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On
the 1st of June 1794, the British fleet, under Lord Howe, came into action
against the French. Rather
more than 400 of The Worcestershire Regiment were serving in the Fleet,
distributed among several ships. Eighty-one
were in HMS BRUNSWICK. As
BRUNSWICK went into action, the Ships Band, including a drummer of the
29th, played a popular air of the time – ‘Hearts of Oak’.
BRUNSWICK met and came to close grips with LE VENGEUR, a French
ship of equal size and armament, and for over two hours they fought. |
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29th put up a magnificent fight. The
Captain of the detachment was killed and the Ensign and 20 others were
wounded. During the progress
of the Battle, ACHILLE came to the aid of LE VENGEUR, but with one
broadside BRUNSWICK disabled her. At
last BRUNSWICK and LE VENGEUR drifted apart and the French ship, which was
sinking, surrendered. Some of
the crew subsequently hoisted the French Colours again and went down
gallantly with the ship. |
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For
its part in the engagement, The Worcestershire Regiment was later awarded
the Naval Crown. |
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