54th Foot

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised at Salisbury by John Campbell on December 23 1755. It initially ranked as the "56th Regiment of Foot".

On December 25 1756, when the "50th" and "51st" regiments of foot were disbanded. The "56th" officially became the "54th Regiment of Foot".

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:

• since December 23 1755: John Campbell, duke of Argyll
• April 5 1757: general John Grey
• from September 11 1760 to April 30 1770: general John Parslow

Service during the War

As soon as raised in May 1756, the regiment was sent to Gibraltar as reinforcements. It was stationed in this fortress for the entire war and was used as marines on the Mediterranean fleet.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced white and a black cockade (left side) Grenadier British mitre with: a green 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 green headband probably wearing the number 54 in the middle part behind
Neckstock	white
Coat	brick red lined green 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 green 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 green 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 green
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 white Waistbelt white 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 "LIV" in gold Roman numerals within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

Regimental Colour: Green field, Union in the upper left canton, centre decorated with the regiment number "LIV" 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