§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Essex Regiment has recently been permitted to wear a badge representing the French eagle captured by them at Salamanca, on their mess dress; whether the regiment has applied for leave to wear the badge on their uniform generally; and for what reason permission has been given in one case and withheld in the other.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt has not been thought desirable, after so long an interval of time, that a badge for Salamanca should be added to the honours of the regiment, but there appeared to be no objection to meeting the wishes of the officers by allowing them to wear it in mess dress, which is not a parade uniform.
§ MAJOR RASCHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Devonshire Regiment has recently been allowed to wear badges for Blenheim, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, battles which took place some 200 years ago?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am not aware of that. The hon. and gallant Member, however, is probably aware that two other regiments bear the eagle, but they alone were concerned, whereas, in the case 12 of the Essex Regiment, a cavalry regiment was also largely instrumental in securing the trophy.