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Known as the '''York and Lancaster Regiment'''.
== Chronology ==
*'''1759''' raised as the 84th Regiment of Foot
{{Template:Origin|text=The History and Regimental Details sections below form 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. These sections were part of the Family History in India website, which was designed to help people trace their British and European ancestry in colonial India by Cathy Day. Cathy has kindly allowed us to transfer this page to our wiki.}}
== History==
==== The Raising of the Regiment ====
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, in India]].
==== The Royal Highland Emigrants ====
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.
==== Revolutionary France ====
A third and final raising of the 84th took place on 2nd November, 1793, by Lt. Col. George Bernard. It served in the ill-fated first Walcheren Expedition of 1794 and later moved to the Cape of Good Hope (1796) and India (1799). The 2nd Battalion of the 84th was involved in a second Walcheren campaign (1809) and the Peninsular War (1812-14). It was here that the first of the Regiment's medals were gained at the battles of Nive and Nivelle. The Army Gold Medals of Lt. Col. R. Lloyd (Col. of the 2nd 84th) and Major J. Tonson are both preserved in the Rotherham collection.
==== India - First Decades 19th Century ====
In October 1798 the 84th sailed from the Cape of Good Hope to India. A detachment, which had occupied Isle of Perim, Red Sea in April 1799, rejoined the Regiment in Goa in March 1802. Local operations moved to Bombay in 1807.
On 28th May 1819 six companies embarked on the Albert from [[Madras]]; on 26th June the HQ and four companies on the Lady Nugent (Capts. Prendergast and Burns repectively.) Alfred arrived Portsmouth 9 November 1819 and Lady Nugent on 29 November. On 6 December the Regiment embarked for Ireland and arrived at the Cove of Cork.
==== The Indian Mutiny ====
On return from India in 1819 the 84th absorbed its 2nd Battalion and in 1827 went to Jamaica where it helped quell slave riots. Having returned home in 1839 the 84th moved to Burma in 1842 and once more to India in 1845. At the outbreak of the [[Indian Mutiny]] on 10th May 1857 the 84th became heavily involved. Of the sixty strong detachment at [[Cawnpore]] only one man survived and the main contingent was committed to the defence, relief and recapture of [[Lucknow]]. No less than six Victoria Crosses were awarded for these actions, four of which are now in the Rotherham collection. The 84th was saluted from the battery of [[Fort William]] upon leaving [[Calcutta]] in 1859 (one of only two regiments to be so honoured) after seventeen years in India. On return to England, the 84th received an address of welcome from the Mayor of Sheffield and the men were presented with penknives from the Cutlers' Company. The next twenty three years were relatively calm for the 84th, serving in Ireland, Canada and the Channel Islands.
==== Egypt and Warren Hastings ====
In the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, the 84th (now the 2nd Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment) as part of General Graham's Brigade, was present at the battle of Tel- el- Kebir. Casualties were confined to twelve non- commissioned officers and men wounded. After service in Bermuda, Nova Scotia, South Africa and India, the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Limerick in July, 1912. It was during movement from South Africa to India in 1897 that the 2nd Battalion lost many treasured possessions when the troopship Warren Hastings foundered off the Island of Reunion. Of the 1,246 persons on board no loss of life occurred which says much for the calm and orderly manner in which the survivors were brought ashore. Lloyds and the Royal Humane Society silver medals awarded to the Battalion in connection with the event.
The York and Lancaster Regiment was disbanded in December 1968, and the Colours laid up in the Regimental Chapel of Sheffield Cathedral. Memorabilia are housed in Regimental Museum of the York and Lancaster Regiment in the Central Library and Arts Centre, Walker Place, Rotherham, S65 1JH.
== Regimental Details ==
==== Recruiting====
"The Regiment has recruited from South Yorkshire and has close connections with the area for well over a hundred years. There can be few families with their roots in South Yorkshire who do not have a relative who served with the York and Lancaster. The Regiment is delighted that Rotherham have agreed to take custody of our historic collection, and that so much care and thought has been put into the display. It is a display which represents over two hundred years of service, involving tens of thousands of Yorkshiremen. I suggest you keep in mind as you walk around the collection that what you see can never tell the full story. The great achievements are reflected but, over the years, there were a vast number of instances of great endeavour, sacrifice and bravery which were never recorded or rewarded with medals - so many unsung heroes."
==== Regimental Medals ====
Battles: Mauritius, 1811 [[Kurnool]], 1817 Pindari (2 Coys) Mahratta.
==== Nicknames ====
The Cork and Doncaster (do.)
==== Uniform ====
Scarlet - facings yellow.
==== Regimental March ====
Lucknow
==== Officers of the 84th ====
Officers of the 84th are listed in Roll of Officers (84th) York and Lancaster Regiment, Raikes and Key, William Clowes and Sons 1910. Know also as 'Raikes' Roll', this roll is compiled by Major G.A. Raikes F.S.A., revised by Captain R.E. Key 1885. The book includes a record of officers services, including dates of commissions to which is added the Officers Medal roll for the Peninsular War and short account of the colours used by the battalion for 1759 - 1810.
==== Postings/Stations ====
Joined 1st Battalion at Dover Dec. 6,1818
== External Links ==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84th_Regiment_of_Foot_(Royal_Highland_Emigrants) Royal Highland Emigrants] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84th_Regiment_of_Foot 84th Regiment of Foot] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_and_Lancaster_Regiment York & Lancaster Regiment] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion,_York_and_Lancaster_Regiment 2nd battalion York and Lancaster Regiment] Wikipedia
[[Category:British Army Infantry Regiments]]
