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Regimental Anniversaries
Since The Rifles Regiment was formed through the amalgamation of four distinguished regiments, The Regiment has inherited a rich tapestry of historical anniversaries and traditions from its founding regiments. While Salamanca Day on 22 July stands as the primary Regimental Day, commemorating the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, there are several other key regimental anniversaries observed by the different battalions. These anniversaries honour significant historical battles, events, and legacies from the founding regiments.

6 January: The Battle of Wagon Hill (1900)
During the intense Siege of Ladysmith in the Boer War, the British forces faced a critical moment when the Boers launched a fierce assault on two strategic strongholds: Caesar’s Camp and Wagon Hill. As the day wore on and the battle raged with heavy losses on both sides, a pivotal decision was made. Lieutenant Colonel Park, leading the 1st Devons, rallied his three remaining companies to reinforce Colonel Hamilton at Wagon Hill, where the situation was growing desperate.
With the Boers entrenched and the odds stacked against them, the only option was a daring bayonet charge. When Colonel Hamilton asked, “Can you do it?” Lieutenant Colonel Park’s resolute reply was, “We will try.” The men of the 1st Battalion fixed their bayonets and launched a bold assault, braving relentless crossfire and a torrential storm. Their unwavering courage paid off as the Boers, unable to hold their ground, eventually retreated, securing a hard-fought victory for the Devons.
This heroic charge marked a turning point in the Siege of Ladysmith. The success of the Devon Regiment did not go unnoticed—General Buller sent a telegram praising the “brilliant defence,” while Queen Victoria herself expressed her admiration, stating, “Greatly admire conduct of Devonshire Regiment.”

21 March: The Battle of Alexandria (1801)
During the Wars of the French Revolution, Egypt became a key battleground, coveted by both the French and British for its strategic position as the gateway to the East—and a potential launchpad for an invasion of British India. Leading the British forces was General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, with the 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment serving under the Reserve Division, commanded by Major General Sir John Moore.
In a dramatic turn of events, the 28th Regiment found themselves defending a critical position along the windswept sandhills by the shoreline. Here, they faced the ferocity of Napoleon’s so-called ‘invincibles,’ who managed to launch a simultaneous attack from both the front and rear. Amidst the chaos, the commanding officer issued the decisive order: “Rear rank 28th, right about face!” The regiment’s soldiers, displaying remarkable discipline and courage, executed the manoeuvre with precision, fending off assaults from both directions.
This gallant stand not only turned the tide of the battle but also marked the first defeat of the French in thirty years. In recognition of their heroic actions, the 28th Regiment was awarded the honour of wearing the emblem of the Egyptian Sphinx as a back badge—a unique distinction that continues to be proudly displayed by The Rifles today.

22 July: The Battle of Salamanca (1812)
The Battle of Salamanca stands as a monumental chapter in the history of The Rifles, with all former regiments taking part in this decisive conflict. Often hailed by historians as Wellington’s greatest triumph, Salamanca was the pivotal moment in the Peninsula Campaign, altering the course of the war and leading to the eventual liberation of Spain from French control.
On July 22, 1812, the Duke of Wellington, commanding a force of 48,000 men, masterfully outmaneuvered the French army, led by Marshal Marmont, near the Spanish city of Salamanca. In a brilliant display of military strategy, Wellington exploited a gap in the French lines, launching a ferocious assault that shattered the enemy’s formations and resulted in a crushing defeat for Napoleon’s forces. This victory not only demonstrated the superiority of British tactics but also marked the beginning of the end for French domination in the Iberian Peninsula.
For The Rifles, the Battle of Salamanca is especially significant. The Light Division, known for its rapid movements and deadly accuracy, delivered an exceptional performance that has rarely been equaled in military history. Their achievements in the Peninsula War are a lasting tribute to Sir John Moore, the visionary leader who laid the foundation for what would become The Rifles. His legacy lives on in the valor and discipline displayed by the regiments at Salamanca—a legacy that continues to inspire and define The Rifles today.

