THE 17th REGIMENT OF FOOT

(LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT)

Their deployment – 1798-1914

By David Stevens. (October 2000)

 

 

 NOTE: The 2nd battalion was formed in 1799 for The Netherlands Campaign. It was

disbanded in 1802 and re-formed in 1858. During periods when the regiment

operated with only one battalion, it was often necessary for companies to be

detached and left in Great Britain for recruiting and training purposes. Some

companies were also detached to other overseas postings. This explains why

the regiment appears to be serving in England and Australia or England and

India at the same time.

 

 

  1. West Indies (San Domingo)

1798/99 England

  1. Netherlands (1st & 2nd battalions) Deployed: Bergen-op-Zee;

Egmont-op-Zee; Helder; Helder Landing; Krabbendam;

Oukarspel.

1800/02 Minorca (2nd battalion)

1802/03 Ireland (Dublin/Limerick – 2nd battalion – disbanded)

1801 Egypt (Alexandria – 1st battalion)

  1. India (Mandora – 1st battalion)
  1. Dutch East Indies
  1. India (Fort William)
  2. India (Calcutta)
  3. India (Bundelcund)

1806/07 India (Cawnpore)

  1. India (Fort Chumar)
  1. India (Fort Comona)

1808 India (Mutra)

1810/12 India (Meerut)

1813/14 India (Ghazipur/Gurkhawar)

  1. India (Jutgurgh)
  1. Nepal
  1. America (Plattsburg)
  2. India (Ghazipur)
  3. India (Allahabad)
  4. India (Jubalpore)
  5. India (Ghazipur)
  6. India (Fort William)
  1. India (Calcutta)
  2. Scotland (Fort William)

1821/22 India (Berhampore)

  1. India (Calcutta)
  1. England (Gravesend)
  1. England (Chatham)

 

  1. Scotland (Edinburgh)
  2. Ireland (Mullinger)
  3. Ireland (Birr)
  4. Ireland (Dublin)
  5. England (Chatham)
  1. Tasmania
  2. Australia (Parmatta)

1831/36 Australia (New South Wales)

  1. Australia (Van Dieman’s Land)

1833 Indonesia (Bongabong)

1833 England (Windsor)

1833 England (Wellingborough)

  1. Australia (Sydney)
  1. India (Bombay)
  2. India (Poona)
  3. India (Tatta - North West Frontier)
  4. Afghanistan (Ghazni) ) 1st Afghan

1839 Afghanistan (Khelat) ) War

  1. India (Scinde)
  2. /42 India (Ahmednuggar)

1842/44 India (Poona)

  1. India (Bombay)
  1. India (Karachi - North West Frontier)
  1. England (London)
  1. England (Gravesend)
  2. England (Dover)
  3. /50 England (Chatham)

1851/52 Ireland (Galway)

  1. Ireland (Kingstown)

1853/54 Ireland (Dublin)

1855/56 Crimea (Crimean War - Kertch; quarries assualt;

1st & 2nd redan attacks; Sevastopol)

1857/58 Canada (Quebec)

  1. 2nd battalion reformed – England
  2. Canada (Montreal) – 1st battalion
  3. England (Plymouth) 2nd battalion
  1. England (Aldershot) 1st battalion

1860 Canada (Quebec) 2nd battalion

  1. England (Shornecliffe) 1st battalion
  2. Canada (Malone Hills) 2nd battalion

1863/65 Canada (Halifax) 2nd battalion

  1. England (Devonport) 1st battalion
  2. Ireland (Kilkenny) 1st battalion

1869/70 Ireland (Dublin/Newry) 1st battalion

  1. C.I. (Jersey) 1st battalion

1870/72 England (Aldershot) 2nd battalion

1871/73 India (Lucknow) 1st battalion

  1. England (Plymouth) 2nd battalion
  2. England (Devonport 2nd battalion
  3. Ireland (Athlone) 2nd battalion
  4. Ireland (Curragh Camp) 2nd battalion
  1. India (Peshawar) 2nd battalion

