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

Uniform in 1757 - Copyright Kronoskaf

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced white and a black cockade (left side) Grenadier British mitre with: a buff front embroidered with the King's cypher with a crown over it; a small red front flap with the white horse of Hanover surmounted by the motto "Nec aspera terrent"; red back; a buff headband probably wearing the number 52 in the middle part behind
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 Collar none Shoulder Straps brick red (left shoulder only) Lapels buff laced white (same lace as above) with 7 pewter buttons and 6 white buttonholes (same lace as above) Pockets horizontal pockets laced white (same lace as above) Cuffs buff slashed cuffs laced white (same lace as above) with 4 pewter buttons and 4 white buttonholes (same lace as above) on the sleeve above each the cuff Turnbacks buff
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	Crossbelt buff Waistbelt buff Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard black Scabbard black Footgear black shoes

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.

King's Colour - Copyright: Kronoskaf

Regimental Colour - Copyright: Kronoskaf

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