1 August: The Battle of Minden (1759)
In early 1759, a formidable French force under Marshal Contades had marched from the Rhine, capturing Minden and threatening the Electorate of Hanover. With only 41,000 British and Hanoverian troops standing in their way, the stakes were high.
On August 1, 1759, a dramatic and unexpected turn of events unfolded. The 51st Foot (later the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) was part of a reserve column led by Hanoverian General Sporcken. As they prepared for battle, Sporcken received an order from Ferdinand of Brunswick through an Aide de Camp that “when the advance begins it is to be made with drums beating”. However, the order was misinterpreted to mean, “Advance, drums beating, with such Regiments as you have and attack anything in your front”. Without hesitation, the column began its advance, much to the shock of the commanding staff.
What followed was would etch the Minden Regiments into military history. The column, advancing alone, faced a massive French cavalry force and endured a relentless barrage from 60 French cannons, having outstripped the support of its own guns. Despite the overwhelming odds, the soldiers of the 51st Foot marched steadily forward, closing ranks as their comrades fell, determined to press on. As eleven squadrons of French cavalry charged at them, the infantry held their fire until the last possible moment—then unleashed a devastating volley followed by a bayonet charge, repelling the cavalry in a stunning display of discipline and courage.
As they advanced into battle, the soldiers picked wildflowers and wore them in their uniforms. In honour of their bravery at Minden, The Rifles continue the custom of wearing a white rose on Minden Day.

5 November: The Battle of Inkerman (1854)
During the night leading up to this battle, Russian forces – which outnumbered the allied British and French troops 5 to 1 – began assembling near the heights that the allies were defending. By the time first light arrived on 5th November, the 68th Durham Light Infantry, under the leadership of Sir George Cathcart, prepared to engage the Russians. Despite the challenging weather and the rocky terrain, the Durhams advanced forward in their grey greatcoats. When the time for battle came, they removed these coats so they could fight better and access their ammunition – but as they were the only troops to fight in their highly visible red coats, they became the primary targets for Russian artillery.
The Durhams’ charge against the Russian forces was a moment of incredible courage and determination. As they descended from the heights, the regiment sustained heavy losses, including the death of Sir George Cathcart and the severe wounding of two brigadiers. The officers were decimated, and many of the remaining men were casualties. Despite this, the non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and serjeants took command, rallying the surviving Durhams to press the attack. Their bold and unrelenting charge broke the resolve of the Russian Yakutsk Regiment, who fled the field of battle.
As a tribute to the gallantry and leadership shown by the serjeants and NCOs of the 68th Durham Light Infantry at the Battle of Inkerman, the Inkerman Chain and Whistle became a symbol of honour awarded to the Warrant Officers and Serjeants of the regiment. This tradition has been passed down through the years and is still worn by the Warrant Officers and Serjeants of The Rifles Regiment today.

11/12 November: The Story of the SS Sarah Sands (1857)
The story of the troop ship Sarah Sands is a remarkable tale of bravery and resolve. The ship was carrying a large detachment of the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot (later the Dorsetshire Regiment) along with a significant amount of gunpowder bound for the Indian Rebellion. After a troubled voyage, which included the arrest and replacement of its crew in South Africa, the Sarah Sands found itself 800 miles from land in the Indian Ocean when disaster struck—a serious fire broke out aboard the ship.
As the flames spread, panic ensued. Fearing an imminent explosion from the gunpowder on board, the crew, along with some officers, abandoned ship. It was the troops who displayed extraordinary courage and quick thinking, evacuating women and children to the lifeboats before they began working unfalteringly to throw all the gunpowder overboard and fight the flames. When the soldiers realized the regimental colours were trapped in the flames, they risked their lives to retrieve them from the burning ship. Their heroic efforts paid off as the fire was eventually subdued, and the Sarah Sands was temporarily repaired. Against all odds, the ship made it to Mauritius ten days later.
The troops’ valour did not go unnoticed. Queen Victoria herself ordered that a report of their conduct “under the most alarming and dangerous circumstances” be published as a general order and read at the head of every Regiment in Her Service, immortalizing their bravery in the annals of military history.

21/22 December: Battle of Ferozeshah (1845)
The Battle of Ferozeshah, a key engagement during the Anglo-Sikh Wars, is remembered as one of the most fiercely contested battles in British military history. The 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment, stationed in India at the time, played a pivotal role in this brutal conflict. Tasked with leading the main assault on the strongest part of the Sikh defenses, the 62nd Regiment faced intense resistance and suffered devastating losses on the first day alone—18 of the 23 officers and 281 of the 500 soldiers were either killed or wounded.
With effectively no officers left to take charge, command fell to the sergeants and non-commissioned officers, who stepped up with exceptional courage and leadership. Their actions not only held the line but also became a defining moment in the regiment’s storied history. To honour their bravery and the sacrifices made, December 21st was commemorated as a regimental anniversary, ensuring that the legacy of their valour endures.