The 81st Regiment (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers)
The 81st Foot was raised in Lincoln in 1793 on the outbreak of war with revolutionary France as the Loyal Lincoln Volunteers.
In 1794, it became the 81st Regiment of Foot.
In 1833, it incorporated Loyal Lincoln Volunteers in its title as most of its recruits had come from the Lincolnshire militia.
On 1 July 1881, the 81st amalgamated with the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot to form the Second Battalion of The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
In 1920, the Loyal North Lancashire became The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).
On 25 March 1970 The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) merged with The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) to form The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
The 81st Regiment
1805 1st/81st Foot (Johnson's Regiment)
1 July 1805 The 81st Regiment of Foot arrived from England as part of Sir James Craig's expedition to secure Sicily.
1 July 1805 Regimental Strength:
| Present (Offs & WOs) |
Absent (Offs & WOs) |
NCOs | Fit for Duty (R&F) |
Sick (R&F) |
Total (Offs and Men) |
Establishment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 6 | 66 | 785 | 20 | 906 | 907 |
| Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st July 1805. 1st/81st (Johnson's) | ||||||
13 Aug 1805 On 13 August Sir James Craig said of the regiment:
The 81st is the worst body of men of the four regiments (i.e. 39th, 44th 58th and 61st), but by far the most perfect in their movements. Any regiment in Lieutenant Colonel James Kempt's hands must be in good order.1
When it came to decide between the 81st or the 58th for inclusion in the expedition to Sicily, Craig:
hesitated for some time between the 58th and 81st. The latter was certainly in higher order, and in that respect more fit for service, but the 58th as a body of men, was much more likely to stand the service, and it was 100 men stronger. I therefore told them that if I saw that they exerted themselves to get into the order that is necessary, they should accompany us, but that if they did not succeed in it, I must at last turn to the 81st upon this footing it now stands, and to do them justice they seem to have every anxiety that they may not be left behind.1
30 Sep 1805 Pte William Williams was stabbed and killed by Giovanni Vassallo following an argument about non payment for wine.
1806 1st/81st Foot (Johnson's Regiment)
4 Apr 1806 The 81st embarked for Sicily. On 4 July 1806 it fought in Southern Italy under Sir John Stuart at the Battle of Maida.
1 July 1806 Strength: 32 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 66 NCOs, 733 rank and file fit for duty, 53 rank and file sick, 884 total officers and men, 907 establishment.
Bibliography
- Farmer J. S., 1984. The regimental records of the British Army Reprint Edition, Trowbridge, Wiltshire: Crecy Books.
- Edwards T. J., 1980. Regimental Badges First Edition, Tonbridge, Kent: Ernest Benn Ltd.
- 1TNA:WO 1/293. Craig to W Gordon dated Malta 13 August 1805.