Red Jacket day at Nottingham Castle - April 6th

It's Red Jacket day at Nottingham Castle commemorating the Battle of Busaco where, in 1810, in the siege of Badajoz, a detachment of the 45th succeeded in entering the Castle, and the red coat of an officer from the 45th was hoisted in place of the French flag, to indicate the fall of the castle.

This feat is commemorated annually on April 6th, when red jackets are flown on Regimental- and Nottingham Castle flag-staffs.

The history of the 45th Regiment of Foot, The Sherwood Foresters,  goes back to 1741. The 45th Regiment becme part of the Peninsular Army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.

The 45th was present at the opening battle at Rolica (1808) and served - without a break, in all of Wellington's famous battles until the siege of Toulouse (1814). The regiment is distinguished for winning no less than thirteen battle honours. Wellington, in his official report describing their bravery at the Battle of Talavera said; 'upon this occasion, the steadiness and discipline of the 45th Regiment were conspicuous.' The Regiment was thereafter nick-named 'The Old Stubborns.'