The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:58 am Post subject: Regiments renamed in 1881

I know the regiments were all renamed in 1881, but does anyone know when in 1881?

The national census was conducted in April 1881, and I'm curious to know if this was before or after the regiments were renamed.

On looking at some census returns it appears the regiments are still in their "numbered" form, although there are references to "71st HLI" - was it a gradual renaming process or did they go from being numbered one day to their new name the next?

I have looked on Google, and found nothing specific.

apanderson · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject:

According to Wiki - 'Childers Reforms' came into effect on 1st July 1881.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childers_Reforms

"The Childers Reforms restructured the infantry regiments of the British army. The reforms were undertaken by Secretary of State for War Hugh Childers in 1881, and were a continuation of the earlier Cardwell reforms.

The reorganisation was brought into effect by General Order 41/1881, issued on 1 May 1881, amended by G.O. 70/1881 dated 1 July, which created a network of multi-battalion regiments. In England, Wales and Scotland, each regiment was to have two regular or "line" battalions and two militia battalions. In Ireland, there were to be two line and three militia battalions. This was done by renaming the numbered regiments of foot and county militia regiments. In addition the various corps of rifle volunteers were to be designated as volunteer battalions. Each of these regiments was linked by headquarters location and territorial name to its "Regimental District". The reforms came into effect on 1 July.

From 1881 regimental seniority numbers were officially abolished and battalions came to be known by their number within the regiment and the regimental district name. Unofficially, the regiments were still referred to by their numbers by their officers and men, as tradition and a point of pride, and several regiments such as "The Buffs", The Cameron Highlanders, and "The Black Watch", lobbied to keep their distinct names as part of their battalion titles.

In practice, it was not always possible to apply the scheme strictly: the Cameron Highlanders initially had only one regular battalion, while several regiments had more or fewer militia regiments than envisaged in the initial scheme. In addition, the Rifle Brigade and King's Royal Rifle Corps had no regimental districts, and their affiliated militia and volunteer battalions were selected not on a territorial basis, but due to their "rifle" traditions. This structure lasted until 1948, when every regiment of line infantry had its regular battalions cut to one, with only the three original Guards Division regiments retaining two regular battalions."

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Light_Infantry

"Regular battalions
On July 1, 1881 the 71st and 74th Regiments of Foot were redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Highland Light Infantry respectively. Following the independence of India, all infantry regiments were reduced to a single regular battalion in 1948. The 1st and 2nd Battalions were merged in Glasgow on September 23 to become the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry (71st/74th Foot)."

Maybe they had a sneaky preview and decided to take their new title earlier?? Confused

Anne