The Royal Munster Fusiliers are composed of
the late 101st (which had a predecessor from 1806 to 1817 in the
"Duke of York's Regiment") and the 104th Regiments, formerly the
Royal Bengal Fusiliers and the Bengal Fusiliers. The reputations of
both are mainly Indian therefore, their official record commencing with
Plassey and terminating with Lucknow. The 1st battalion dates from
1756, when it was formed by Clive, and named the "Bengal European
Regiment", and it saw much hard fighting from 1756 - 59 (at Forts Baj
Raj, William, and Hooghly, at Chelpore, Chandernagore, Kutwah, Plassey,
Condore, Narsurpore, Masulipatam - one of the most brilliant episodes in
the history of our Eastern campaigns - Pala, etc); and from that year to
1838, when it was present at Afghanistan at Ghuznee, Pushoot, etc,
Ferozeshah, and Sobraon (where it lost twelve officers and 185 men),
shared in the Burmese War of 1852 - 1853, and assisted in the fighting
around Pegu.
It, like other regiments, has varied its
name from time to time. In 1840 it was the 1st Bengal European Light
Infantry, in 1846 it was the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers. On the
amalgamation of the Indian and home armies it was decided to retain the
three oldest European regiments of the former Bengal Army, and the
regiment became the old 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers),
and in 1881 it was amalgamated with the 104th (Bengal) Fusiliers to take
its present title. During the Mutiny it saw much hard service in
1857 - 58 at Budlee-Ke-Serai, Delhi, Nuzzufghur, Narnoul, Gungeree,
Putialee, Lucknow, and Oude, and again in 1862 at the Crag Piquet and the
Conical Hill, and Umbeyleh. It has therefore gained for the
battle-roll the names of "Plassey", Buxar", "Carnatic",
"Sholinghur", "Guzerat", "Deig", "Bhurtpore",
"Afghanistan", "Ghuznee", "Ferozeshuhur",
"Sobraon", "Punjaub", "Pegu", and "Lucknow".
Among the most distinguished of its
officers may well be ranked Hodson, afterwards of "Hodson's
Horse", whose readiness and courage, displayed on many occasions
during the Mutiny, were nowhere better evidenced than when he executed
righteous judgement on the sons of the King of Delhi.
he 2nd battalion, originally the 2nd Bengal
Fusiliers, in 1861 became the 104th (Bengal) Fusiliers, and the 2nd
battalion of the "Royal Munster Fusiliers" in 1881. It was
raised in 1839, and first saw active service in 1843 against Begah Khan,
and in 1848 formed part of the Army of the Punjaub, was in sight of
Thackwell's battle of Sadoolapore, but could not effect the passage of the
Chenab, but joined Sir Hugh Gough, and shared in the glory of
Chillianwallah as well as that of Goojerat. It took part in
suppressing disturbances in Burmah in 1853, and saw some arduous work in
the Mutiny at Delhi and elsewhere. When in General Shower's Brigade
in 1857, it assisted at the capture of the rebel Chiefs, the "Nawab
of Jugge and the Rajah of Bullunghur". Present in Burmah during
the operations from 1885 to 1887, it adds that name, as well as "Chillianwallah",
"Goojerat", and "Delhi" to the colours.
The scarlet uniform with blue facings has a
grenade bearing the Royal Tiger on the button and collar; the head dress
plate bears the same emblem, a laurel wreath entwined with the regimental
victories and the arms of Munster (azure three crowns d'or). In 1867
the officers "were permitted to wear a scarlet band" round their
caps. The shamrock is also an authorised badge of the
regiment. The South Cork (Kinsale), the Kerry (Tralee), and the
Royal Limerick County Militias constitute the second line of the Royal
Munsters. The 1st battalion (the 101st) had the name of "the
Dirty Shirts", from having fought in their shirt sleeves in the
fighting round Delhi. The depot is at Tralee.
