The Irish soldier in the British army during the Napoleonic Wars, 1808-1815

Abstract

Consideration by historians of Irish soldiers’ service in the regular British army during the Napoleonic Wars has been primarily through the perspective of the Irish regiments and the Irish enlisted man. This note presents new perspectives by demonstrating that Irish service was more widespread due to the presence of Irish officers and enlisted men across all regiments of the regular army. Important aspects of Irish service such as promotion, discipline, and the presence of Irish families are highlighted with the intention of facilitating a new perspective on the relationship between the regular British army and Irish society.