12th REGIMENT (SUFFOLK REGIMENT).

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13922, 29 March 1909, Page 7

12th REGIMENT (SUFFOLK REGIMENT).

This regiment bears as badges the castle and key in a laurel wreath with a crown above and "Gibraltar" below on cap and collar. The motto is, "Montis Insignia Calpe." (The badges cf Mount Calpe Gibraltar). On the colours when serving in New Zealand were the honours of "Dettingen," "Mindeen," "Gibraltar," "SermgapatanV' "India," and "South Africa." The uniform was scarlet with facings of white. This is one of the oldest and most efficient regiments in the British Army and has had y a wide and varied service within and without the Empire, serving with distinction in Germany, Spain, India, Afghanistan, East and West Indies, South Africa, and Australasia. It was formed in 1661 and fought under Schomberg at the battle of Boyne and is one of th<^ six British regiments that bear the honour of Minden on their colours. In the year 1758 the second battalion of the 12th was formed in the 65th regiment so well known in this part of New Zealand. They were part of the garrison all through the celebrated and prolonged seige of Gibraltar, and from that time right down to the present day have served their Sovereign with honour and distinction in all parts of the Empire. Fifty-five men of the 12th went down on the Birkenhead, February 25, 185 L. The heroic bearing of our soldiers on this occasion has never been surpassed. The detachment of the 12th which took part in the Taranaki War was not a, numerically large one, but what it lacked in numbers it made up in activity and valour. They arrived in the roadstead from Australia on April 16, 1860 by H.M.S. Cordelia and City of Sydney, being part of the Ist Battalion con-1 sisfcing of 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 1 staff officer, 7 sergeants, 2 drummers, 9 corporals, and 117 rank and file.

They took an active part in the campaign of 1861 at Kairau, Matarikoriko, No. 3 Redoubt, Huirangi, and Te Arei, and only suffered slight loss. It was during this time that Captain Mace, then attached on special mounted duty to the Commander of the Forces, was brought in close contact with the 12th Regiment, and for this reason as well as his gallant services in the field, Captain Mace was requested to act on behaif of the Regiment and unveil the hatchment.