79th Regiment of Foot - Line Arty Skirms and Cavalry (Changed name from 83rd)

New TS 37.187.88.24:9988

History

The 83rd was raised in 1793 by William Fitch, their colonel, in and around Dublin, for service in the French Revolutionary Wars.

Their first service was overseas, seeing action and garrison duty in the West Indies between 1795 and 1798. Following this they were returned to Europe, and fought under Wellington in the Peninsular campaign. In this they saw action at Talavera, Busaco, Badajoz and Salamanca. In 1815 they again served under Wellington in the Waterloo campaign, which saw the final defeat of Napoleon.

The 83rd was stationed in Canada from 1834 to 1843. During this time the 83rd was posted in Halifax 1834 through 1837, Quebec 1837, Montreal 1837, Kingston 1838 through 1843, and Quebec 1843. During this period the 83rd supplied detachments to London, St Thomas, and Amherstburg. The primary role of the 83rd while in Lower and Upper Canada was to maintain order during the Rebellion of 1837, and to repel invaders from the United States. A key engagement with rebels and invaders took place at the Battle of the Windmill 1838.

In the post-war colonial period the 83rd were stationed in India, and were engaged in the Sepoy rebellion of 1857.