Regimental Colour, 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment

This colour is so damaged because of the incredibly brutal fighting at Albuera, during which the 57th Regiment took horrific casualties. This colour of the 57th Foot was hit by 21 shots and had its staff broken by enemy fire at the Battle of Albuera (16 May 1811) during the Peninsular War (1807-14).

An infantry regiment normally had (and still has) two colours or flags: a King’s (or Queen’s) Colour and a Regimental Colour. In battle they served as a rallying point and were the focus of regimental pride. To lose a colour to the enemy was the greatest disgrace a regiment could suffer and soldiers defended the colours with their lives.

In relation to the numbers involved, Albuera was the bloodiest battle of the Peninsular War. General William Beresford had been sent by Wellington to besiege the border town of Badajoz. When a French Army under Marshall Soult advanced to relieve the siege Beresford moved to meet him at Albuera.

A feint by Soult put the centre of Beresford’s army under a massive flanking attack which was supported by artillery and Polish lancers. A storm of shot tore into the British ranks and the 57th Foot suffered particularly severely. The commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Inglis, was hit by a shot which pierced his left breast and lodged in his back (the shot is now in the National Army Museum). He remained with the regiment’s colours and encouraged his men with the words: “Die hard, 57th, die hard.”

Elsewhere, three British battalions were overwhelmed by shot, musket fire and lancers. They lost four colours and the staffs of two others. The two young ensigns of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot, who were responsible for carrying their colours, died defending them.

A counter-attack saved the day and the French were eventually defeated but at great cost to both sides. The 57th lost 88 per cent of its officers and 75 per cent of its men either killed or wounded. From that day on the 57th were known as the ‘Die Hards’.