THE 110TH REGIMENT OF FOOT

The 110th, a line infantry regiment, was founded in 1791 with two battalions. Their depot is close to the canal in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. The Boat pub, which figures surprisingly large in the stories (particularly considering what abstemious sorts soldiers are...) is real: it’as still there and I am reliably informed it still does a very nice pub lunch, or at least it did before lockdown.

By the opening of An Unconventional Officer, the regiment was young, had little history or reputation and was commanded by Colonel Charles Dixon.

Motto: “Nil Inclinandum”

(Never Give Ground).

Nickname: The Mastiffs (earned in later Peninsular books, not yet current in India)

Service History: 1792 Flanders – First Battalion 1793 Toulon – Second Battalion 1798 Ireland – Second Battalion 1798-1799 India – First Battalion 1802-1803 – First Battalion 1803-1807 – Detachments of the First Battalion also served in Naples and Sicily. 1807 Copenhagen–first Battalion 1807 Egypt – Second Battalion. 1808 -1814 Spain – First Battalion 1809 Walcheren – Second Battalion. After the disastrous Walcheren campaign the Second Battalion returned to Melton, where it remained for the rest of the war supplying drafts to the First Battalion.

Regimental March (Quick): The Huntsman’s Cry (Slow): Bonny Mary

Anniversaries: As a young regiment, the 110th doesn’t have a regimental day. Though the 23rd September for Assaye is marked as it was the beginning of the regiments improved reputation.

Facings and lace: Gold lace, silver-grey facings.