| 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot - Arrivals and Departures 1840 - 1850 (Australia) |
| The Regiment was first raised in 1740 as the 58th Regiment of Foot, and later renumbered as the 47th, then changed in 1756 to the 58th again. From 1757 until 1782 it was known as the 58th Regiment of Foot. In 1782 it was granted the county title of Rutlandshire which it held until 1881 when it became the 2nd Battalion of the Northhamptonshire Regiment. It now forms a part of the Royal Anglian Regiment.
|
|
Nicknames: 'The Steel Backs' (from their lack of concern about floggings) and 'The Black Cuffs' (from the black facings of the 58th).
|
|
Badges: The battle honours 'Gilralter', 'Egypt', 'Vittoria' and 'Maida'.
|
|
Service in New Zealand: The main part of the Regiment arrived Auckland in April, 1845, and took part in the fighting at Okaihau, Ohaeawai, Ruapekapeka, Boulcott's Farm, Horokiri, and St. John's Wood. The 58th left New Zealand in November, 1858. Over 300 officers and men elected to settle permanently in New Zealand. The regimental colours now rest in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
|
|
Service in Australia: The regiment arrived in Sydney by detachments during 1844 and 1845. In April, 1845, the 58th began moving to New Zealand. Most of the regiment returned for a period of garrison duty in 1846.
|
|
Commanding Officers: Lieut. Colonel E. B. Wynyard, Lieut. Colonel R. H. Wynyard.
|
|
Facings: Black (Lace: Gold)
|
|
Shoulder Belt Plates: The early oblong plate bore the numerals '58' within an oval Garter which was crowned and inscribed 'Egypt', 'Vittoria' and 'Maida'. The later plates were decorated with the Roman numerals 'LVIII' within two circular scrolls inscribed with five Peninsular war battle honours and 'Gibralter'. This was surrounded by a wreath of laurels and mounted on an eight pointed star. A Sphinx inscribed 'Egypt' was at the base of the star.
|
|
Buttons: The pewter buttons worn by other ranks were decorated with the numerals '58' within a circle with a border of dots. The circle was inscribed 'Gibralter', 'Egypt' and 'Maida'. The tunic buttons issued in 1855 had two types of numeral, one large and one small.
|
Histories:
Wallace, Robert. Regimental Records of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment, now the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment.
Northampton: printed by Jos. Tebbutt, 1893.
A Short History of the "58th" Regiment, 1755 The Rutlandshire Regt., 1782 2nd Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment, 1881.
Lahore: printed by the Fifty-eighth Press, 1922.
Other Reading:
Muster books and pay lists of the 58th Regiment [microfilm].
Extract from History of the Northamptonshire Regiment 1742-1934 Russell Gurney
Diary of Major C. Bridge, Commanding 58th Regiment. 1845-1846 Major C. Bridge
Memorandum book, 1844-1850 Pte. Alexander Whisker
Discharged in New Zealand : Soldiers of the Imperial Foot Regiments who took their discharge in New Zealand 1840-1870 Hugh & Lyn Hughes
Reminiscences of the Northern War Robert Hattaway
To face the Daring Maoris Michael Barthorp
Standing orders, 58th Regiment : Colombo, Island of Ceylon, First February, 1829. Madras : Printed at the Church Mission Press, 1829.
|
For further information or if you have information regarding any person or family that sailed on any of these ships please send e-mail to Russell
Please note that although every effort is taken, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this site. Please advise broken links, corrections, etc.
|
