Why walk all the way to Germany carrying a rose tree?
Probably, the obvious answer is, because the rose bush can't get there on its own!
In fact, the story concerns: a battle, fought 250 years ago, some roses, which may or may not have been white, a Yorkshire Infantry regiment, England's largest county which was 'reorganised' in 1974 and a group of people who believe that the county still exists.
The Battle of Minden
250 years ago, on the 1st August 1759, soldiers of the 51st Regiment of Foot, a Yorkshire Regiment, took part in the battle of Minden, a vital battle in the Seven Years' War. There were several British regiments fighting alongside the Prussians and a few others, against the French and some of their allies.
During the battle, there seems to have been a misunderstanding of orders and the Infantry attacked the French cavalry. This was quite against the rules of warfare and today would have resulted in the infantry men being shown yellow cards. However, the infantry mauled the French cavalry so badly that the Prussians and their allies were able to secure a famous victory.
Roses and the British Regiments
Reports of the battle mention that the British Soldiers picked roses and wore them on their uniforms, possibly in memory of their fallen comrades. News was in black and white in those days so the colour of the roses is not known. This part of the story supplies one reason for taking a rose tree to MInden.
Yorkshire Day is celebrated on 1st August, the same day that the battle is celebrated, as Minden Day', in Minden and by regiments which carry the battle honour of Minden. The British regiments wear....roses on the day, in memory of their distant comrades. Regiments with Yorkshire connections wear white roses. We know this because news is now in colour. This is a further reason for the Rose trip.
A living reminder
The White Rose is, of course, widely used as a badge showing a link with the county and appears on its flag. The famous flag has been in use for some time but was officially registered as the county's flag last year. Thus the rose is being carried as a symbol of the county in linking the two celebration days.
Finally, the rose will be planted near the memorial to the battle to ensure that white roses bloom every year, at the battle site, in memory of all those who fought, especially the Yorkshire infantrymen.
Why walk with the rose? Well the Yorkshiremen were infantrymen who travelled and fought on their feet. That seems reason enough.
And the group of people who believe that Yorkshire is alive and well? They are the members of the Yorkshire Ridings' Society, owners of this website, promoters of the integrity of Yorkshire and Yorkshire Day and sponsors of the walk.
- Latest reports on the Yorkshire Ridings Society walk from York to Minden.
- Minden's celebrations
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