Mottoes Borne by The British Regiments
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Mottoes Borne by The British Regiments
The traditional Latin and English mottoes carried by regiments of the British Army, together with their translations and the units entitled to use them.
Such mottoes, often drawn from classical or heraldic sources, reflected a regiment’s spirit, battle honours, or historic associations.
Many of these mottoes survive today in successor formations or museum displays, while others disappeared with post-war amalgamations.
They offer a concise glimpse into the pride and identity of regiments that served through the First World War and earlier campaigns.
Collectors and historians will recognise how such expressions of duty and courage often appear on badges, guidons, and medals — enduring symbols of regimental tradition.
Find collectible cap badges and helmet plates with such mottoes in our cap badges collection.
This transcription is provided for research and reference.
| Motto | Translation | Borne By |
| Accio Splendore Resurgo | I will arise with increased splendour | King's (Shropshire) Light Infantry, 16th Lancers |
| Aut Cæsar, aut Cæminus Aerius | Either in the charge, or hand in hand | 16th Lancers |
| Cede Nullius | Yield to none | King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
| Celer et Audax | Alert and intrepid | King's Royal Rifles |
| Cuidich 'n Righ | Health to the King | Seaforth Highlanders |
| Firm | Worcestershire Regiment | |
| Gwell Angau na Chywildydd | Death before dishonour | Welsh Regiment |
| In veritate religionis confido | I trust in the truth of religion | King's Own Scottish Borderers |
| Meritere | We will deserve | 15th Hussars, Suffolk Regiment |
| Montis Insignia Calpe (Gibraltar) | The arms of the 'rock of Gibraltar' | Essex Regiment |
| Ne Obliviscaris | Forget-not | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders |
| Nec Aspera Terrent | Nor do difficulties deter | 3rd Hussars, King's (Liverpool Regiment), West Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Scots Fusiliers, The Black Watch |
| Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (Motto of the Order of the Thistle) | None provokes me with impunity | Royal Scots, Royal Scots Fusiliers |
| Nil Sine Labore | Nothing without labour | Army Service Corps |
| Nisi Dominus Frustra (Motto of the City of Edinburgh) | Unless God be with us, all is in vain | King's Own Scottish Borderers |
| Or Glory (under Death’s Head) | ‘Or Glory’ (under Death’s Head) | 17th Lancers |
| Primus in Indis | First in India | Dorsetshire Regiment |
| Pristinae Virtutis Memores | Mindful of its ancient valour | 8th Hussars, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) |
| Pro Rege, pro Lege, pro Patria Conamur | For King, for Law, for Country we strove | 18th Hussars |
| Quis Separabit (Motto of the Order of St. Patrick) | Who shall separate (us)? | 5th Lancers, Royal Irish Rifles, Connaught Rangers, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regt.), Northumberland Fusiliers, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Devonshire Regiment |
| Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt | Where right and glory lead | Royal Dragoons |
| Quo Fata Vocant | Whither the fates call | Royal Irish Fusiliers |
| Sans Peur | Without fear | Royal Artillery |
| Semper Fidelis (Motto of the City of Exeter) | Always faithful | Royal Engineers |
| Semper Agendo | Let us be judged by our deeds / We are judged by our deeds | Scots Guards, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards |
| Ubique | Everywhere | Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery |
| Velox, Versutus, Vigilans | No footsteps backward | The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) |
| Veluti in Specula | May it flourish by its ancient honours | Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) |
| Velox et Audax | The Sphinx, superscribed 'Egypt' | Royal Irish Regiment |
| Velox et Ferox | It flourishes for ever | West Riding Regiment |
| Virtute et Valore | The reward of valour | Royal Marines |
| Virtus Fortuna Comes (the Duke of Wellington’s Motto) | Success the companion of valour |
West Riding Regiment |