Museum Display Information
American Wars
In the latter part of the 18th century a number of campaigns took the
King's Own to the lands of North America. The Regiment was present in
both the Anglo-French wars of 1758 and the War of Independence in the
United States.
The first involvement was when conflict in Europe spread to North
America with the French threatening British colonists. The 1st Battalion
of the King's Own sailed to the West Indies in 1758.
The voyage across the Atlantic was uncomfortable - the soldiers were
tightly packed in the transport ships and suffered from poor
ventilation. They were fed on weevil-riddled biscuit and tough salt pork
- with a strictly limited amount of water. Widespread seasickness made
the journey even more unpleasant.
When the King's Own landed at Barbados few of the men would believe it
was 3rd January as the conditions were very hot and the sun blazed down
from high above.
For the next six years the Regiment remained in the West Indies and were
present at the capture of a number of the islands held by the Spanish
and the French. Many of the islands were very important for trade, rum
and sugar were valuable commodities.
Many more soldiers of the Regiment lost their lives to the tropical
diseases than they did to the enemy in the West Indies. Yellow fever was
an airborne virus found only tropical climates and it claimed many
lives.
The Rewards of Battle
Prize money was often distributed amongst the Regiments after a
successful action. Following the successful raid on Havana in 1762 a
considerable sum of money was distributed to all those who took part:
Field Officer £564
Captain £184 4 s 7½ d
Subaltern £116 3s ¼ d
Sergeants £8 18s 8d
Corporals £6 16s 6 d
Privates £4 1 s 8½ d
The American War of Independence
In 1774 the Regiment returned to North America to take part in the
first actions of the American War of Independence.
Conflict was growing between the British settlers and the Government in
London. Laws affecting trade upset the Americans and smuggling upset the
British.
Tension grew and British troops, including the King's Own were sent to
keep the peace. In April 1774 the King's Own landed at Boston. One year
later on 18th April were involved in their first action with the
expedition to Concord to remove the weapons and ammunition held in that
town by the Americans.
Between April 1775 and March 1776 the King's Own were part of the force
which defended Boston from American attack. They were present at the
principal action, the Battle of Bunker Hill, on 17th June 1775.
Just over a year later, on 4th July 1776 Independence was declared by
the American leader, George Washington. Within a short time independence
was confirmed in every state. The Militia was called out and
fortifications were constructed. The revolt had spread to every state.
The King's Own were present at the following actions:
| June - July 1776 Attack on Charleston, South Carolina |
| 26 August 1776 Battle of Long Island |
| 24 October 1776 Skirmish at Pell's Point |
| 28 October 1776 Battle of White Plains |
| 16 November 1776 Capture of Fort Washington |
| 18 November 1776 Capture of Fort Lee |
| 26 April 1777 Raid on Danbury |
| 11 September 1777 Battle of Brandywine |
| 4 October 1777 Battle of Germantown |
| December 1777 Skirmishes at Chestnut Hill and Edge Hill |
| 28 June 1778 Battle of Monmouth Court |
In 1777 the French Government entered the war on the side of the
Americans. Their aim was to regain the islands the British had taken
from them in the West Indies. To protect the West Indies a force of 5000
men, including the King's Own, left America under Major General Grant in
November 1778.
The King's Own took part in the the Capture of St. Lucia in December
1778 and the Battle of Grenada on 6th July 1778.
The King's Own remained in the West Indies until 1780. They then spent
seven years in Ireland before returning to America for ten years'
garrison duty in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec in Canada.
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