The 53rd Foot; so called from the brickdust-red colour of their facings. Also called Five-and-threʹpennies, a play on the number and daily pay of the ensigns.
Now called the 1st battalion of the “King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.” The 2nd battalion is the old 85th.
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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.
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