18th Century

Henry McGilchrist (c1755 to 18??)

Those who enjoy John Ellis’s articles on the historical black presence in the British military will be delighted that he has turned his attention to another regiment. This time he has identified a number of black men who served in the 3rd King’s Own Dragoons.

All too often when we see black figures depicted in paintings they are anonymous or on the periphery in an obviously subservient role, not so Henry McGilchrist. You can read about Henry (and see what he looked like) and some of those who also served in the 3rd King’s Own Dragoons here:

https://www.historycalroots.com/henry-mcgilchrist-kettle-drummer-of-the-3rd-kings-own-dragoons/

Over the hills and far away

Lieutenant Colonel Macleod leading the 43rd Light Infantry in the Storming of Badajoz on 6th April 1812 in the Peninsular War. By John Augustus Atkinson

More incredible work by super sleuth John Ellis has now identified 500 individual Black soldiers serving in the British and Irish regiments of the Crown between 1715 and 1860. Among them, two individuals who, had they lived to receive the retrospectively awarded Military General Service Medal 1793-1814 in the late 1840s, would have been two of the most decorated veterans of the Light Division. These men and others like them led incredible lives in the service of the British Crown and yet their names are virtually unknown. Read John’s latest article to find out the full story:

http://historycalroots.com/over-the-hills-and-far-away-the-black-soldiers-of-the-43rd-foot-1796-1826