West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own) when he was awarded his VC. When his medal was put up for sale it was purchased by the Halifax Town Council, as he was a Halifax resident. It is displayed in the Regimental Museum, in Halifax.

Colonels of the regiment have been:^[113]

• 1702–1703 ColGeorge Hastings.
• 1703–1705 Col Henry Leigh.
• 1705–1705 ColRobert Duncanson (12 February to 8 May 1705).
• 1705–1717 F.M.George Wade.
• 1717–1730 Lt-GenHenry Hawley.
• 1730–1739 Lt-Gen Robert Dalzell.
• 1739–1753 Lt-Gen John Johnson.

• 1753–1760 Maj-GenLord Charles Hay.
• 1760–1766 F.M.John Griffin, 4th Baron Howard de Walden.
• 1766–1805 GenCharles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG.

• 1806–1812 F.M.Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington KG GCB GCH.
• 1813–1830 GenJohn Coape Sherbrooke GCB.
• 1830–1831 GenLord Charles Somerset PC.
• 1831–1845 GenSir Charles Wale KCB.
• 1845–1847 Lieutenant General SirHenry Sheehy Keating KCB.
• 1847–1855 General Henry D’Oyly.

• 1855–1863Field Marshal Sir Charles Yorke GCB.
• 1863–1881General William Nelson Hutchinson.(continued below)

* incorporating the76th Regiment of Foot

• 1881–1895General William Nelson Hutchinson(1st Battalion)
• 1881–1886 General Frederick Darley George CB.(2nd Battalion)
• 1895–1897 Maj-GenGeorge Elphinstone Erskine
• 1897–1909 GenHugh Rowlands VC KCB
• 1909–1934 Lt-GenSir Herbert Eversley Belfield KCB KCMG KBE DSO

• 1934–1938 Brig-Gen Percy Alexander Turner CMG
• 1938–1947 Colonel Charles James Pickering CMG DSO
• 1947–1957 GenSir Alexander Frank Philip Christison, Bt, GBE CB DSO MC
• 1957–1965 Maj-Gen Kenneth Godfrey Exham KG CB DSO
• 1965–1975 GenSir Robert Napier Hubert Campbell Bray GBE KCB DSO
• 1975–1982 Maj-Gen Donald Edward Isles CB OBE
• 1982–1990 GenSir Charles Richard Huxtable KCB CBE
• 1990–1999 BrigWilliam Richard Mundell OBE
• 1999–2006 Maj-Gen SirEvelyn John Webb-Carter KCVO OBE

The 'Dukes' had a long and proudRugby tradition. They produced in their history 11 international players, 7 English, 1 Irish and 3 Scottish, with over 50 players capped for the army against the Navy & Air Force since 1914.^[114]

ForRugby union they list:- Capt (Bull) Faithfull, England (3 Caps) 1924. LieutenantWF (Horsey) Brown, Army & Ireland (12 Caps), 1925–1928. CaptainMike Campbell-Lamerton, Army, London Scottish, Scotland (23 Caps),British Lions in South Africa in 1962, Captain of the British Lions in Australia & New Zealand in 1966. Lieutenant CF Grieve and FJ Reynolds Toured South Africa in 1938 with the British Lions. In the early 1950s DW Shuttleworth and EMP Hardy provided the Half back pairing for England. Corporals Waqabaca and Ponjiasi played forFiji. Brigadier DW Shuttleworth became the President of the English Rugby Football Union during the 1985/86 season. In 1957–1959, whilst stationed in Northern Ireland, the 'Dukes' played rugby throughout Ulster. At the end of the tour the Ulster Team honoured the regiment by playing them atRavenhill, with the 'Dukes' winning 19 – 8. In 1960 during an emergency posting to Kenya the Kenyan ChampionsNakuru heard the Dukes were there and challenged them to a match. TheKenya Regiment loaned them their team strip to wear. The 'Dukes' won the match.^[114]

The regiment'srugby league internationals include:Brian Curry, England, 1956;Norman Field, GB, 1963;Roy Sabine, GB;Jack Scroby, Army 1959, GBHalifax &Bradford Northern;Charlie Renilson, Scotland, GB, 1965 andArthur 'Ollie' Keegan, GB.^[114]

Several members of the regiment played cricket for theFree Foresters Cricket Club and Pte Brian Stead played for theYorkshire County Cricket Club.^[115]

• 76th Regiment of Foot
• Category:Duke of Wellington's Regiment officers
• East and West Riding Regiment
• Yorkshire Regiment

• Becke, Maj A.F.,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56), London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007,ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
• Becke, Maj A.F.,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions, London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007,ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
• Beckett, Ian F.W.,Riflemen Form: A study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908, Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982,ISBN 0 85936 271 X.
• Boose, Donald (2014).The Ashgate Research Companion to the Korean War. Routledge.ISBN 978-1409439288.
• Ellis, Major L.F.,History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West, Vol II:The Defeat of Germany, London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004,ISBN 1-845740-59-9.
• Farndale, General Sir Martin,History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941, Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996,ISBN 1-85753-080-2.
• Forty, George,British Army Handbook 1939–1945, Stroud: Sutton, 1998,ISBN 0-7509-1403-3.
• Holmes, Professor Richard (2002).Wellington: The Iron Duke. London: Harper Collins Publishers.ISBN 978-0-00-713750-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
• Leslie, N.B.,Battle Honours of the British and Indian Armies 1695–1914, London: Leo Cooper, 1970,ISBN 0-85052-004-5.
• Litchfield, Norman E.H.,The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges), Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992,ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.
• Routledge, Brigadier N.W.,History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55, London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994,ISBN 1-85753-099-3
• Westlake, RayTracing the Rifle Volunteers, Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2010,ISBN 978-1-84884-211-3.
• Whiting, Charles (1985).Bounce the Rhine: The Greatest Airborne Operation in History. Leo Cooper/Secker & Warburg Ltd.ISBN 0-436-57400-4.

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• Regimental Association website (https://www.dwr.org.uk)
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• Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org)
• The Long, Long Trail
• The Royal Artillery 1939–45

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