Militia (Great Britain)

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Members of the Norfolk Militia undergoing musket training in 1759 Norfolk Miliita musket training Mousehold Heath.jpg
Members of the Norfolk Militia undergoing musket training in 1759

The British Militia was the principal military reserve force of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Militia units were repeatedly raised in Great Britain during the Georgian era for internal security duties and to defend against external invasions. The Militia Act 1757, passed by the Parliament of Great Britain after the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, led to the rapid expansion of the British Militia in order to defend from potential French invasions. In the Kingdom of Ireland, a client state of Great Britain, the equivalent force was the Irish Militia, which saw heavy service in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 alongside British militia units. The existence of militia units in Great Britain and Ireland played an important role in freeing regular troops from the British and Irish establishments for overseas service.

Contents

Background

Following the restoration of Charles II in 1660, Parliament passed several acts empowering the lord-lieutenant of each county to appoint officers and raise men for the English Militia. Although the king commanded the forces, they were not centrally funded. The burden of supplying men and equipment fell on property owners, in proportion to their income from land or their property value. The militia could be called out for local police actions, to keep the peace, and in the event of a national emergency. It played a role in coastal defence during the second and third Anglo-Dutch Wars between 1665 and 1674, and contributed to the defeat of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685.

Great Britain

An officer of the Norfolk Militia in 1759 Norfolk Militia Officer.jpg
An officer of the Norfolk Militia in 1759

The militia's usefulness as a military force, never great, declined thereafter, until by the middle of the 18th century it required a major overhaul. This was achieved by the Militia Acts 1757–1762, passed as a response to the threat of a French invasion during the Seven Years' War. Responsibility for raising and organising the force remained at county level, but funding was provided by central government. Officers were to be appointed from among the property-owning class. Men were to be chosen by ballot among the able-bodied men of the parish between the ages of 18 and 50, and would serve for three years (soon extended to five). If they wished not to serve, they could either provide a substitute or pay a £10 fine. [1]

There was considerable opposition to the reforms, both in Parliament and in the country at large. Riots occurred in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and elsewhere in 1757. These stemmed chiefly from an ill-informed fear that conscription and compulsory foreign service were being covertly introduced. In fact, the acts, which applied in England and Wales only, restricted service to the territory of Great Britain. However some militia regiments did volunteer for service in Ireland during the Rebellion of 1798. Local opposition to the acts resulted in some counties being slow to implement them. Six counties – Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Sussex and Worcestershire – were in default for many years, also defaulting on a large part of the fines imposed on them in consequence. The American Revolution, which drained the country of regular troops, provided the stimulus that brought the defaulters into line. By 1778 all English and Welsh counties had embodied their militias. [2]

Training of the disembodied militia took place over a period of several weeks each year, outside which officers and men would be largely free to pursue their civilian lives. When embodied, regiments would normally be quartered in public houses or barracks where available. Camps were also an option, and these were often sizeable affairs which brought troops together in large numbers for strategic and training purposes. Although overseas service was excluded from the militia's duties, embodied regiments were usually required to serve away from their home counties, and were frequently moved from one station to another. This was intended to reduce the risk of the men sympathising with the populace if they were required to quell civil unrest. Pay and conditions were similar to those of the regular army, with the additional benefit of money for family dependants. Unlike the army, the militia had no cavalry or, until 1853, artillery.

The militia was constitutionally separate from the army, but from the 1790s militiamen were encouraged to volunteer for the army, and did so in large numbers. During the French Revolutionary Wars the militia expanded to a total strength of 82,000 men in February 1799, reducing to 66,000 through an act of Parliament[ which? ] of that year designed to reinforce the regular army by encouraging militia volunteers through the offer of bounties for enlistment. [3] In 1802 peace with France led to the disembodying of the militia, which was embodied again in 1803, when hostilities resumed. Britain's increasing overseas troop commitments during the Napoleonic Wars resulted in growing pressure on recruitment for the militia, both for home defence and as a feeder for the army. During the period to 1815, 110,000 men transferred to line regiments as against 36,000 prior to 1802. [4] The militia continued to serve as a coastal defence force, as well as guarding dockyards and prisoners of war, and performing other duties including riot control during the Luddite unrest of 1811–1813. It was disembodied in 1815 but balloting continued until 1831. [5]

List of militia regiments

An incomplete list includes:

Further reading

Scottish Militia

John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll 4thDukeOfArgyll.jpg
John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll

In the late 17th century, while the Kingdom of Scotland was still an independent country sharing a monarch with England, there were calls for the resurrection of the country's militia, with the understated aim of protecting the rights of Scots in Great Britain. [6] A historical account of the debate which followed on Fletcher's work is given in John Robertson's 1985 The Scottish Enlightenment and the Militia Issue. [7]

