E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fighting Fifth (The).
The 5th Foot. This sobriquet was given to the regiment during the Peninsular War.
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The “Old and Bold Fifth,” the Duke of Wellington’s Body-guard, is now called the “Northumberland Fusiliers.” What a terrible vexation must the abolition of the time-honoured names of our old regiments have been to our army!
