Battle Honour MONTE VIDEO.

The Battle Honour MONTE VIDEO is emblazoned on the Regimental Colours of The Royal Irish Regiment.

The 1st Battalion 87th Regiment of Foot, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward Butler, sailed from Plymouth on 12 September 1806 and disembarked near Monte Video on 16 January 1807. It was part of an expeditionary force commanded by Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty. The 87th's first task was to protect the British force's breaching artillery.

The siege of Monte Video and its Spanish garrison, commanded by Brigadier-General Bernardo Lecocq*, began after a preliminary action on 24 January, when two columns of advancing Spanish troops were outnumbered and defeated. Following several days of bombardment against a weak section of the walls, a breach was effected. Auchmuty then ordered an attack on the breach which began in the early hours of 3 February. Meanwhile, the 87th stood ready at the San Pedro (north) gate on the opposite side of the city. Hearing the fighting inside the city, they scaled the walls and attacked the Spanish rear. Auchmuty, in the written record of thanks published by his staff, stated:

'The 87th, under Lieut.-Colonel Sir Edward Butler, were equally forward; and to their credit, it must be noticed that they were posted under the great gate, to rush into the town when it should be opened by the troops, who entered at the breach; but their ardour would not allow them to wait, they scaled the walls, and opened themselves a passage'.

The 87th subsequently received Royal Authority to display its first Battle Honour MONTE VIDEO on the Regimental Colours.

*
A Spanish military engineer who had been responsible for the construction of Monte Video's defences. His mother was Irish.