1st / 50th Foot (West Kent) Queen's Own Regiment

1834 - 1841 & 1866 - 1869

Back to Start Page
The Regiments
Known as (nickname)................................................... " The Gallant Fiftieth " , " The Blind Half Hundred " , " The Dirty Half Hundred" , "The Devils Royals "
Facings............................................................................ until1832 BLACK ...then BLUE
Braided Lace.................................................................. until 1832 Silver ...then Gold
Service in Australia ....................................................... , Sydney . Norfolk Island & Tasmania .
Commanding Officer....................................Lieut. Colonels Wodehouse, Hamley, Waddy and Major Anderson

Surnames of the 1/50th Regiment soldiers who stayed
Weapons used by the 1/50th Regiment
Representation of the 50th Regiment Uniform
Ships the 50th Regiment sailed on

The nick name "Dirty Half Hundred" was awarded to the Regiment during the battle of "Salamanca" . The Regiments facings "Black", were not colour fast and when the soldiers wiped their brows the colour was implanted on their faces thus 50 being half of 100 and their faces being slightly blackened by their facings the Regiment became known as the "Dirty Half Hundred ".
This Regiment began its military term in 1751 but was know only as the 52nd Regiment of Foot
The following is a history of many name changes.
1751.....52nd Regiment of Foot
1757.....The 50th Regiment of Foot
1782.....50th (West Kent) Regiment of Foot
1827.....50th (Duke of Clarence's ) Regiment of Foot
1831.....50th ( Queen's Own ) Regiment of Foot
1881.....1st Battalion of The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
Present....Part of The Queen's Regiment
The information is intended for short Historical value only,
E- mail address
Refer to Home Page
Last revised: April 19, 2008.