Officer's shoulder belt plate, 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot, 1810 (c)

Oval brass shoulder belt plate with a garter surmounted by a crown, with harp in the centre.

During the Battle of Albuera (16 May 1811) General William Beresford's army came under a massive flanking attack by a French force under Marshal Soult. A storm of shot tore into the British ranks and the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot suffered particularly severely. The 57th's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis, was hit but remained with the Regiment's colours, encouraging his men with the words 'Die hard, 57th, die hard'. A counter-attack saved the day and the French were eventually defeated. From that day on, the 57th have been known as 'The Die Hards'.