Below is some genealogy information on the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot of the British army that may help searches for military ancestors.

Theatres of War, Army Regiments, Naval Detachments, RAF

Description: Formed in 1755 as the 57th Regiment of Foot. In 1757 they were renamed the 55th Regiment of Foot. They saw action in the American War of Independence. In 1782 they were renamed the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot. They saw action in the Napoleonic war fighting in the Peninsular Wars. They saw action in the Crimean War, fighting at the battles of Alma, Inkerman and Sevastapol. In 1881 they formed the Border Regiment after amalgamating with the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot. They saw action in the Boer Wars, fighting at Colenso, Spionkop, Valkrantz and Pieters and Ladysmith. During the First World War they fought across the Western, Italian, Turkish and Greek fronts at battles such as the 1st battle of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Bridge, Festubert, Loos, the Somme (1916), Passchedaele, Vittorio Veneto, Gallipoli, Horseshoe Hill, Machukovo and Doiran. During the Second World War they fought across the Wester, African and Far Eastern fronts and were involved in the Dunkirk evacuations, the invasion of Italy and Arnhem. In 1959 they were amalgamated into The King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Their nickname is The Two Fives.

Military actions:

• Peninsular Wars
• Crimean war: Alma
• Crimean war: Inkerman
• Crimean: Siege of Sevastapol
• Boer war: Colenso
• Boer war: Spionkop
• Boer war: Valkrantz and Pieters
• Boer war: Ladysmith
• WWI: 1st battle of Ypres
• WWI: Neuve Chapelle
• WWI: Aubers Bridge
• WWI: Festubert
• WWI: Loos
• WWI: Somme (1916)
• WWI: 3rd battle of Ypres
• WWI: Vittorio Veneto
• WWI: Gallipoli
• WWI: Horseshoe Hill
• WWI: Machukovo
• WWI: Doiran
• WWII: Dunkirk evacuations
• WWII: Invasion of Italy
• WWII: Arnhem

Websites:

• Wikipedia: 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot

Reading materials:

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