43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot

43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1741. It served with distinction for nearly 150 years, seeing extensive action across the globe from North America to India and becoming renowned as part of the elite Light Division during the Napoleonic Wars. The regiment was amalgamated into The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the 1881 Childers Reforms.

History

The regiment was first raised in 1741 by Colonel Thomas Fowke during the War of the Austrian Succession, initially seeing service as the 54th Regiment of Foot. It was renumbered the 43rd in 1748 following the disbandment of senior regiments. Its early service included the Seven Years' War, where it fought in the Raid on Cherbourg and the Battle of Warburg. During the American Revolutionary War, the 43rd was part of the expedition to Concord and suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Bunker Hill; it later fought at the Battle of Long Island and the Siege of Yorktown. The regiment's most celebrated period began under the training of General Sir John Moore at Shorncliffe Army Camp, where it was transformed into a elite light infantry unit. As a core component of the Light Division, the 43rd played a pivotal role throughout the Peninsular War, with notable actions at the Battle of Roliça, the Battle of Vimeiro, the Battle of Bussaco, the Siege of Badajoz (1812), and the Battle of Vitoria. It also served in the War of 1812, fighting at the Battle of New Orleans. Later Victorian-era service included the Crimean War, where it fought at the Battle of the Alma and the Siege of Sevastopol.

Battle honours

The regiment earned numerous battle honours reflecting its global service. Key honours for the Peninsular War include Roliça, Vimeiro, Talavera, Busaco, Albuera, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthez, and Toulouse. For later conflicts, it received honours for Alma, Inkerman, and Sevastopol from the Crimean War. The honour "New Orleans" was awarded for its service in the War of 1812, though it was not borne on the colours.

Colonels of the Regiment

Colonels of the regiment included its founder, Colonel Thomas Fowke (1741–1746). Later colonels were often distinguished generals, including General Sir William Harcourt (1795–1830), who commanded the regiment during its light infantry transformation and the Peninsular War. The final colonel was General Sir John Leslie (1865–1881), who oversaw the regiment's amalgamation.

Uniform and insignia

As a standard line infantry regiment, the 43rd originally wore the traditional red coat with buff facings. Upon its conversion to light infantry, it adopted the distinctive uniform of the Light Division, including the dark green jacket and black accoutrements associated with rifle regiments, though it remained a musket-armed unit. The regimental insignia featured the numeral "43" within a wreath, and later the Prince of Wales's feathers in recognition of its Monmouthshire association. Its buttons and badge often incorporated a light infantry bugle horn symbol.

Legacy and successor units

The regiment's legacy is defined by its elite status within the Light Division and its exemplary service under the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War. Under the 1881 Childers Reforms, it was linked with the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) to form The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. This lineage continued through further amalgamations into The Royal Green Jackets and ultimately into today's The Rifles, which perpetuates the light infantry traditions and many of the battle honours of the 43rd.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1741 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1881