30th Foot
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Contents
Origin and History
The unit was raised in February 1702 as a regiment of the “1st Regiment of Marines” under the command of Thomas Saunderson.
In 1714, the regiment was converted to a line infantry unit.
From its creation to 1751, the regiment was also known by the name of its successive colonels.
On July 1 1751, when a Royal warrant reorganised the British infantry, the regiment was designated as the "30th Regiment of Foot".
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:
- from ??? to ??? (at least in the summer of 1758) John Campbell, earl of Loudon
Service during the War
In September 1757, the regiment was stationed on the Isle of Wight and embarked aboard the fleet and took part in the unsuccessful and wasteful raid on Rochefort.
In May 1758, the regiment was at the Isle of Wight in preparation for a raid on the French Coasts. It then embarked on the fleet and took part in the first expedition from June 1 to July 1. It also took part in a second expedition on the French Coasts from August to September of the same year. Its grenadiers suffered heavy losses during the re-embarkment at Saint-Cast.
As of May 30 1759, the regiment was stationed in England and counted 1 battalion for a total of 900 men.
In 1761, the regiment took part in the expedition against Belle-Isle. This French island was besieged and captured.
Uniform
Privates
Headgear |
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Neckstock | white | ||||||||||||
Coat | brick red lined pale yellow and laced white (unknown pattern) with 3 buttonholes under the lapels (same lace as above)
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Waistcoat | brick red laced white (same lace as above) | ||||||||||||
Breeches | brick red | ||||||||||||
Gaiters | white with black buttons brown, grey or black during campaigns (black after 1759) | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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Troopers were armed with with a "Brown Bess" muskets, a bayonet and a sword. They also carried a dark brown haversack with a metal canteen on the left hip.
Officers
Officers of the regiment wore the same uniforms as the private soldiers but with the following differences
- silver gorget around the neck
- an aiguilette on the right shoulder
- silver lace instead of normal lace
- a crimson sash
Officers wore the same headgear as the private soldiers under their command; however, officers of the grenadier company wore a more decorated mitre cap.
Officers generally carried a spontoon, however, in battle some carried muskets instead.
Musicians
According to the Royal Clothing Warrant of 1751:
- The drummers of the regiment were clothed in pale yellow, lined, faced, and lapelled on the breast with red, and laced in such manner as the colonel shall think fit for distinction sake, the lace, however, was of the colours of that on the soldiers' coats.
- The front or forepart of the drums were painted pale yellow, with the king's cypher and crown, and the number “XXX” under it. The rims were red.
Colours
King's Colour: Union with its centre decorated with a rose and thistle wreath surrounding the rank of the regiment "XXX" in gold Roman numerals.
Regimental Colour: pale yellow field with its centre decorated with a rose and thistle on the same stalk surrounding the rank of the regiment "XXX" in gold Roman numerals. The Union in the upper left corner.
![]() King's Colour - Source: PMPdeL |
![]() Regimental Colour - Source: PMPdeL |
References
Fortescue, J. W., A History of the British Army Vol. II, MacMillan, London, 1899
Funcken, Liliane and Fred, Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle
George II, The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1751
Lawson, Cecil C. P., A History of the Uniforms of the British Army - from the Beginnings to 1760, vol. II, p. 90-103
Mills, T. F., Land Forces of Britain the Empire and Commonwealth
Morier, David, Paintings of the British Grenadiers in 1751
Wikipedia - 30th Foot
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.