Els Infantry
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Origin and History
The regiment was raised in 1690 for Gerrit Baron van Heeckeren.
On the eve of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment consisted of one battalion and belonged to the Provinces of Holland and Utrecht. In 1703, the regiment was transferred to the Province of Geldern.
Since its creation, the successive colonels of the regiment were:
- from 1690: Gerrit Baron van Heeckeren
- from 1695 to 1729: Edmond van Els (promoted to brigadier in 1702 and to major-general in 1709)
From 1709, when Edmond van Els became major-general, the regiment was under the effective command of Anthony Swaen.
In 1752, the regiment was incorporated into the regiment Oranje-Gelderland.
Service during the War
In December 1702, the regiment took up its winter-quarters in Tongeren (aka Tongres).
In 1703, the regiment took part in the defence of Tongeren. It took up its winter-quarters in Thielen.
At the end of 1705, the regiment took up its winter-quarters in Huy.
On 23 May 1706, the regiment fought in the Battle of Ramillies. In September, it took part in the siege and capture of Ath.
In 1707, the regiment campaigned in Flanders.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment took part in the Battle of Oudenarde.
In April and May 1710, the regiment was present at the Siege of Douai.
In 1712, the regiment formed part of the garrison of Marchiennes.
Uniform
Privates

Headgear |
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Neck stock | white | ||||||||||||
Coat | medium grey with red lining and with copper buttons from top to bottom on the right side
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Waistcoat | red with copper buttons from top to bottom | ||||||||||||
Breeches | medium grey | ||||||||||||
Stockings | medium grey | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet; and a sword.
NCOs
no information found yet
Officers
Officers wore a uniform similar to the one of the rank and file but of a better quality.
Musicians
no information found yet
Colours
no information found yet
References
Belaubre, Jean and Dr. de Wilde, Claus-Peter Golberg, Kaltenkirchen, 2001, pp. 18-19
N.B.: the section Service during the War is partly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
Acknowledgement
Phil Carrington for his work on the lineage of Dutch regiments