52nd Foot
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Origin and History
The regiment was raised in Coventry on December 20, 1755. It was initially ranked as the "54th Regiment of Foot".
In 1757, when the original "50th" and "51st" regiments of foot were disbanded. The "54th" officially became the "52nd Regiment of Foot".
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:
- from December 20, 1755: Hedworth Lambton
- from June 7, 1758: Edward Sandford
- from November 27, 1760: John Saunders Sebright
- from April 1, 1762 to May 14, 1778: John Clavering
Service during the War
The regiment did not see active service during the Seven Years' War.
From 1758 to the end of the war, the regiment was stationed in Ireland.
As of May 30, 1759, the regiment was stationed in Ireland and counted 1 battalion for a total of 700 men.
Uniform
Privates
Headgear |
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Neckstock | white | ||||||||||||
Coat | brick red lined buff and laced white (unknown lace pattern) with 3 pewter buttons and 3 white buttonholes (same lace as above) under the lapel
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Waistcoat | brick red laced white (same lace as above) | ||||||||||||
Breeches | brick red | ||||||||||||
Gaiters | white with black buttons brown, grey or black during campaigns (black after 1759) | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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Troopers were armed with a “Brown Bess” muskets, a bayonet and a sword.
Officers
Officers of the regiment wore the same uniforms as the private soldiers but with the following differences:
- a silver gorget around the neck
- a silver aiguillette on the right shoulder
- silver lace instead of the normal white lace
- a crimson sash
Officers wore the same headgear as the private soldiers under their command. However, officers of grenadiers wore a more decorated mitre than the privates.
Officers were usually armed with a spontoon. However, in action, some carried a musket rather than the usual spontoon.
Musicians
not yet available
Colours
King's Colour: Union with its centre decorated with the regiment number "LII" in gold Roman numerals within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.
Regimental Colour: Buff field, Union in the upper left canton, centre decorated with the regiment number "LII" in gold Roman numerals within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.
References
Fortescue, J. W., A History of the British Army Vol. II, MacMillan, London, 1899
George II, The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1751
Mills, T. F., Land Forces of Britain the Empire and Commonwealth through the Way Back Machine