The British Army decided to increase the number of regiments in 1741 in response to the start of the War of the Austrian Succession 1740-1748.

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Ten regiments of marines and seven regular line regiments were raised, numbered from the 54th to the 60th. Thomas Fowke was appointed Colonel to the first of these (the 54th), but in August 1741 Fowke was removed to the 2nd Foot and was succeeded by Colonel William Graham.

 

The War of the Austrian succession 1740 - 48

For the whole duration, the 54th was employed in the protection of the island of Minorca. It consisted of ten companies of seventy men each. In October 1748, at the conclusion of the war, several corps were disbanded and the 54th were renumbered to the 43rd Regiment of Foot.  They left Minorca and were stationed in Ireland (Cork and Galway)

 

The Seven Years’ War started in May 1756 - a global conflict as a result of various trading and territorial disputes primarily between Britain and the Bourbons in France and Spain and this is a general term for a range of wars which developed from Europe to the Americas and from Africa to India.  Within this 'Seven Years' War' period was the ongoing conflict in North America which became the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Third Carnatic War (India 1757-1763). 

 

The French and Indian War in North America 1754-1763 was a result of rivalry between Britain and France, leading to war when George Washington led the Virginian Militia in an attempt to remove the French from Ohio. The 43rd arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in June 1757 and spent most of the next 2 years on garrison duty.

Under the British commander, General Wolfe, the 43rd were part of the campaign to capture Canada from the French. The 43rd was among the five regiments in the front line as Wolfe’s army was drawn up at dawn – the fall of Quebec on 13th September 1759 secured Canada for Britain, though Wolfe was mortally wounded.

 

The 43rd were part of one of the bloodiest battles on Canadian soil in the French attempt to retake Quebec (Battle of Sainte-Foy 1760)

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The West Indies 1756-1763

French occupied Martinque was frequently fought over and was invaded by Britain in 1762 – which included the 43rd regiment. Under the Treaty of Paris (which ended the Seven Years’ War in 1763), Martinque was returned to the French.

The 43rd were part of the British forces which captured Havannah, Cuba in August 1762 – a key Spanish naval base in the Caribbean.

 

The American War of Independence (known as the Revolutionary War in the USA) 1775-1783

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On their return from the West Indies, the 43rd were mainly based in Ireland and Scotland, and from both of these places picked up more recruits.  In response to the troubled situation in Boston, MA (the Boston Tea Party took place in December  1773) the 43rd of Foot left Portsmouth, England for America in June, 1774 as the first of ten regiments sent over. Britain’s 13 colonies in North America fought for their independence and won - General Burgoyne surrendered after the second Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 and General Cornwallis surrendered Yorktown in October 1781.  The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, recognizing US independence.  The 43rd Regiment were involved in many campaigns, including the following well known encounters:

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April 1775 Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts

June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts

September 1776 the campaign to capture New York and to control the Hudson River under General Howe

September 1777 Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania (British defeated George Washington’s army)

October 1781 Yorktown, Virginia under Cornwallis

 

A glimpse into the future!

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In 1782 County names were added to the regimental number, and the 43rd Regiment became 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot.

In 1803 the 43rd, the 52nd and 95th Rifles became the first corps of Light Infantry and the regiment was re-titled the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)

They later (July 1881) amalgamated with the 52nd Regiment with whom they had closely fought alongside during the AWI, and became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry (which became the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1908 -  known fondly as the Ox and Bucks).

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We have put together a reading list to inspire anyone interested in the American War of Independence.

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The British Library is a good place to start if you want to find more detailed information, including a good timeline of events:

https://www.bl.uk/the-american-revolution/articles/american-revolution-timeline

 

For a great introduction to the American War of Independence and for a clear overview of the progression of this war we recommend watching the video below.

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