Programme for the parade to commemorate the gallantry of the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) at the Battle of Ferozeshah, 1st Sikh War (1845-1846)

Leaflet printed by Gale and Polden Limited, 20 December 1958.

During the Battle of Ferozeshah, 20-21 December 1845, the 80th Regiment of Foot were tasked with silencing the gun batteries of their Sikh enemies. On the first day they successfully charged the guns through the hail of grape and round shot. However, they suffered severely when they then faced a counterattack from the front which was supported by Sikhs in their rear, who had either hidden in entrenchments or feigned death as the men of the regiment had advanced past them.

That night the regiment undertook a daring, though costly, night attack against a heavy calibre gun that was causing the British forces serious casualties. When fighting resumed the following mourning the regiment was called upon, once more, to assault the Sikh guns. The battle took a heavy toll on the regiment. Four officers and 32 other ranks were killed, four officers and 73 other ranks wounded and seven other ranks were missing in action. Speaking later in Parliament, the Duke of Wellington praised the regiment's conduct declaring 'who but old soldiers could have done what the 80th did at Ferozeshah when they stormed the batteries which were pouring shot and shell into their bivouac'.

Further acts of heroism were performed on the afternoon of the second day when the Sikhs launched a series of counterattacks. The regiment engaged a party of the enemy wearing chain armour and bearing a black flag at their head. This standard was seized by Captain Shebberas, who was killed soon after. So too were Captain Best and Corporal Brown, in their efforts to capture this prized battle trophy. Finally, Colour Sergeant Matthew Kirkland took it and, though wounded, managed to retain it until the enemy were beaten off. Kirkland was commissioned as a reward for his gallantry.

This action has been commemorated ever since by the regiment and its successors, down to the present-day Mercian Regiment, in an annual ceremony in which the colours are presented to the Warrant Officers and Sergeants, before being returned to the officers at midnight. The captured Sikh standard now hangs above a Sikh War Memorial in Lichfield Cathedral.