Merry Christmas

The King and Royal Family of The Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales wishes all and sundry a Very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

4th Regiment Of Foot "Grand Duke Michael's Regiment"

The next regiment we look at is 4th Regiment Of Foot "Grand Duke Michael's Regiment":
NAME: 4th Regiment Of Foot "Grand Duke Michael's Regiment"
Date Raised: 1 September 1701
MOTTO: "Faugh a Ballagh" (Irish: "Clear The Way")
Unofficial Motto: "Don't Run; You'll Just Die Tired".
Nicknames:"Old King Mick's Men", "Friends of the 3rd" and "Punchies"
Battle Honours: "The Hostile Wars", "Port Philip 1728", "Cadbury Hill 1733", "Relief of Fort Clairmont", "Launceston 1734", "Van Demon's Land Campaign" and "Vinegar Hill1738".
Brief History: Most recruits for the 4th came from the Irish and Welsh colonists. It was the Grenadiers of the 4th that provided the "Escort" for Michael Clements when he strode into Parliament on 1 April 1725 and declared "In the name of God Almighty, the Army and the People of the Mormoan Republic, I here and now dissolve this Parliament, and claim the position of 1st Consul of a new Peoples Directorate"!
Only a handful of the Old Parliamentarians resisted, but these were quickly subdued by the Grenadiers of the 4th. The Coup is often referred to as "The Grenadier's Revolution".
The 4th played a major role in the relief of Fort Clairmont, for it was them that routed the "Guard Francis". The Colonel of the Regiment at the time was Trevor Clements, (Michael's nephew), and son of the Grand Duke Colin. Col Clements was invited by the Colonel of the Guard Francis to "Have first fire". The Colonel of the 4th replied, "No mon amis, you are our guests, we insists that you fire first". The Guard Francis' volley inflicted few casualties. The 4th then advanced another 50 paces, and as they prepared to fire Colonel Trevor Clements called out to the Guard Francis, "Please don't run, you'll only die tired"! He then gave the order to fire. The 4th's volley was devastating, dropping every fourth Guardsman in the French regiment! Crying "Faugh a Ballagh" or "Clear The Way", the 4th then charged and routed their enemies.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions:
The RSM of the 4th (Sergeant Major Russell Crows) introduced boxing, (Michael Clements' favorite sport) as part of the Regiment's training program. Consequently they have the nickname "Punchies". The Regiment has a fearsome reputation as "Brawlers" throughout the army, and are rarely garrisoned with other regiments other than the 3rd, whom they have had a close affinity with ever since the relief of Fort Clairmont, (for obvious reasons).
Unlike other regiments, the 4th Regiment of Foot is never used for guard duty at the King's Parliament.

What's Next?

I'll take a quick break from posting Regimental histories and uniforms to give a "heads up" on future plans. I'll need to produce some flags for my Regiments shortly. Each Regiment will have a King's Colour and a Regimental Colour. At present I'm looking at variations on the Prussian model, but time will tell. I've started mustering the troops. The bulk will either the fantastic EUREKA MINIATURES "Age Of Reason" range or OLD GLORY 25's from their "American War Of Independence" (AWI) or "French And Indian Wars" (FIW) ranges. I've also ordered some of the very nice PERRY MINIATURES AWI figures. I hope to have them all on the painting bench before the New Year.
I'll also add a few extra links.

3rd Regiment Of Foot "The Queen Mother's Regiment"

