The Green Howards were formed in 1688. they have unbroken loyal
service to the Crown for over 300 years. Green Howards have taken part
in most of the main campaigns and wars since the 17th Century, most of
them when designated the 19th Regiment of Foot.
The Regiment received the nickname the Green Howards in 1744 to avoid confusion on the battlefield when two regiments were named after their Colonel - Howard's Regiment. As one Regiment wore green facings on their scarlet uniforms they were called the Green Howards, whilst the other was nicknamed the Buffs after their buff brown facings. the nickname became official in 1920.
The Green Howards raised 24 Battalions in World War 1 and 13 in World War II and fought in all the major theatres of war. Since 1945 the Regiment has seen active service in Malaya, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Bosnia.
The Green Howards Today
The 1st Battalion, which has over 600 regular Green Howard Soldiers, is stationed in Osnabruck in Germany. they are trained to fight from inside and outside their Warrior infantry fighting vehicles as they form part of 4th Armoured Brigade and NATO's Rapid Reaction Corps.
The 4th/5th Battalion, which has over 400 part-time or territorial Green Howards, is based in Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire. They train as infantry soldiers at weekends and on drill nights and have an annual camp. The Battalion has taken part in many overseas exercises and many members of the Battalion have supported the 1st Battalion, including serving in Bosnia.
The Green Howards are also known as "the Travelling Regiment" and the Regiment has organised and run many adventurous training expeditions. Recently members of the Regiment have taken part in expeditions to France, South Georgia, Canada, and Siberia in Russia.
the Norwegian Link The connection between the Scandinavian Royal family and the Green Howards goes back to 1875 when Princess Alexandra of Denmark agreed to give her name as Princess of Wales to the Regiment. She also designed the Green Howards badge. As Queen of England, Alexandra became the first Colonel-in-Chief. Her daughter Princess Maud married Haakon VII of Norway who in 1942 followed his mother-in-law in becoming Colonel-in-Chief. This honour has passed on to his son Olav V and on to his son Harold V, the present King of Norway.
The Green Howards in Bosnia on Warrior.
Old Green Howard cap badges - image courtesy of Dave Williams.
1/ Green Howards badge with WWII crown instead of coronet.
2/ A victorian officers cap badge, with a different style of Dannebrog. This Dannebrog was worn before 1908 and again from 1958.
3/ 19th Hussars cap badge, also worn as collars, same size, same metal.
4 / Green Howards badge worn 1908 - 1958, also worn as collars, same size, same metal.
5/ Green Howards badge, worn on the puggaree hat.
6/ A very rare 1st volunteer battalion cap badge worn 1902-1908.
7/ Green Howards badge worn on the foreign service helmet. I have included this as the Dannebrog in the centre is identical to that worn as an alternative collar device.
Regimental march - "Bonnie English Rose".
Visit a better site to view the history of the Green Howards.
