the 2nd battalion royal ulster rifles

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outstanding engagements in the history of the Regiment took place at Jhansi at the end of

March, begining of April 1858, when the fortress was stormed, a most formidable undertaking made more difficult by the untimely arrival of a force of 22,000 under the efficient command of the rebel leader Tantia Topee.For outstanding bravery in this particular assault Lt and Adjutant Hugh Stewart was awared the Victoria Cross, whilst Lt H.E Jerome Cochrane was similarly decorated for his gallantry on 3rd of April. He led the main storming party and during the engagement, assisted by Private James Byrne also awarded the VC, managed to rescue, although under heavy fire, Lt Sewell who was severly wounded. Lt Jerome was himself badly wounded in action on 28th May, on the Jumna River. Yet another soldier of the 86th, Pt J.A.S Pearson, was to receive the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the storming of the walls of Jhansi, and for later rescuing Pt M. Burns of the Regiment whilst under heavy fire although Burns later died of his wounds.

The defeat of Tantia Topee at Jhansi had not actually broken his army which was reinforced by troops of the Ranee of Jhansi.

It fell to a regiment to attack a cantonment at Morar, and during the engagement the Ranee herself, dressed as a calvary soldier was killed. Sir Hugh Rose's main force then concentrated on Gwalior and so the 86th took part in two main attacks on the city and thus the final defeat of the rebels.

In the course of the Campaign the Regiment captured as a trophy of war, a rebel drum, which became known as the Jhansi drum, said to have been taken on parade by the Regimental band on one special occasion. In 1859 the Regiment returned to England after 17years abroad and was rewarded by five years at home before leaving for Gibraltar. It was here in 1867 that new colours were presented to replace those last given in 1833 by Lord Kilmorey, one time Colonel of the Regiment. In 1867 presentation was considered important enough to warrant a half-page account and illustration in the illustrated London News of 9th March 1867. The presentation was made by Lady Airey, wife of Lt General Sir Richard Airey, Govenor of Gibraltar, who made the obligatory speech prior to the Regiment marching back to barracks to the accomaniment of the band playing the old Regimental ' The Royal County Down' and if you know the tune and wish to sing along here are the words.

Come fill your glasses to the brim,

Ye lads that love renown,

And toast until the gallant Corps

That wears the Harp and Crown,

I mean the 'Bourbon Heroes', the Royal County Down.

When George the Third of 'Bourbon' heard,

He answered with a smile,

'Egad they are a gallant band,

Those lads of Erin's Isle

Their colour shall be Royal Blue,

They'll wear the Harp and Crown

And be called the Bourbon Heroes, or the Royal County Down.

Come fling our colours to the breeze

And let them flutter free,

That 'Central India' on our banner

Proudly we may see,

For 'Gwalior Fort' and 'Jhansi' to

The bravery redounds

Of Ireland's favourite fighting sons-

The Royal County Downs.

Now fill your glasses once again,

And toast with three times three:

Here's 'Honour'-it's our password,

And we shall honoured be:

'Honour' is the password that

Has led us to 'Renown':

Here's 'Honour' to the men who added

Bourbon to the Crown

in july 1881 when it became offiicially the

the 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles and the 83rd Regiment then in Natal, duly became the 1st Battalion. For two redcoat regiments of the line to be transposed to the status of Rifles was an honour granted by Royal Favour, but the new role was to need time for adjustment with much to be learnt. Uniform of course had to change, the scarlet, blue and gold giving way to dark green facings, the blue covered helmet exchanged for one of similar design but covered with dark green cloth instead of the blue, with bronze/black fittings etc. Ten years later this helmet was exchanged for a rifle busby of black lambskin for officers, the latter with black over green feather plume, whilst the soldiers had a brush plume, again black over green. Officers had a black leather shoulder-belt with a very fine silver badge orplate mounted upon it, in the absence of regimental colours, battle honours of both former regiments were displayed on this plate, official description: In silver a shamrock wreath interwined with a scroll, bearing the honours of the Regiment. Within the wreath the Harp, above the Harp a scroll inscribed "Quis Seprabit "; below the Harp the Sphinx over Egypt; below the Sphinx a bugle with strings. Over the strings of the bugle a scroll inscribed " Royal Irish Rifles".

The whole surmounted by a Crown. " Whistle and chain of special pattern ". And on the pouch itself " In silver a bugle with strings surmounted by the "Sphinx over Egypt ". Mounted officers had to have completely new saddlery and horse furniture including bits. When khaki became day to day dress, buttons, belts, lanyards etc were all of dark colour. Bayonets from then on had to be called swords. A corps of bugles replaced the old drums and fifes but a Regimental band was still maintained.

and 216 NCOs and men taken prisoner. Drafts were immediately sent to build up the battalion which was back in action within a week. As part of a force, again under the Command of General Gatacre, and together with the 5th Fusiliers and Mounted Infantry, the Fusiliers and Rifles were once more overwhelmed by Boers under Commandant de Wet, and for a second time suffered heavy losses, mainly as prisoners of war, six officers and 382 men. General Gatacre was subsequently relieved of his command and sent home, and for a second time the battalion had to be brought up to strength, over 100 of the new men coming from the London Irish Rifles. One report of these two unfortunate episodes reads: " But the soldiers of the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles in this hour displayed a steadiness above all praise - a stubborness and endurance which proved their spendid quality, and showed them equal to any work when well lead ". From this time onwards the war situation improved, the London Irish men went home and were eventually replaced by some more volunteers from that regiment together with a fine draft of trained soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles from India. The battaalion was kept fully occupied with work throughout the guerilla war period as well as supplying men for the Mounted Infantry. The regiment returned from South Africa in January 1903 and was stationed in Dublin for three years, the remaining time before 1914 spent in numerous garrisons in England.