THIS SCEPTRED ISLE



I understand that a British regiment has in its collection a silver chamber pot. Could someone satisfy my curiosity by revealing which regiment it is, and how the pot was acquired? AT THE battle of Vittoria during the Peninsular War of 1813 the French baggage train was captured and such was its value that discipline in the British Army broke down. Looting was widespread, some private soldiers became millionaires overnight, and the Duke of Wellington was quite unable to pursue the defeated French. Among the booty was Joseph Bonaparte's silver chamber pot, given to him by his brother, the Emperor Napoleon. This was 'liberated' by a troop of the 14th Light Dragoons. To this day officers of that regiment (now the King's Royal Hussars) drink champagne from it on special occasions, presumably having first thoroughly scrubbed it. Mick Ochiltree, Benfleet, Essex. BECAUSE of this incident the regiment was nicknamed 'The Emperor's Chambermaids'. D. R. Fisher, Tyldesley, Manchester.



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