Green Howards

The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) is an infantry regiment of the British Army. As of 2004, it was one of five that had not been amalgamated in its entire history. The regiment was formed in 1688 from independent companies of infantry in Devonshire. However, in 1751, when it became the 19th Regiment of Foot, it became the county regiment of North Yorkshire. However, the regiment has been known as 'The Green Howards' since 1744, when the regiment's colonel was the Honourable Sir Charles Howard. At that time, regiments were known by the name of their colonel. However, at the same time, there was another regiment, commanded by Sir George Howard. In order to tell them apart (they both would have been known as 'Howard's Regiment of Foot'), the colours of their uniform facings were used - so one became the Green Howards, while the other became the 'Buff Howards' (and eventually simply 'The Buffs'). Although the Green Howards were referred to as such from then on, the name didn't become official until 1920.

In 2004, as part of the re-organisation of the infantry, it was announced that the Green Howards would merge with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment to form the new Yorkshire Regiment.