During the Jacobite rising of 1745 in Scotland, militias were raised in Argyll, the Isle of Skye and the northern counties. They are often confused with Loudon's Highlanders regiment and the Independent Highland Companies who also supported the Government. [8] The Campbell of Argyll Militia also known as the Campbell militia, [9] the Argyll militia, [10] or the Argyllshire men, [10] was an irregular militia unit formed in 1745 by John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll to oppose the rising. [11] [12]

Following the merger of Scotland into the new Kingdom of Great Britain, the British Militia Act 1757 did not apply in Scotland. There the traditional system continued, so that militia regiments existed in some places and not in others. This was resented by some, and the Militia Club, soon to become the Poker Club, was formed in Edinburgh to promote the raising of a Scottish militia. This and several other Edinburgh clubs became the crucible of the Scottish Enlightenment.

The Militia Act 1797 empowered the Lord Lieutenants of Scotland to raise and command militia regiments in each of the "Counties, Stewartries, Cities, and Places" under their jurisdiction. At first the Act was opposed due to some believing the militia ballot would be used to enable the Crown to remove men from Scotland. [13]

Irish militia

The earliest history of the Militia in Ireland dates to the Cromwellian period with the raising of two regiments of Militia in Dublin in May 1659. [14] However the legal position of the pre-existing Militia in Ireland was only formalised when the Parliament of Ireland passed an act in 1715 [15] raising regiments of militia in each county and county corporate. Membership was restricted to Protestants between the ages of sixteen and sixty. In 1793, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Irish militia were reorganized to form thirty-eight county and city regiments. While officers of the reorganized force were all Protestants, membership of the other ranks was now opened up to members of all denominations, including Roman Catholics. The provisions of the Act called for lists to be drawn up of eligible men in each locality and with enlistees been drawn by ballot. The result of this was to cause widespread discontent in Ireland resulting in riots and close to 230 deaths over an eight week period. [16]

List of militia regiments

The list of Militia regiments as raised after the passing of the 1793 Act. The regimental numbers were assigned by ballot on the 8th of August 1794. [17]

Further reading

Channel Islands

See also

Related Research Articles

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The plan of raising a fencible corps in the Highlands was first proposed and carried into effect by William Pitt the Elder, in the year 1759. During the three preceding years, both the fleets and armies of Great Britain had suffered reverses, and it was thought that a "home guard" was necessary as a bulwark against invasion.

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The Lancashire Militia was an auxiliary military force in Lancashire in North West England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands in 1558 and their service in the Williamite War in Ireland and against the Jacobite Risings, the Militia regiments of Lancashire served during times of international tension and all of Britain's major wars. They provided internal security and home defence but sometimes operated further afield, including Ireland and the Mediterranean, relieving regular troops from routine garrison duties, and acting as a source of trained officers and men for the Regular Army. All the infantry battalions went on active service during the Second Boer War and all served as Special Reserve training units in World War I, with one battalion seeing considerable action on the Western Front. After 1921 the militia had only a shadowy existence until its final abolition in 1953.

The 'East Suffolk Militia was an auxiliary military unit in the English county of Suffolk in East Anglia. First organised as one of two regiments in the county during the Seven Years' War it served on internal security and home defence duties in all of Britain's major wars. It was converted to artillery in 1853 and continued in that role until its disbandment in 1909.

The Argyll & Bute Militia was a part-time military unit in the west of Scotland from 1798 to 1909, serving in Home Defence during the French Revolutionary War, Napoleonic Wars and Second Boer War. Originally an infantry regiment, it was converted into artillery in 1861.

The South Devon Militia was a part-time military unit in the maritime county of Devonshire in the West of England. The Militia had always been important in the county, which was vulnerable to invasion, and from its formal creation in 1758 the regiment served in home defence in all of Britain's major wars, later as a reserve battalion for the Devonshire Regiment. It was disbanded in 1908.

The Devon Militia was a part-time military force in the maritime county of Devonshire in the West of England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands in 1558 until their final service as a Special Reserve unit of the Devonshire Regiment in World War I, the Militia regiments of Devonshire served in home defence in all of Britain's major wars.

The Queen's Edinburgh Light Infantry Militia was an auxiliary regiment raised in and around the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. It was formed in 1798 and reformed in 1802, but had links with earlier Fencible and Volunteer units from the area. It served in home defence during the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War. Later it became a battalion of the Royal Scots and saw active service in South Africa during the Second Boer War. It served as a Special Reserve training unit in World War I, but after 1921 the militia had only a shadowy existence until its final abolition in 1953.

