Name : Guise's Regiment of Foot Started : 1688 Ended : 1689 Subsequent Regiment Lineage : ---------------------------------------- Foulkes' Regiment of Foot (1689 - 1693) Lillingston's Regiment of Foot (1693 - 1708) Jones' Regiment of Foot (1708 - 1711) Alexander's Regiment of Foot (1711 - 1717) Lucas's Regiment of Foot (1717 - 1729) Jones' Regiment of Foot (1729 - 1735) Murray's Regiment of Foot (1735 - 1738) Duke of Marlborough's Regiment of Foot (1738 - 1739) Dalzell's Regiment of Foot (1739 - 1750) Philipps' Regiment of Foot (1750 - 1751) 38th Regiment of Foot (1751 - 1782) 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot (1782 - 1881) South Staffordshire Regiment (1881 - 1959) Staffordshire Regiment (1959 - 2007) Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords) (2007 - Present)
----------------------------------------
The 38th Regiment dates from 1702, when it was raised in Ireland, and for many years known as Colonel Luke Lillingstone's Regiment of Foot. Five years after its formation the regiment went to the West Indies and served there "an unprecedented period of, it is said, nearly sixty years, during which detachments of the corps served at the capture of Guadaloupe in 1759, and of Martinique in 1762." (Archer.) On their return home the 38th-as they were numbered in 1751-served in the American War, after which the flank companies were employed at Martinique in 1794, and subsequently at St. Lucia. The regiment as a whole, after taking part in the campaign in Holland, served under Sir D. Baird at the Cape of Good Hope in 1805, and the following years at Buenos Ayres. At Monte Video in 1807, under Colonel Vassal, they formed part of the assaulting party, and greatly distinguished themselves, Colonel Vassal being mortally wounded.
The 38th then took part in the Peneinsular War, fighting at Roleia and Vimiera, sharing in Moore's splendid victory at Corunna, and gaining for their colours the eloquent legend of "Busaco." At Badajoz, when a temporary discomfiture caused Walker's brigade to fall back, the pursuing French found themselves checked by "two hundred men of the 38th, who had been kept well in hand by Colonel Nugent," and who, after a fierce volley, charged with the bayonet. They fought at Salamanca and Burgos under Graham, the conquered at Vittoria, they shared in the ghastly victory at San Sebastian, forced the passage of the Bidassoa, and fought in the conquering ranks at the Nive. They were not at Waterloo, but joined the army of occupation after it was won. In 1818 they served in South America, and in 1822 repaired to India and were engaged in the first Burmese War, gaining the distinction of "Ava" for their colours.
Returning to England in 1836, the following fifteen years were spent in various places, including Central America. In the Crimea the 38th were in Sir Richard England's (Third) Division, and-for we must needs leave much untold-bear "Alma," "Inkerman," and "Sevastopol" on their heavily emblazoned colours. From the Crimea they were ordered to India, where they arrived in November 1857, and after fighting valiantly at Lucknow, took part in the subsequent campaign in Oude. They returned to England in 1872, and enjoyed a peaceful interval between that date and 1882, when they were ordered to Egypt.