One of the "Elite" Regiments of the Royal army, the 3rd Regiment of Foot;“The Queen Mother's Regiment" is the topic of today's installment. Picture left is a Grenadier's (L) and a Musketeer's (R) uniform
NAME: 3rd Regiment Of Foot "The Queen Mother's Regiment"
Date Raised: 1 September 1701
MOTTO: "In Arduis Fidelis" (Faithful in adversity /hardships)
Unofficial Motto: None.
Nicknames:"Old Faithful"
Battle Honours: "Beaver Ridge", "The Hostile Wars" , "Port Philip 1728", "Cadbury Hill 1733", "Fort Clairmont", "Van Demon's Land Campaign" and "Vinegar Hill1738" .
Brief History: One of the first regiments to be raised by the Mormoan's, the bulk of the Regiment's recruits came from English and Welsh colonists, (many of who were miners). The Regiment was held in reserve at Beaver Ridge, and saw action for the first time during the "Hostile Wars". Fame came during the Van Demon's Land campaign in 1735, when as the Garrison at Fort Clairmont they held out for 35 days against an enemy consisting of 2000 hostile natives and a two battalions of the "French Pacific Island Company" (FPIC). The Regiment being relieved by a flying column under the command of Grand Duke Colin. The Regiment had sustained almost 50% casualties before the relief column arrived.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions:
Only 6 months prior to the Regiment taking up their duty as garrison at Fort Claimont the Regiment was presented with a new King's Colour (see note below), by Queen Janet.
When called upon to surrender by Colonel Paul De Grasser, (the commander of the FPIC Brigade), ensign O'Driscoll, the bearer of the King's Colour replied, "If you want my Queen's Colour, came and get it ye B#@*ARDS"!
Now, to this day the Regiment's "King's Colour" is called "The Queen's Colour", regardless if the Monarch is a King or Queen.
Queen Janet took the title "Queen Mother" on 13 November 1745, upon the assent to the throne, of her son Phillip. Consequently the Regiment took the name "Queen Mother's Regiment" on that date. Prior to that they had been known as "The Queen's Regiment" (in fact, since 1736).
NOTE: All Royal Mormoan Regiments have a "King's" and "Regimental" Colour. Young Ensign O'Driscoll in his excitement had mistakenly referred to the King's colour as "My Queen's Colour", (probably because the Queen had presented it on behalf of the King). Ensign O'Driscoll, (though wounded quite badly), survived the siege and later went on to become Colonel of The Regiment.

MORMOAN CAVALRY: 1st Regiment; The Royal Dragoons

In this installment, we will look at the 1st Regiment; The Royal Dragoons“Princess Amanda’s Dragoons”
NAME: 1st Regiment,The Royal Dragoons, "Princess Amanda’s Dragoons”
Date Raised: 1 September 1701
MOTTO: "Culpam poena permit comes " (Punishment Follows Swiftly Your Crime)
Unofficial Motto: "We Shall Punish"
Nicknames:"The FONOs" (Friends Of No One), "Mighty Oaks"
Battle Honours: "Beaver Ridge", "The Hostile Wars" and "Port Philip 1728".
Brief History:
The first cavalry regiment to be raised by the Mormoans, the recruits were drawn initially from the Colony's Constabulary. As a result they proved to be singularly unpopular amongst the other Regiments and units of the Army, (Only ADMA proving to be more unpopular). First saw action at Beaver Ridge, where they inflicted heavy casualties on the French Colonists.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions: The Regiment's Honorary Colonel is Princess Amanda, the King's eldest daughter. The Princess, (who is also patron of the Kingdom's Police Force) adopted the Regiment as her own after they provided the escort for her first tour of the Kingdom as Princess in 1746, aged 16.
During the Battle of Beaver Ridge the General Officer Commanding the Army, General (later to be King Michael), Clements ordered the Regiment forward, saying to the Regiment's Colonel, "Are these trespassers to be held to no account? Have at them 1st Regiment"! The Regiment charged forward crying "Punish them"!
After the battle the Regiment camped near a large oak tree. To this day on the anniversary of the Battle Of Beaver Ridge the Regiment places oak leaves in their hats.
NOTE: The oak tree in question was quite significant, as oak trees are not native to New Wales. The Regiment gathered around the tree on the insistence of the Regimental Padre after the battle to pray and thank God for their victory. After the service the Regiment basically collapsed their from exhaustion and slept.

7th Regiment Of Foot "Von Manstien's"

The next Regiment we look at is the 7th Regiment Of Foot, "Von Manstien's"

