The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI) was an amalgamation of two regiments; the 32nd and 46th Foot. The 32nd was raised in 1702 as a regiment of marines and was known, from the name of their commanding officer, as ‘Fox’s Marines’. The first action of the Regiment was against a Spanish treasure fleet which had taken shelter in Vigo Bay. Well over a million pounds’ worth of silver was captured and two thousand Spaniards slain for negligible British losses. In 1704 the 32nd took apart in the siege and capture of Gibraltar and later fought at Dettingen (1743) during the War of the Austrian Succession (1743-48).
In 1741 a number of new regiments were raised, among which was the 57th Foot, known as Price’s Regiment, which was subsequently renumbered 46th Foot in 1748. The 46th was to see almost continuous action in Canada and the West Indies, fighting at Ticonderoga, Niagara, Quebec, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Granada and Saint Vincent. After a brief respite in Ireland, the 46th returned to America to fight the rebel colonials. In 1777 the Light Company of the 46th took part in an attack on a rebel force near Paoli. After a long and stealthy approach march through forest, the Company attacked with the bayonet, killing or capturing over 400 rebels. The Americans , viewing this as an example of British brutality, swore that no quarter would be given in future. Those who took part in the raid, determined that other regiments would not suffer on their account, dyed their hat feathers red, thus proclaiming that they alone were responsible. From that time forward the 46th wore red in their headdress.
