Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment.
In November 1688, Colonel Francis Luttrell was asked to raise an independent company of Foot (about 60 men and three officers) to support Prince William of Orange in his bid for the English throne.
When William marched on London, Luttrell’s Company was left at Exeter as the garrison. During the next two years, the company was expanded into a full regiment.
Still on display at the Castle today are muskets which are believed to have belonged to Luttrell’s regiment.
Until 1751, regiments were known by the name of their Colonel. In 1744 this posed a bit of problem when the regiment, under the command of Colonel Charles Howard, was brigaded with another regiment under the command of Lt General Thomas Howard.
As there was a possibility of confusion in the giving of orders it was decided to distinguish the two regiments by the colour of the facings on their uniforms. Charles Howard’s regiment therefore became known as ‘The Green Howards’. Thomas Howard’s regiment became known as ‘The Buff Howards’.
In line with the periodic reorganisation of the army, the official name of the regiment changed several times over the centuries. However, the nickname always stuck. Finally, in 1920, the Regiment was named The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princes of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment).
Active service
The Green Howards have seen active service in many conflicts including the American War of Independence, Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, Boer War and the First and Second World Wars.
This has earned the regiment 90 Battle Honours and 18 Victoria Crosses, including the only VC to be awarded on D-Day. As well as active service The Green Howards have been posted on garrison duties all over the world, including an amazing 25 years on a single posting to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) at the end of the 18th century.
In 1914, when the appointments of Colonel-in-Chief was created, the widowed Queen Alexandra became the regiment's first Colonel. This post was succeeded by King Haakon VII of Norway in 1942, in appreciation of the efforts of the 1st Battalion in Norway in 1940. King Haakon VII was followed in 1958 by King Olav V and in 1992 by King Harold V.
The Green Howards still view Dunster Castle as their ancestral home. They marked their 300th anniversary here in 1988. In 2001, they reformed their pipe and drum band to help celebrate the National Trust 25 years of ownership at Dunster Castle.
In 2006, the Green Howards will mark their amalgamation into the Royal Yorkshire regiment with a dinner in the Halls of Dunster Castle.
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