1877 India (Mhow) 2nd battalion

1878 India (Kaldana) 2nd battalion

1878 Afghanistan (Ali Masjid) 1st battalion )

  1. Afghanistan (Dakka) 1st battalion )
  1. Afghanistan (Fatehabad) 1st battalion ) 2nd Afghan
  1. Afghanistan (Futtenabad) 1st battalion ) War
  1. Afghanistan (Jellalabad) 1st battalion )
  1. Afghanistan (Khyber Pass) 1st battalion )
  1. India (Bombay) 1st battalion
  1. England (Norwich) 1st battalion
  2. England (Leicester) 1st battalion
  1. India (Nowshera) 2nd battalion

1880/81 India (Nasurabad) 2nd battalion

  1. India (Jhansi) 2nd battalion
  2. England (Southsea) 1st battalion
  1. Burma 2nd battalion
  1. Bermuda 1st battalion
  2. Aden 2nd battalion
  3. England 2nd battalion
  4. Canada (Nova Scotia) 1st battalion
  5. West Indies 1st battalion
  1. South Africa 1st battalion
  2. Ireland 2nd battalion

1899/1902 South Africa (Anglo-Boer War)

  1. Defence of Ladysmith 1st battalion
  2. Egypt 2nd battalion
  1. South Africa (Anglo-Boer War) 1st battalion

Cape Town; Bloemfontein; Lydenberg; Nooitgedacht;

Johannesberg; Mafeking; Middleberg.

  1. Blesbokspruit; Blinkwater; Witbank; Modderfontein;

Middlefontein; Pretoria; Burghersdorp; Elandsfontein;

Boschman’s Kop; Boschman’s Pan; Naboomspruit;

Kruger’s Post; Machadodorp; Germiston; Kasteel;

Grootvlei; Klip Nek; Carolina; Kroonstadt; Honing’s Kloof.

  1. Aliwal North

1902 India 1st battalion

  1. Channel Islands 2nd battalion

1904 England 2nd battalion

  1. England 1st battalion
  1. India 2nd battalion

1912/14 Ireland 1st battalion

 

 

 

 

 

Deployment of the 1st and 2nd battalions at the outbreak of war – August 1914:

 

1914:

 

1st Battalion:

 

August:

Fermoy, Ireland. Part of 16th Brigade, 6th Division. To Queenstown. (15th) embarked SS Heroic, Londonderry and Kilkenny sailed for Holyhead. Moved by train to Cambridge and camp at Coldham Common. To Grantchester Common (27th)

 

September:

To Royston (7th) and by train to Southampton. Embarked SS Braemar Castle (8th) and sailed for France. Lt. Col. H.L. Crocker (Commanding Officer). Arrived St. Nazaire (10th) and to camp at Grande Marais. By train to Mortcerf (11th). Began move forward to the Aisne (13th), marching via Crecy, Jouarres, Sancy, Chateau Thierry, Rocourt, Buzancy, Ambrief and Mont Notre dame. Arrived Courcelles (20th). Relieved 3rd Worcestershire and 2nd Royal Irish Rifles in front line trenches near Vailly (21st).

 

October:

Relieved by French troops during night (12th/13th) and entrained at Fismes for Cassel. Casualties since going into the line – Captain Hawes mortally wounded, 5 other ranks killed, 18 wounded. Later to Croix Blanche and moved forward to Bois Grenier (18th). Took up positions on line Rue de Bois-La Houssoie (20th) then in afternoon moved to Porte Egale area. Relieved 1st West Yorkshire in trenches, the chemical factory – Rue de Bois (21st). At this time a report from the CO of the 1st battalion stated that hostile shelling had compelled the battalion to evacuate the line just south of the Rue de Bois to Le Quesne and that his men were lying in the open along the railway line. The enemy were forming up in considerable strength for an attack around the Le Quesne

Distillery. Enemy attacked at dawn (26th). The Leicester’s line was intact from Rue de Bois to the barricade at the level crossing south of the railway station. Here, close hand to hand fighting took place throughout the day. Later the Leicester’s withdrew and located as follows: Headquarters, C & D companies at Grise Pot, A & B companies Le Touquet. Casualties: Captain Gruchy, Lieutenants Prain and Dods killed, Lieutenant Smeathman mortally wounded, 47 other ranks killed, 5 officers, 134 other ranks wounded, 106 missing. Relieved by 1st East Yorkshires and moved to Bois Grenier.

