38th Regiment of Foot

38th Regiment of Foot
Unit name	38th Regiment of Foot
Dates	1705–1881
Country	Kingdom of England (1705–1707), Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800), United Kingdom (1801–1881)
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Battles	War of the Spanish Succession, Seven Years' War, American Revolutionary War, French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, First Anglo-Afghan War, Crimean War

38th Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1705. It served with distinction for over 175 years, seeing action across the globe from the battlefields of Europe to North America and India. The regiment was amalgamated into The South Staffordshire Regiment in 1881 as part of the Cardwell Reforms.

History

The regiment's long history encompasses major conflicts of the 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting the global reach of the British Empire. Its service took it from the Low Countries to the Caribbean, the Thirteen Colonies, and the frontiers of British India. Throughout its existence, the regiment was known for its resilience, particularly during the grueling Peninsular War and the brutal First Anglo-Afghan War.

Formation and early service

The regiment was first raised in Lichfield by Colonel Sir John Guise in 1705 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Its initial service was in the Spanish Netherlands, where it fought at the Battle of Almenar and the Battle of Saragossa in 1710. After the Treaty of Utrecht, it performed garrison duties in Ireland and Minorca. During the Seven Years' War, the 38th was deployed to the West Indies, participating in the Capture of Guadeloupe in 1759. It then transferred to the American theater, fighting in campaigns such as the Battle of Belle Île and the Battle of Havana.

Napoleonic Wars

The regiment was heavily committed during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It served under the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War, distinguishing itself at the Battle of Albuera in 1811, where it suffered severe casualties while helping to hold a critical ridge against repeated French assaults. The 38th also fought at the Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos and the Siege of Badajoz. Following Napoleon's exile to Elba, the regiment was sent to North America for the final stages of the War of 1812.

Victorian era and amalgamation

Following the Congress of Vienna, the 38th Foot saw extensive imperial service. It was stationed in India for nearly two decades, where it fought in the First Anglo-Afghan War, enduring the disastrous Retreat from Kabul in 1842. Later, during the Crimean War, it was part of the British expedition to the Crimea and fought at the Siege of Sevastopol. In 1872, the regiment was linked administratively with the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) as part of preliminary reforms. Under the sweeping Cardwell Reforms, it was formally amalgamated with the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) in 1881 to form The South Staffordshire Regiment.

Battle honours

The regiment earned numerous battle honours for its service, many of which were borne on the colours of its successor regiment. These included honours from the Peninsular War such as Albuera and Badajoz, as well as Guadeloupe, Havana, Afghanistan, and Sevastopol. The selection of these honours commemorates its pivotal actions across two centuries of conflict, from colonial expeditions to large-scale European wars.

Colonels of the Regiment

The colonels of the regiment were: * 1705–1732: Col. Sir John Guise * 1732–1737: Lt-Gen. Thomas Wentworth * 1737–1743: Lt-Gen. Sir James Campbell * 1743–1745: Maj-Gen. William Graham * 1745–1752: Lt-Gen. Philip Honeywood * 1752–1755: F.M. Lord George Beauclerk * 1755–1775: Gen. John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave * 1775–1806: Gen. Sir William Medows * 1806–1816: Gen. Sir James Henry Craig * 1816–1843: Gen. Sir John Hamilton * 1843–1860: Gen. Sir John Wilson * 1860–1868: Gen. Sir John Hearsey * 1868–1881: Gen. Sir William Wyllie

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1705 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1881