"Now that's soldiering!"
The 95th Rifles were formed in 1800 as the "Experimental Corps of Riflemen" as the Napoleonic wars loomed over the British isles. Utilizing lessons learned from the less formalized arrangements of British light infantry companies that had been attached to line units in the American Revolution, the new unit was drilled and trained to serve as elite skirmishers. Marksmanship and open order combat was emphasized over contemporary line regiment tactics, allowing them to serve on equal footing with French "chasseur" light infantry that had wreaked havoc in continental Europe. Therotically, these men would serve as augmentees to line units, clad in distinctive dark green uniforms in contrast to the typical British Army redcoats.
After the Copenhagen campaign, the unit was officially established within the British regimental system 1802 as the independently functioning "95th Regiment of Foot". The unit fought with distinction during the Peninsula War in Spain, and the Waterloo campaign. In addition, battalions of the unit fought in places as far away as Denmark, and South America. Several of these campaigns are notably described by Rifleman Benjamin Harris in his personal memoirs, a rare personal memoir of a private soldier despite the rampant illiteracy of the Napoleonic era. Recorded in vivid detail by a scribe (like most of his fellow Britons, Harris was illiterate), his memoirs and the regimental history would inspire Bernard Cornwell's fictional "Sharpe" novels and various television adaptations.
Among this already elite body of men, were the "chosen men" of the regiment, particularly skilled soldiers given this unique designation in lieu of promotions as non-commissioned officers. The "chosen men" were quite literally the best, of the best for their era.
This patch features a vintage "CHOSEN MAN" script, under a stylized insignia of the legendary 95th Rifles.
Produced in the standard 3x2" size with hook velcro backing, similar in specification to milspec unit patches.
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