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The following is taken from "The East Surrey Regiment (The 31st and 70th Regiments of Foot)" written by Michael Langley. Published by Leo Cooper, London, 1972.
The East Surrey Regiment started life on 1 June 1702, as Villiers' Marines and served in this capacity for the next ten years, during which time it played a vital part in the War of Spanish Succession. The first important victory in the Naval Campaign was the capture of Gibraltar by the Marines on 21 July, 1703.
Those first ten years as Marines taught the Regiment how to look after itself, and the close liaison built up between the Marines and the East Surreys has existed to their mutal advantage ever since. The East Surreys is one of the few British Regiments authorized to remain seated when drinking the Loyal Toast, a tradition which derives from the narrow space between the decks of the ships in which they served.
In those early days Regiment names were constantly changing and it was not until the Territorial reorganization of 1881 that The 31st (Huntingdonshire) and The 70th (Surrey) Regiments became respectively the 1st and 2nd battalions of the East Surrey Regiment. The 70th of Foot had an association with Surrey which dated back to 1782.
The two battalions seemed to have served in almost every outpost of the Empire in which the British Soldier has set foot from Northern Russia to New Zealand. The 31st served with distinction in the Peninsular War. Of the many honours they won, none is more proudly remembered than Sobranon, where, on 10 February, 1846, they led the attack against the Sikhs. Sobraon Day is still celebrated each year.
During the Battle of "Hill 60", within 24 hours, between dawn and on the 20th and dawn on the 21th April, 1915, the 1st Battalion earned three VCs and seven DCMs. Their casualties on Hill 60 amounted to seven officers and 106 other ranks killed - eight officers and 158 other ranks wounded.
You can find more information in the following books:
"History of the 31st Foot, Huntingdonshire Regiment - 70th Foot, Surrey Regiment, subsequently 1st & 2nd Battalions - The East Surrey Regiment. Volumes 2 & 3: History of the East Surrey Regiment" by Col H.W. Pearse and Brig Gen H.S. Sloman. Published by The Medici Society Ltd., London, 1933-4.
The Long, Long Trail - The British Army in the Great War
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
"History of the East Surrey Regiment" by F.A. Mason
"The East Surrey Regiment" by Chris Baker (The British Army in the Great War)
"The East Surrey Regiment" by Brad Chappell (The Regiment Warpath 1914 - 1918)
In order to find the military records of your ancestor you will need to know the Regiment that your ancestor served with and his Regimental number. You can use his medals and/or any photographs to find this information. On the rim of his Great War medals there will be some lettering that will give you his number and his regiment or corps.
To obtain military records of servicemen from the East Surrey Regiment - Write to the following address:
For more information on military badges and medals try The Orders and Medals Research Society
Military History - Your Guide to Resource
or you can contact the Queens Royal Surrey Regiment Museum at
The Queens Royal Surrey Regiment Museum
Clandon Park
Guildford, Surrey
Gu4 7RQ
The Following members of the East Surrey Regiment received the "War Badge"
6276 Pte Margetts Geo.
17572 Pte Griffiths, Leonard Reg. Lloyd
12746 Sgt Bowen, Nathan
8005 Pte Cannell, Abraham
28141 Pte Birchfield, Percy Augustus
5338 Pte Adams, Joseph
5337 Pte Watts, Geo.
11346 Pte Willsher, Fredk. Wm.
17702 Pte Perren, Arthur
8782 Pte Crawford, John Roger
5003 Pte Fincham, John
24792 Pte Todd, Wm. John
If you would like a hard copy of the "War Badge" sheet for any of the East Surrey members listed above. Plse contact me at:
Tribute to East Surreys by General French
The Queens Royal Surrey Regiment Museum
'Military Images' (free) Web Site
Please contact me if you have any information on the East Surrey Regiment or any of its past members.
Would you like your picture of your East Surrey relative displayed on this website. Plse send me an electronic copy of your photos.
