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== Introduction ==

This page was part of the Family History in India website, which is designed to help people trace their British and European ancestry in colonial India by Cathy Day. Cathy kindly allowed us to transfer this page to our wiki. This particular webpage is a history of H.M. 84th Regiment of Foot (York and Lancaster Regiment), extracted by Peter Brown from ''The York and Lancaster Regimental Museum - Guide & Short History'' published by the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Department of Libraries, Museums and Arts, and from other sources.

From inception, the 84th Regiment of Foot has had close connections with India. The first raising of the 84th on the 13th January, 1759 was a result of requests made by the East India Company for extra military support. The Regiment arrived in Madras in 1759 where it was immediately committed to the Mysore War, fighting at Wandewash, the sieges of Arcot and Pondicherry, and the capture of the rock fortress of Permacoil. Under Major Thomas Adams, the 84th, alongside other British and native troops, took part in campaigns which, although little known today are said to have been among the most impressive achievements in terms of military success against an enemy that was vastly superior in numbers. The 84th was disbanded in December, 1763 after which many officers and men transferred to service with the East India Company. On display in the York and Lancaster Regimental Musuem in Rotherham is a fine oval miniature of Eyre Coote, first colonel of the 84th and later Commander-in-Chief, India.

At the beginning of the American War of Independence, the 84th Foot was raised for a second time on 13th June, 1775, when Lt. Colonel Allan Maclean was commissioned to raise two battalions in Canada, known first as the Royal Highland Emigrants. This new regiment drew its recruits from Scottish settlers, many of whom were former soldiers. They wore full Highland dress similar to that of the 42nd Highlanders, the Black Watch Regiment, with purses of raccoon. The 1st Battalion remained in Canada notably in the defence of Quebec while detachments of the 2nd Battalion saw service in Virginia and South Carolina, taking part in the Battle of Eutaw Springs and the British surrender at Yorktown. The Regiment was again disbanded at the cessations of hostilities in 1783. The Royal Highland Emigrants' banner, despite being over two hundred years old, on display in Rotherham, is extremely well preserved.

Joined 1st Battalion at Dover Dec. 6,1818

[[Category:British Army Infantry Regiments]]