Now retired, I have been reading Cornwell's "Sharpe" stories.
It has reminded me of this story which would seem too far fetched to believe if found in a book.

I found this quote,
"    The nicknames of the 58th are the "Black Cuffs" and the 2Steelbacks." The latter is said to be bestowed from their coolness in taking the floggings that were freely given in early days. This is admirably described in "Nicknames and Traditions of the British Army" in the following words; "While serving under Wellington in the Peninsular War, one Hovenden, a private in the regiment, was ordered to be flogged for his share in a breach of discipline; at the twentieth lash he became so exhausted that he fainted. So annoyed were his comrades that they would not recognise him. Discovering the cause of their conduct, he marched on to the square where the colonel was standing and told him that he (the colonel) was a fool; for this he was again sentenced to be flogged. During the night, while lying in his cell, the French attacked the regiment. Evading the guard, he escaped from the scene of the conflict, only to see his colonel wounded and in the hands of the enemy. Seizing a musket, he shot the Frenchman and liberated the colonel. After binding up his wounds he left him, and was making his way back to the cell when a bullet struck him, and entering the cell he expired. His desire to be flogged again was therefore not gratified."          The depot was at Northampton.

http://www.regimental-art.com/northamptonshire_reg.htm

I will try it tonight at the White Horse.
Vers 1 now
He nobly served in the Peninsular,
Was proved the hero at Bidassoa,
To drown the horror was his mission then,
But was charged a drunkard,
With his four good friends.