1 August 1916:
Minden Day. Half holiday. At Whitley with Steel.
This diary entry has helped to explain one of the three group photos that still survives showing Louis with his fellow officers.
Minden day is celebrated by those regiments that are successors to the 10 or so that took part in the Battle of Minden on 1 August 1759 when the Anglo German forces defeated the French. Amongst the regiments that fought were the 51st Foot the forerunners of The Yorkshire Light Infantry.
As they advanced into battle the soldiers plucked wild roses and wore them about their hats and jackets.
So on 1 August those successor regiments celebrate by wearing roses in their caps and jackets and decorating the regimental colours with garlands of roses.
Most regiments celebrate with red roses , but KOYLI wear the White Rose of Yorkshire. In 1975, 1 August became Yorkshire Day to celebrate the presence of Yorkshire soldiers at The Batttle of Minden.
In the photo below Louis is with his fellow officers , many wearing the white rose. There appears to be a garland hanging behind them ( which looks like the regimental emblem bedecked with roses). Louis is the fifth from the right standing, with 3 roses in his cap and one in his jacket lapel.
This diary entry has helped to explain one of the three group photos that still survives showing Louis with his fellow officers.
Minden day is celebrated by those regiments that are successors to the 10 or so that took part in the Battle of Minden on 1 August 1759 when the Anglo German forces defeated the French. Amongst the regiments that fought were the 51st Foot the forerunners of The Yorkshire Light Infantry.
As they advanced into battle the soldiers plucked wild roses and wore them about their hats and jackets.
So on 1 August those successor regiments celebrate by wearing roses in their caps and jackets and decorating the regimental colours with garlands of roses.
Most regiments celebrate with red roses , but KOYLI wear the White Rose of Yorkshire. In 1975, 1 August became Yorkshire Day to celebrate the presence of Yorkshire soldiers at The Batttle of Minden.
In the photo below Louis is with his fellow officers , many wearing the white rose. There appears to be a garland hanging behind them ( which looks like the regimental emblem bedecked with roses). Louis is the fifth from the right standing, with 3 roses in his cap and one in his jacket lapel.
