Richard Delingpole

9. Redcoat of 28th Regiment 1815

British Army, Napoleonic Wars.

In 1801 the regiment landed at Aboukir Bay in Egypt to oppose Napoleon's Army of the East. On 21 March, during the Battle of Alexandria, French cavalry broke through the British lines, formed up behind the regiment, and began to charge. Still heavily engaged to their front, the order was given "Rear Rank, 28th! Right About Face", and standing thus in two ranks, back to back, the regiment successfully defended itself. For this action the regiment was accorded the unique privilege of wearing a rear cap badge, a distinction it carries to this day.

Richard Delingpole