Original British Early 19th Century Cross Belt Plate from the 57th Regiment of Foot Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. A Cross Belt plate was worn on the white buff belt slung across an Infantryman’s shoulder and chest, very often to carry his ammunition pouch. In the case of Officers, the Cross Belt plate was used to carry the Infantry Sword. This plate displays the Royal Crown over 57, which surrounded by laurel leaves and placed under the Battle Honor for ALBUHERA, gained in the Peninsula War (1809 – 1814). Measures just over 2 1/2″ X 3 3/4″ and slightly curved and constructed of mainly brass. Officer’s were often Sterling Silver.

The 57TH REGIMENT OF FOOT was raised in 1755 for the 7 Years War which we know as the FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. The Regiment served in South Carolina in 1776, fought at the Battle of Long Island, Fort Clinton and Montgomery ultimately surrendering at Yorktown. It adopted a county designation as the 57th (the West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot in August 1782, as with other regiments.

During the Napoleonic Wars it served in the Iberian Peninsula between 1809 and 1814. At the Battle of ALBUHERA in May 1811, it sustained casualties of 422 Other Ranks out of a total of 570 and the loss of 20 of it’s 30 Officers. They were commanded by COLONEL WILLIAM INGLISS who lay terribly wounded and shouted “DIE HARD THE 57TH, DIE HARD!” The Allied Supreme Commander General Sir William Beresford wrote in his dispatches:-

“OUR DEAD, PARTICULARLY THE 57TH REGIMENT WERE LYING AS THEY FOUGHT IN THE RANKS, EVERY WOUND TO THE FRONT”

The Regiment then became known as “THE DIE HARDS”. They served in the Crimean War of 1854/55, the Sepoy Rebellion also know as the Indian Mutiny, and in the ZULU WARS of 1879. One of Britain’s truly Glorious Regiments which in 1881 became THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT as part of the Childer’s reforms. Company Director Christian Cranmer’s grandfather fought in WWI as part of this regiment.

A fine 57th of Foot Cross Belt Plate, ready to display.