The 45th Regiment of Foot

Early History 

The history of The Sherwood Foresters goes back to 1741, when England was committed to War against France in Europe and later in Asia and America. In this year a new Regiment was raised and commanded by a Colonel Houghton.

By 1745 the Regiment was in Gibraltar and under the command of a Colonel Warburton, while two years later it was serving in Nova Scotia. In 1751 numerical titles were introduced and the Regiment became the 45th. The aggressive actions of the French against the English in Canada resulted in the 45th being called out on active service. It was one of the regiments that won undying fame in storming and capturing from the French the Naval Arsenal of Louisburg, a stronghold that had been heavily and extensively fortified. The 45th Regiment served for twenty years in Canada, and for its gallantry at Louisburg was later awarded the first of the long roll of battle honours that now adorn the Colours. Although not present as a unit, the 45th was represented by its grenadier company in the British force that the gallant Wolfe led up the St. Lawrence River to capture Quebec and thus seal the doom of French rule in Canada.

On returning home the Regiment served for some years in Ireland and when the American War Of Independence broke out, was among the reinforcements sent to New York in 1776. It fought at Long Island, Philadelphia, Brandywine, Germantown, and in other places, suffering losses but always exhibiting a high degree of courage and fortitude.

After the War, the 45th reduced to less than 100 all ranks, returned home to Nottingham. The citizens of Nottingham requested that the Regiment should be called "The Nottinghamshire Regiment" and His Majesty agreed, providing 300 men were recruited in the county. With volunteers from the Nottinghamshire Militia and the influence of local landowners, the stipulated number was soon obtained. Between 1786-1794 and 1795-1802, the 45th was in the West Indies almost constantly engaged in fighting the French for possession of those islands - Martinique, Dominica and Les Saints being captured. Unfortunately yellow fever took a far heavier toll of the Regiment than did the enemy.

After a brief period at home the 45th was soon on active service again. The Regiment was despatched to South America in 1807, where it took part in the attack on Buenos Aires, when every man of the small British force had to fight for his life in the street fighting that followed the capture of the town. After this action the Regiment embarked for home.

The Peninsular War

The following year the 45th Regiment became part of the Peninsular Army, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. The 45th was present at the opening battle, at Rolica in 1808, and served without a break in all Wellington's famous battles until the siege of Toulouse in 1814, winning no less than thirteen battle honours. The nickname, "The Old Stubborns", was bestowed on the regiment for its conspicuous bravery at the battle of Talavera. In that battle the French flung themselves in dense masses upon the advanced posts of the British Army, which were held by the 45th, who opposed the enemy with such firmness and courage that the enemy troops were first checked and then brought to a standstill. Retiring slowly, the 45th held up the enemy attack so completely that the entire sting was taken out of it, and the British were able to win a great victory. Wellington, describing the battle in his official report said: "Upon this occasion the steadiness and discipline of the 45th Regiment were conspicuous".

In the Battle of Busaco, the 45th Regiment again distinguished itself leading the attack on a dense column of the enemy troops, which had reached the crest of the hill. The attack, made with the bayonet, was so fierce that the enemy was driven pell-mell down the slopes, leaving some hundreds on the ground killed and wounded. "1 can assure you 1 never witnessed a more gallant charge", wrote Wellington in his despatches. In the siege of Badajoz, a detachment of the 45th succeeded in getting into the Castle first and the red coat of an officer of the 45th was hoisted in place of the French flag to indicate the fall of the Castle. This feat is commemorated on the 6th April each year when red jackets are flown on Regimental flag staffs and at Nottingham Castle.

At Vimiera, Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Vittoria, the forcing of the passes in the Pyrenees and at Nivelle, Orthes and Toulouse, the Regiment, forming part of Picton's famous 3rd Division, added to its reputation, and was recognised as being among the best of Wellington's veteran units. When the campaign ended, the 45th, worn to a shadow, returned to its native county to recruit.

Burmese War

The Regiment was serving in Ceylon in 1819, and from there went to India and took part in the first Burmese War of 1824-25. This was an arduous campaign. Dense tracks of steamy jungle had to be traversed, and a number of strongly constructed and stubbornly defended stockades stormed and destroyed. This campaign added the battle honour "Ava" to the Colours. The Regiment returned home from India in 1838.

Kaffir War

The 45th was split into a 1st and a reserve battalion in 1843 and the 1st Battalion was sent to South Africa where it played a prominent part in the defence of Natal during the Boer disturbances. The Reserve Battalion saw active service in South America in the defence of Montevideo in 1846 and also served in South Africa during the Kaffir War of 1846-47 before being reabsorbed into the 1st Battalion. Reduced to a single battalion regiment for some years and distributed between the Eastern Frontier and Natal until 1859, the 45th took part in the Kaffir War 1851 -53 and the expedition across the Orange River.

Change in Title 

The secondary title 'The Sherwood Foresters' was granted to the 45th in 1866 by Queen Victoria; the Nottinghamshire Militia having previously been granted the title of "The Royal Sherwood Foresters" in 1813.

In 1867, the 45th formed part of the British force that, under General Sir Robert Napier (afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala), fought in the Abyssinian campaign. This was one of the most remarkable exploits in the history of the British Army. Magdala, the capital, was a fortified city perched on the summit of a huge rock with almost perpendicular sides, and approachable on one side only. It was situated four hundred road less miles from the coast in the midst of a great range of mountains, over which the troops had to climb, and in some places had to haul their guns and limbers up by ropes.