1st / 28th Foot (The North Gloucestershire Regiment)
1835 - 1842
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Known as (nickname)................................................... " The Old Braggs ,"," The Slashers ", "The Fore and Afts"
Facings............................................................................ YELLOW
Braided Lace.................................................................. Gold
Service in Australia ....................................................... Arrived during 1835 leaving for India in 1842 . HQ at Sydney, with detachments at Parramatta, Hassan's Wells, Illawarra, Tonrang, Newcastle, Moreton Bay and Port Phillip Melbourne
Commanding Officer......................................................Lieut. Colonel C. French.
This Regiment began its military term in 1694 and was known only as Sir John Gibson's Regiment of Foot.
The following is a history of many name changes.
1694.....Sir John Gibson's Regiment of Foot.
1695.....Know by the Commanding Officer's name
1751.....28th Regiment of Foot
1782.....28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot
1881.....Linked to the 61st Regiment forming 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Gloucestershire Regiment
A vast amount of assistance in compiling this Information was given by
Ron Ball
it is with much thanks we add the information he supplied and typed.
The 28th Rgt is responsible for the birth of the Australian Jockey Club. Newspaper 2 Feb 1842. At a meeting of the Australian Race Committee held on Wed. 5th Jan 1842 Present:- Captain Hunter, Captain O'Connell, Capt Sawbridge, Messrs Pryce (of the 28th) Gibbes, Kater and Chambre. the accounts were produced by the Secretary and passed. Proposed by Capt O'Connell seconded Capt Sawbrigde 1st That, in consequence of the liberal support afforded by the public to the former meetings at Homebush, the Australian race Committee as now constituted, do resolve itself into a club, to be called "The Australian Jockey Club" Proposed by Capt Hunter seconded Mr Kater 2nd That His Excellency the Governor be invited to become Patron and His Excellency Sir M.O'Connell, Vice Patron of the Club Proposed by Mr Scott, seconded by Capt. O'Connell 3rd That the said Club shall consist of twenty members at least, with power to add to their numbers by ballot, and that the Annual Subscription be Ten Pounds which will entitle them to run horse at each meeting Unquote. Under "Present" there was no mention of Mr Scott but he must have materialised from somewhere !!!
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE 28TH RGT ON THEIR DEPARTURE FROM SYDNEY 14 JUNE 1842
To the 28th Rgt on their departure to India spoken at the Royal Victoria Theatre Sydney on the evening of the 14th June 1842 To-night Nock Cataland re-appears To greet his friends - an office that endears For humble though has been the author's task Tis welcomed; and what more can author ask ? A kindly welcome, from indulgent friends, Is rich reward, to all intents and ends. Thus far "Nock Cataland" makes his bow : Another object has it's author now : To bid farewell ! unto a martial band, About to leave us for Ind's distant land ; To add fresh laurels to their old renown, And guard the honour of the British Crown; Make the fierce, false Afghans, in far Kabul, Grow meek to Paddy, Sawney and John Bull. They, with their steel array will heal the sore Inflicted, but too deep, by Forty-Four Bold Sale, who keeps in awe the murderous hashers Will hail, with warrior's warmth, the gallant "Slashers" Their chief will prove again their valour true, Remembering "Albuera" - Waterloo !! The gallant "Slashers" quit Australia's shore, And we may ne'er behold their phalanx more; Yet in our memory will they linger long, A beau ideal of martial throng; And many a gentle bosom, void of guile, Will feel a pang - sweet lips will sadden'd smile, Brave "28" who danger ne'er did shun, Farewell ! success we wish you everyone.
Military records of the Regiment , Pay rolls, Pay Musters, Cemetery Records, Church Records & General
Muster Records. References :
Records of the 28th ,Mitchell Library, Sydney, Australia.
Wellington's Military Machine (Philip J. Haythornthaite) published 1995
