13th .281st Somersetshire.29 .28Prince Albert.27s Light Infantry.29 Regiment of Foot Somerset Light Infantry

1 13th (1st somersetshire) (prince albert s light infantry) regiment of foot

1.1 crimean war
1.2 return india
1.3 formation of second battalion

13th (1st somersetshire) (prince albert s light infantry) regiment of foot

standard bearer , officer in uniform of 1866. dark blue facings authorised in 1842 appear on tunic , regimental colours. green feather plume on shako head dress distinguishing mark light infantry regiment.

the conduct of 13th @ jalalabad officially rewarded on 26 august 1842, when prince albert offered patronage regiment , permitted name used in title, becoming 13th (1st somersetshire) (prince albert s light infantry) regiment of foot. @ same time, regimental facings changed yellow (royal) blue, , badge of mural crown scroll inscribed jellalabad granted display on colours , uniform of regiment. unit honoured firing of twenty-one gun salute @ each army station passed on return india.

the 13th light infantry returned england in 1845 after 23 years of foreign service. presented new colours @ portsmouth in 1846, regiment moved ireland in following year, remaining there until 1850, before spending year in scotland. 1851–1854, stationed in gibraltar.

crimean war

in 1854, regiment brought full strength and, in june of following year, landed in crimea part of anglo-french forces conducting campaign against russians. took part in siege of sevastopol, , remained in area after ending of hostilities in february 1856, subsequently sailing south africa.

return india

in may 1857, indian mutiny broke out. reinforcements requested, , 13th arrived @ kolkata in october 1857. took part in minor actions.

formation of second battalion

the british army had been shown overstretched crimean war, while mutiny in india had led responsibility providing garrison in subcontinent honourable east india company crown forces. accordingly, there need expansion , reorganisation of existing regiments. rather raising new infantry regiments, senior regiments of foot each ordered raise second battalion, existing regiment being redesignated 1st battalion. 2nd battalion of 13th light infantry raised @ winchester in january 1858. 2 battalions, while sharing depot, operated separate units.

the 1st battalion saw active service in south africa, fighting in ninth xhosa war of 1878 , anglo-zulu war of 1879.