The 47th Regiment of Foot

French and Indian War

Under the command of Peregrine Lascelles, in 1750 the regiment deployed to Nova Scotia, Canada and the following year it was numbered the 47th Regiment of Foot. The regiment served at both Fort Vieux Logis and Fort Edward. It participated in the Bay of Fundy Campaign (1755), Battle of Fort Beausejour and the Siege of Louisbourg (1758). The following year the 47th took part in the legendary Battle of Quebec which saw British forces, under the command of General James Wolfe, prevail again French forces in a battle that concluded a 3 month siege of Quebec. Wolfe was well respected by his men, to such an extent that to commemorate the death of Wolfe in the battle the 47th Regiment of Foot began wearing a black line in their lace and also gained the nickname "Wolfe's Own". In 1760 the 47th Regiment of Foot took part in the Battle of Sainte-Foy, a British defeat against the French during the British defence of Quebec though despite the defeat the British held onto it.

In 1763 the regiment returned home from its long deployment in North America with the conclusion of Britain's war with France.

American War of Independence

The 47th Regiment of Foot arrived in North America in 1773 in New Jersey, a colony of the Great Britain and which would be one of the "Thirteen Colonies" that would soon revolt against British rule. In late 1774 the regiment was deployed to Boston and the following year the regiment saw action against rebels at Lexington and Concord and in the Battle of Bunker Hill which saw a British victory but at heavy cost Gage's reports that for Lexington & Concord that the 47th Regiment of Foot had 5 rank & file killed, 2 Officers, 1 Sergeant, 21 rank & file wounded and at Bunker hill the 47th Regiment of Foot had 2 officers wounded, died + 1 Sergeant, 15 rank and file killed, 5 officers, 3 Sergeant's, 47 rank and file wounded.

In 1776 the regiment returned to Quebec to assist in its defence against American rebels. In 1777 the regiment was part of the disastrous expedition to Saratoga where it took part in a number of major engagements. Much of the 47th Regiment of Foot became internees after the surrender of British forces on 17 October. These men not return home from their enforced stay until 1783 and the conclusion of the American War of Independence. 2½ companies of the regiment were not at the Battles of Saratoga as they had been left behind to guard the army's supply lines. On Sept 24, 1777, two companies of the 47th Regiment of Foot under command of Capt. Thomas Aubrey defeated a much larger colonial force at the Battle of Diamond Island. Following the defeat at Saratoga these 2½ companies withdrew to Canada.

In 1779 the remaining men of the 47th Regiment of Foot were assigned to assist in construction of a new fort at Carleton Island. Later that year the men of the 47th Regiment of Foot were transferred to reinforce the British posts on the Great Lakes at Niagara, Detroit, and Mackinac. In the summer of 1780 volunteers from the 47th Regiment of Foot stationed at Detroit took part in Capt. Henry Bird's expedition to Kentucky where they were involved in the capture and destruction of Martin's and Ruddle's Stations. In 1782 the Officers and NCOs returned home to England to recruit a 'new' 47th Regiment of Foot, while its remaining men were transferred into the 8th Regiment of Foot.

In 1782 the regiment was given a county distinction when it was given the title the 47th (The Lancashire) Regiment of Foot.

Sources

Kronoskaf
Wikipedia
British Regimental Drums