VIII Regiment of Foot

His Majesty Georgivs Rex III, By The Grace of God of Great Britain, France, Defender of The Faith, &c.!'s

The King's (8th) Regiment of Foot

Detroit Garrison

Brief History of The King's Regiment

By Dennis George Lennox II, Lieut. and Adjutant

The first engagement was The Siege of Carrickfurgus(Ireland) in 1689. They then went on to Boyne in 1690 and after the battle they were inspected and numbered 526 Rank and File(not including Officer's and NCO's). The regiment then saw service at Cork, Kinsale and Limerick. In the year 1692 they returned to England where they were stationed at many cities until being sent to The Spanish Netherlands in 1695. In 1702 they were given the title The Queen's Regiment, after Princess Anne's accession to the British Throne. Under the new title the regiment saw service in Flanders and Germany, which gained them their first battle honour(1704). The Grenadiers of The Queen's Regiment distinguished themselves at The Siege of Liege in 1702. The regiment then went on to Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. In the Scottish Rebellion of 1715, they suffered heavy casualties during The Battle of Dubblane(13th of Nov.). They were the rearguard of The British Army and their actions saved the army. This desperate fight resulted in the virtual destruction in 1716. His Majesty King George I, By The Grace of God of Great Britain and France, Defender of The Faith, &c. granted the regiment the title The King's Regiment, The White Horse of Hanover and the motto Nec Aspera Terrrent for the regiment's bravery abd loyalty. Though the title was more or less a battle honour. The regiment then saw several years of home service until the regiment went to Dettingen in 1743 and Fontenoy(1745). They were returned to England in 1745 because of The Scottish Rebellion of 1745. They then fought at Falkirk(1746) and Culloden(1746). The regiment was first ranked The 8th Regiment in 1742 and the seniority being confirmed in 1751. After Roucoux and Val in Holland, The Seven Years War(1756-1763) saw the regiment serving at Warburg and numerous other actions. In 1768 the regiment went to Quebec. In 1774 the regiment was choosen to replace The 10th Regiment of Foot who had been at the western forts since 1772. The King's Regiment would remain at theses forts until 1785. During The War for American Independence the regiment saw very little action. What action the regiment saw was mostly small raids on Rebel Towns. Though the regiment did see action at two major battles(Ft. Stanwix and Saratoga). After returning to England in 1785, they were declared unfit for service and described as a regiment of invalids. In 1758, The Manchester Regiment(former second battalion of the regiment up till 1758, when they became 63rd Regiment) and The King's Regiment were joined as one to form the new King's Regiment.

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