NAME: 7th Regiment Of Foot "Von Manstien's"
Date Raised: 1 September 1701
MOTTO: "FORWARD "
Unofficial Motto: "Cold Steel Will Triumph"
Nicknames: "Drill Pigs", "The Sour Kruats", "Unlucky 7th"
Battle Honours: "Beaver Ridge", "The Hostile Wars" "Port Philip 1728", "Cadbury Hill 1733"
Brief History:When it was decided that the formation of a standing army was required, it fell to an ex-Prussian Major by the name of Franz Josef Von Manstien to organize, train and raise the the units. He started by raising one unit, and from that he would produce the cadre that would train all other units. He recruited as many ex military men as he could find in the colony. Most were Prussians, Saxons, Hessians and Hanovarians. Many had been Drill Sergeant's in the German armies. Once the Army was formed the cadre returned to their parent unit. Initially they were numbered the 1st Foot Regiment, but when the "Royal" army was formed in 1729, they were renumbered the 7th. Von Manstien became the King's Inspector General of the Royal Army on 6 Dec 1728. He adopted the Regiment (with the King's blessing and insistence) on the 7th of December that same year. The 7th is one of only a few regiments that have Grenadiers, Musketeers, and Fusiliers.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions:
At the Battle of Port Phillip in 1725, the Regiment arrived on the left flank of the Franco-Spanish as they threaten to break the Mormoan line. Firing one ineffective volley the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Robert Zillmann, grasped the Regimental Colour. Crying "Come lads, cold steal will triumph where hot lead failed"! he lead the Regiment in a charge that sent the French "Dillon" Regiment fleeing.
Ever since, in this Regiment the RSM, (not an Ensign) carries the Regimental Colour. This is unique to the 7th.
The Regiment earned the nickname "Unlucky 7th" when at the battle of Cadbury Hill in 1733, they suffered the heaviest casualties of all units engaged. They were accidentally fired upon by Bree's Battery whilst attempting to flank a mercenary Battalion from New Southland; their Grey uniforms looking not to dissimilar to those of the South Lander's.
Every year, on the anniversary of the Battle of Cadbury hill they have dinner with the Officers and Gunners of Bree's Battery in full battle dress, (including weapons).
This is the only time weapons are allowed in both units messes. The Gunner's leave their weapons in barracks.
Grenadiers Uniform, 7th Foot
Fusilier's Uniform, 7th Foot

Adfaburg Duntroon Military Academy

The next unit we will look at is the Adfaburg Duntroon Military Academy.

NAME: Adfaburg Duntroon Military Academy, (ADMA)
Date Raised: 13 Jan 1709
MOTTO: "Knowledge Dispels Fear "
Unofficial Motto: "We know Better"
Nicknames: "The Silver Tails", "The Little Caesars" "Treasure's Assasins"
Battle Honours: "Defence Of Adfaburg, 1715", "The Hostile Wars"
Brief History:
Soon after the arrival of the Mormoans in New Wales, they realized that the defence of the colony could not be left in the hands of the Militia. A Parliamentary decree called for the establishment of "A school where the a comprehensive education inclusive of the military Art and associated sciences could be taught". The officer candidates, (called "Staff Cadets" or simply "Cadets" if in their first year) were to be between the ages of 15 and 21 upon entry into the Academy. Prerequisites for entry were "Candidates for the Academy Duntroon must be fit, good horsemen, and of exceptional character".
The Staff Cadets formed four Classes. The senior or 1st Class Staff Cadets formed what was known as "Legion HQ" or "Corp HQ" and held command appointments over the remainder of the "Corp Of Staff Cadets". 2nd Class formed "The Wallaby Troop", (a small half battery of 6 Pounders) and a Light Dragoon Squadron called "McKenzies Squadron". 3rd Class Staff Cadets formed the Light Infantry, and the "Fourthies" formed the Company of Foot, and were called "Cadets". The First Commandant of ADMA was a particularly brutal fellow by the name of LtCol Douglas Treasure. When ADMA was "called out" to defend Adfaburg in 1715 from an attack from a combined force consisting of a mercenary New Southland Battalion in French pay and hostile natives of the Jindabyn tribe, it is said LtCol Treasure was shot in the back by his own Staff Cadets. The fact he was shot as he address the Corp Of Staff Cadets on the Academy parade ground prior to marching out to confront the enemy seems to have gone un-noticed. By all accounts no-one seemed to care.
Academy anecdotes and traditions:
Whenever the Corps Of Staff Cadets (often refered to as "The Legion"), is call out to campaign, they must remove the flints from their firearms prior to the Commandant's address. Flints are only returned after they depart the Academy grounds.
On the 13th of January every year the Corp Of Staff Cadets have a new intake. On that day the Staff Cadets of Legion HQ take the newly arrived "Fourthies" on a brutal forced march. This is called "Fouthies Day". Any Staff Cadet that falls out, (either 1st class or 4th class), is immediatly dismissed from the Academy. Approximately 10% of the 4th class fall out and are sent home. A 1st Class cadet has never failed the march.
Every year on 25 April all the Staff Cadets gather at LtCol Douglas Treasure's grave on Mount Unpleasant and toast the "Academy Duntroon and the Corp Of Staff Cadets"! (and get rolling drunk). It's the only day of the year where the Staff Cadets may drink. "Fourthies" are not permitted to attend.
NOTE: Female Officer Cadets (for The King's Maiden Guard), are trained by selected 1st Class Staff Cadets and Lecturers at the "Point Cooke Lady's Officer Academy". Lessons include, (to name but a few), Bayonet Fighting, the Principles of Artillery Fire, Military History and Needle Craft.