The Buffs
(The Royal East Kent Regiment)

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The Unofficial Pages.

 History of The Buffs
A brief background of The Regiment.

Contributions
These are items about The Buffs over the years
and I would be grateful for any additions that
might be of interest to visitors to these pages.
Any historical references to the men would be
appreciated.
Includes a listing of WWI dead of the regiment
which is close to complete.

The Garrison Notice Board
This is where ex-members of the regiment
can leave messages in the hopes that they might
make contact with their friends that also served
with The Buffs at various times.

Steady The Buffs!
Where did this expression come from?

The Buffs Association
Details of the Regimental Association,
Canterbury Branch.

The Regimental Association now has it's own official web site at: http://www.the-queens-own-buffs.com

The Private of The Buffs
A Poem.


Dedicated to the
past and remaining
members of The
Regiment.
Press the button to hear the
familiar sound of the bell of
H.M.S. Canterbury.
(large file - 200K)


To the Men of Kent
October, 1803

Vanguard of liberty, ye Men of Kent,
Ye children of a soil that doth advance
Its haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!
To France be words of invitation sent!
They from their fields can see the countenance
Of your fierce war, may ken the glittering lance,
And hear you shout forth your brave intent.
Left single, in bold parley, ye, of yore,
Did from the Norman win a gallant wreath;
Confirmed the charters that were yours before;
No parleying now! In Britain is one breath;
We all are with you now from shore to shore;
Ye Men of Kent, 'tis victory or death!

william wordsworth

Unfortunately, in some respects, I have no connection with The Buffs which is why I refer to these as "the unofficial pages". Without giving away too many secrets about my age, I was just too young for National Service. My Father was R.A. and my Grandfathers were in The King's Royal Horse and R.E.M.E. However, I couldn't construct a set of pages about East Kent without making reference to The Buffs and as I have found that there has been quite a bit of interest, I have expanded this corner of the site to form it's own little section. I hope that as I add pieces to it, then it will encourage more visitors. In addition, I hope that those that visit this particular area will also find something of interest in the rest of my pages about Genealogy and East Kent.

Although the Buffs ceased to exist in 1966, they are not forgotten.

....and I've just been dying to say it!

STEADY THE BUFFS!!


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