 

November:

 

For remainder of year carried out tours in front line – Porte Egale Farm, Rue de Petillon-Rouges Bancs, Le Touquet-Grande Flamengre Farm, Rue de Bois-Grande Flamanderie Farm. Billets and rest areas – Rue Dunquesne, Bac St. Maur, Fleurbaix and Grise Pot. The battalion relieved 1st Royal Fusiliers (13th) in Rue de Petillon area.

 

 

 

December:

 

Inspected by HM The King at Bau St. Maur (2nd). Captain P.E. Viney mortally wounded (14th). Sergeant E.B. Hayball, DCM, served with C company and recalls that trenches in the Armentieres-Bois Grenier sector were taken over a few days before Christmas. The trenches held by C company were knee deep in water. Casualties for November and December – 24 killed, 26 wounded.

 

2nd Battalion:

 

August:

 

At Ranikhet, India. C company at Delhi, part of Garhwal Brigade, Meerut Division. Order to mobilise received (9th) and C company recalled. Began march to Kathgodam (12th). Moved via Ratighat, Bhowali and Jeolikote. Arrived (15th) and entrained for Bareilly.

 

September:

 

Moved by train to Karachi (5th). Arrived (8th) and to rest camp. Headquarters, C & D companies embarked SS Devanah (15th), A & B companies SS Elephanta (16th). Sailed (21st). Commanding Officer Lt.Col. Blackader.

 

October:

 

Arrived Suez (2nd), Port Said (3rd). Sailed for France (6th), disembarking Marseilles (12th) and marching to camp at La Valentine. Moved by train to Orleans (21st), Lillers (26th). To Calonne (28th). Moved forward via Gorre and relieved 3rd Worcestershire in firing line near Festubert (30th). Captain Tristram killed (31st).

 

November:

 

B & C companies relieved by 1st Seaforth Highlanders during night (17th). Second lieutenant Wateridge killed (20th). A & D companies relieved by 1st Manchesters (22nd) and joined rest of battalion at La Couture. Casualties since entering the trenches: 2 officers killed, 2 wounded, 14 other ranks killed, 73 wounded. To Gorre (23rd). Conditions: The ground was covered with snow, trenches were ice-bound and a piercing wind was sweeping across the flats around Festubert. The Leicesters were on the right during the attack and had the shortest distance to go. Leading waves were soon met by a hail of bombs, rifle and machine gun fire. About a platoon of the Leicesters and ten men of the 107th reached and occupied part of the objective. The combat report stated: "The Leicesters effected a lodgement in the enemy’s trenches, butwere hard pressed to retain it owing to heavy bombing…Captain Grant killed whilst leading his company in the charge. Second lieutenant Seton-Browne was also killed at the head of his platoon just as he had reached the enemy’s trench."

B & C companies withdrew at 8.30am (25th) and returned to Gorre. Battalion moved back to billets at La Couture same day. To front line east of Festubert (28th). Relieved during evening (30th) and to La Couture.

 

 

December:

 

A company inspected by HM The King at Locon (1st). A company was brought up to strength by 100 men transferred from D company. The battalion carried out further tours in Festubert sector front line. Took over trenches in front of Ruse des Berceaux from 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles (17th) but relief cancelled and battalion withdrew to prepare for forthcoming attack. Took part in attack near The Orchard north-east of Festubert 3.15am (19th). Several trenches and two Maxim guns taken. Enemy later counter-attacked with bombs and forced withdrawal to start positions. Moved back to Richebourg St. Vaast. Leter rested at Lestrem and Robecq and by the end of the year billeted at Ecquedecques.

 

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