zotiades Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Hi - reference is made a few times to "the K.O.Y.L.I" in the East Surreys War Diary 1914 and I just wondered what it meant...any ideas? Here's an excerpt: "A heavy shrapnell fire was then opened on us and the K.O.Y.L.I, but in spite of our slender entrenchments, our losses were but small." (Sorry if I've posted in the wrong place but I'm new and wasn't too sure where to put this) Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Well beaten or what, yup its Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry well done Roger you were quick! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Rob, got to admit while I was typing it I was thinking I bet someone else is doing this right now Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zotiades Posted 16 February , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Ah, thanks guys - that clears that little mystery up! Cheers - Athenalaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Roger change your name to Trigger! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Do I win a prize? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Roger. ..Known to the rest of the Army as (I spell, phonetic..) the 'Coilies' - but as my father warned, never call one of them that to his face. Similarly the KOSB (King's Own Scottish Borderers) should never be (and still really, really shouldn't be) called 'Cosbees' to their face. Unless you really want unpleasantness to ensue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 And never offer a Black Watch soldier some bird food for the budgie on his head! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeppoSapone Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Which is the Highland Regiment that they taunted with "Cheese" and the reply was "Broken Square" and a free for all ensued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 I've been led to believe that 'broken square' is a reference to the Black Watch. It is apparently an untrue, according (I think) to Richard Holmes, reference to an infantry square being broken by French cavalry during the Peninsula War. Roxy PS My grandad (an ex-Cameron Highlander) used to deliberately refer to the KOSB as Kosbees if front of my grampa (you guessed it - an ex- KOSB). Oh what fun they had. Roxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Hello, There are several impolite versions as well. In part: KO You'll like it, and Keep out of YL insides I heard these from a Guards RSM in 1952 Old Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Which is the Highland Regiment that they taunted with "Cheese" and the reply was "Broken Square" and a free for all ensued. Dunno about the cheese. Broken Square is The Black Watch. It doesn't have to be true, it has the desired effect. There is a traditional exchange, which takes place between The Black Watch and the Gordon Highlanders. It refers to misuse of grazing animals. It can usually guarantee spirited action and reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeppoSapone Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Dunno about the cheese. Broken Square is The Black Watch. It doesn't have to be true, it has the desired effect. There is a traditional exchange, which takes place between The Black Watch and the Gordon Highlanders. It refers to misuse of grazing animals. It can usually guarantee spirited action and reaction. 'Tis the Gordon Highlanders (who are supposed to have riddled a wheel of cheese with bullets). I don't know where or when or why. It's just an excuse for a fight!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted 16 February , 2006 Share Posted 16 February , 2006 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Or more properly, "Gods Own Storm Troopers" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrB Posted 17 February , 2006 Share Posted 17 February , 2006 The Black Watch "Broken square" occurred during the unpleasantness in Egypt/Sudan region at the Battle of Tamai, 13 March, 1884, according to Barthrop in "War on the Nile." DrB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now