The Gloucestershire Militia was a part-time military force in the county of Gloucestershire in the West of England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands in 1558 until their final service as a Special Reserve unit of the Gloucestershire Regiment in World War I, the Militia regiments of the county served in home defence in all of Britain's major wars.

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The Carnarvonshire Militia, later the Royal Carnarvon Rifles, was an auxiliary regiment reorganised in the county of Caernarfonshire in North Wales during the 18th Century from earlier precursor units. Primarily intended for home defence, it served in Britain and Ireland through all Britain's major wars until it was disbanded in 1908.

The Cardiganshire Militia, later the Royal Cardigan Rifles, was an auxiliary regiment reorganised from earlier precursor units in the Welsh county of Cardiganshire during the 18th century. Primarily intended for home defence, it saw active service at the Battle of Fishguard in 1797 and served in Britain and Ireland through all Britain's major wars. It was converted into garrison artillery in 1877 and continued until it was disbanded in 1909.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Somerset Militia</span> Military unit

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The Merionethshire Militia, later the Royal Merioneth Rifles, was an auxiliary regiment reorganised from earlier precursor units in the Welsh county of Merionethshire during the 18th Century. Primarily intended for home defence, it served in Britain and Ireland through all Britain's major wars. After a series of shortlived mergers it was finally amalgamated into a militia battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers that was disbanded in 1908.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fermanagh Light Infantry Militia</span> Military unit

The Fermanagh Militia, later the Fermanagh Light Infantry, was an Irish militia regiment raised in 1793 for home defence and internal security during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It also served during the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. In 1881 it became a battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was embodied in the Second Boer War. During World War I, as part of the Special Reserve, it trained thousands of reinforcements for battalions of that regiment serving overseas. Postwar it retained a shadowy existence until it was formally disbanded in 1953.

References

  1. ↑ Western, J. R. The English militia in the eighteenth century. p.129
  2. ↑ Western, p.158.
  3. ↑ Western, p. 222.
  4. ↑ Knight, Roger. Britain against Napoleon. p.439.
  5. ↑ Knight, p.469.
  6. ↑ Andrew Fletcher (1698) A Discourse of Government with Relation to Militias, ISBN   0-521-43994-9
  7. ↑ Robertson, John (1985). The Scottish Enlightenment And The Militia Issue . Edinburgh: J. Donald. ISBN   978-0-85976-109-3. OCLC   13358513.
  8. ↑ MacLeod, Ruairidh (1984). Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness. Vol. LIII. p.  310 . Retrieved August 4, 2023. Wider research led me to discover confusion about the role of Lord Loudoun's new highland regiment, raised in 1745; the independent companies, raised for the duration of the rebellion, and the militia companies raised during the rebellion. There still remains work to be done on the role of the militia companies raised for short periods during the rebellion in Argyll, Skye and the northern counties
  9. ↑ Scobie, Ian Hamilton Mackay (1946). The Argyll or Campbell Militia of 1745–1746. Society for Army Historical Research.
  10. 1 2 Pollard, Tony (2009). Culloden: The History and Archaeology of the last Clan Battle. South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Books. p. 71. ISBN   978-1-84884-020-1.
  11. ↑ Fremont-Barnes, Gregory (2014). The Jacobite Rebellion 1745–46. Osprey Publishing. p. 27.
  12. ↑ McKerracher, Mairead (2013). Jacobite Dictionary. Neil Wilson Publishing.
  13. ↑ Scobie, Ian Hamilton Mackay (1914). An Old Highland Fencible Corps The History of the Reay Fencible Highland Regiment of Foot, or Mackay's Highlanders, 1794–1802, With an Account of Its Services in Ireland During the Rebellion of 1798. p. 3
  14. ↑ Garnham, Neal (2012). The Militia in Eighteenth-century Ireland: In Defence of the Protestant Interest. Boydell Press. ISBN   978-1-84383-724-4.
  15. ↑ "An Act to make the Militia of this Kingdom more useful. (2 Geo I c.9 (1715))". librarycollections.law.umn.edu. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  16. ↑ Bartlett, Thomas (1983). "AN END TO MORAL ECONOMY: THE IRISH MILITIA DISTURBANCES OF 1793". Past and Present. 99 (1): 41–64. doi:10.1093/past/99.1.41 . Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  17. ↑ Richey, Henry Alexander (1894). A Short History of the Royal Longford Militia, 1793-1893. Dublin, Ireland: Hodges, Figgis, and Company, limited. pp. 83–84. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
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