43rd Regiment of Foot

43rd Regiment of Foot
Historical records of the 43rd Foot · Public domain · source
Unit name	43rd Regiment of Foot
Caption	Logo of the British Army
Dates	1741-1881
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Line infantry
Size	One battalion
Garrison	Warley Barracks and Colchester
Motto	"Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense"
Colors	Blue facings
March	"The British Grenadiers"
Anniversaries	Battle of Waterloo and Battle of Talavera

43rd Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1741 to 1881. The regiment was raised in 1741 as Thomas Fowke's Regiment of Foot and was later designated as the 43rd Regiment of Foot in 1751. The regiment saw action in several conflicts, including the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the Napoleonic Wars. The regiment was also involved in the American Revolutionary War, fighting against the Continental Army led by George Washington at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Long Island.

● History

The 43rd Regiment of Foot was raised in 1741 by Thomas Fowke and was initially composed of soldiers from the West Country of England. The regiment was first deployed to Flanders during the War of the Austrian Succession, where it fought at the Battle of Fontenoy alongside the Duke of Cumberland and the Prince of Waldeck. The regiment later saw action in the Seven Years' War, fighting at the Battle of Minden and the Battle of Warburg under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. The regiment was also involved in the American Revolutionary War, fighting against the Continental Army led by George Washington at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Long Island. The regiment was later deployed to the West Indies, where it fought against the French Army at the Battle of Martinique and the Battle of Guadeloupe.

● Regimental Structure

The 43rd Regiment of Foot was a single-battalion regiment that was composed of ten companies of infantry. The regiment was commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel and was divided into two wings, each consisting of five companies. The regiment was equipped with Brown Bess muskets and bayonets, and was trained in the use of artillery and engineering. The regiment was also supported by a detachment of Royal Artillery and a company of Royal Engineers. The regiment was garrisoned at Warley Barracks and Colchester, and was part of the British Army's Home Service.

● Battles and Campaigns

The 43rd Regiment of Foot saw action in several conflicts, including the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the Napoleonic Wars. The regiment fought at the Battle of Fontenoy alongside the Duke of Cumberland and the Prince of Waldeck, and later saw action at the Battle of Minden and the Battle of Warburg under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. The regiment was also involved in the American Revolutionary War, fighting against the Continental Army led by George Washington at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Long Island. The regiment later fought at the Battle of Talavera and the Battle of Waterloo under the command of the Duke of Wellington and the Prince of Orange. The regiment also saw action in the Crimean War, fighting at the Battle of Alma and the Battle of Inkerman alongside the French Army and the Ottoman Empire.

● Uniform and Equipment

The 43rd Regiment of Foot wore a uniform consisting of a red coat with blue facings, white waistcoat, and blue breeches. The regiment's uniform was adorned with gold lace and buttons, and the soldiers wore a shako hat with a blue plume. The regiment was equipped with Brown Bess muskets and bayonets, and was trained in the use of artillery and engineering. The regiment also used drums and bugles for communication and signaling. The regiment's uniform and equipment were similar to those of other line infantry regiments of the British Army, such as the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

● Notable Commanders

The 43rd Regiment of Foot had several notable commanders, including Thomas Fowke, who raised the regiment in 1741, and John Stuart, who commanded the regiment during the American Revolutionary War. The regiment was also commanded by Sir Arthur Wellesley, who later became the Duke of Wellington and led the regiment to victory at the Battle of Talavera and the Battle of Waterloo. Other notable commanders of the regiment included Sir John Moore, who commanded the regiment during the Napoleonic Wars, and Sir Harry Smith, who commanded the regiment during the Crimean War. The regiment was also associated with several notable figures, including Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene of Savoy, and King George III.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army