3rd FOOT, BUFFS EAST KENT REGIMENT - 1st & 2nd V.B.

~ THE BUFFS ~

1601 - 1700

THE HOLLAND REGIMENT, FIRST FORMED 1572

Uniform type c. 1688 (Musketeer)

The Buffs, an old photograph in my collection c. 1890's early 1900's

In 1665 the last Englishmen of those who served successively in Holland from 1572 returned home and became The Holland Regiment. In 1689 the title changed to Prince George of Denmark's Regt. also known as the 3rd Foot, THE BUFFS.

This regiment was put on the regular establishment of the army in the year 1665, the fifth after the restoration of King Charles the Second, the command of which was given to George R. Sidney, who held it for three years, when he died, and was succeeded in it by Sir Walter Vane. It was denominated the Buffs, from being the first whose accouterments, such as sword-belts, pouch covers, or flaps, &c. were made of leather prepared from the buffalo, after the manner of shamois. The waistcoats, breeches, and facings of the coat, were afterwards directed to be made of a correspondent colour. When other regiments assumed this part of their appointments of the same, the regiment acquired the name of Old Buffs. This regiment has the privilege (and we believe exclusively) of marching through the city of London by beat of drum. We cannot learn, however, whence, or on what occasion, it was derived; probably for having been selected or distinguished for defending the city from some danger in a riot, fire, &c. or from having been originally raised within its precincts. It has, indeed, been vaguely reported, that the 3d regiment was at first composed of men who had belonged to the city. The Buffs have often been remarked for the posts of danger they have been in, and for acts of bravery they have achieved, especially under their commanders the Duke of Argyle and General G. Howard. ..... 1811

1665. The regiment was recalled to England by Charles II., and his Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieut.-Col. Robert Sidney, by commission dated May 31, 1665. At the same time its appellation of the Holland Regiment continued during the succeeding twenty-four years. It obtained rank in the English army from the date of its arrival in England in May, 1665, and was consequently fourth in the British line. The first was Douglas's Regiment now the 1st Royal, which arrived in England from France in the summer of 1661, and obtained rank from that date; the second was the Tangier Regiment, now the 2nd or Queen's Royal, raised in the autumn of 1661; the third was the Admiral's or Duke of York's Regiment, raised in 1664, and incorporated in 1689 in the 2nd Foot Guards; the fourth was the Holland Regiment, but after the above incorporation of the Duke of York's Regiment it became the 3rd Foot, and obtained at that time the title of "Prince George of Denmark's Regiment."

Motto "Veteri Frondescit Honore"....."With its Ancient Honour it is Evergreen"


~ THE BUFFS ~ 1601 - 1700 THE HOLLAND REGIMENT, FIRST FORMED 1572 Uniform type c. 1688 (Musketeer) *The Buffs, an old photograph in my collection c. 1890's early 1900's* In 1665 the last Englishmen of those who served successively in Holland from 1572 returned home and became The Holland Regiment. In 1689 the title changed to Prince George of Denmark's Regt. also known as the 3rd Foot, THE BUFFS. This regiment was put on the regular establishment of the army in the year 1665, the fifth after the restoration of King Charles the Second, the command of which was given to George R. Sidney, who held it for three years, when he died, and was succeeded in it by Sir Walter Vane. It was denominated the Buffs, from being the first whose accouterments, such as sword-belts, pouch covers, or flaps, &c. were made of leather prepared from the buffalo, after the manner of shamois. The waistcoats, breeches, and facings of the coat, were afterwards directed to be made of a correspondent colour. When other regiments assumed this part of their appointments of the same, the regiment acquired the name of Old Buffs. This regiment has the privilege (and we believe exclusively) of marching through the city of London by beat of drum. We cannot learn, however, whence, or on what occasion, it was derived; probably for having been selected or distinguished for defending the city from some danger in a riot, fire, &c. or from having been originally raised within its precincts. It has, indeed, been vaguely reported, that the 3d regiment was at first composed of men who had belonged to the city. The Buffs have often been remarked for the posts of danger they have been in, and for acts of bravery they have achieved, especially under their commanders the Duke of Argyle and General G. Howard. ..... 1811 1665. The regiment was recalled to England by Charles II., and his Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieut.-Col. Robert Sidney, by commission dated May 31, 1665. At the same time its appellation of the Holland Regiment continued during the succeeding twenty-four years. It obtained rank in the English army from the date of its arrival in England in May, 1665, and was consequently fourth in the British line. The first was Douglas's Regiment now the 1st Royal, which arrived in England from France in the summer of 1661, and obtained rank from that date; the second was the Tangier Regiment, now the 2nd or Queen's Royal, raised in the autumn of 1661; the third was the Admiral's or Duke of York's Regiment, raised in 1664, and incorporated in 1689 in the 2nd Foot Guards; the fourth was the Holland Regiment, but after the above incorporation of the Duke of York's Regiment it became the 3rd Foot, and obtained at that time the title of "Prince George of Denmark's Regiment." Motto "Veteri Frondescit Honore"....."With its Ancient Honour it is Evergreen"
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