Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research 99/397

THE 105 TH REGIMENT OF FOOT , 1761-1763

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commanded by the lieutenant-colonel. As no other staff was provided for this battalion, it must be assumed that the two elements of the regiment were expected to serve together, though perhaps the senior of the surgeon’s mates was attached to the second battalion. The first battalion was initially provided with only three captains as the Field Officers had companies, and to assist them each was provided with two lieutenants and one ensign. Additionally the colonel’s company had a captain-lieutenant. The Other Ranks consisted of four each of sergeants and corporals, two drummers and 105 privates. On the completion of the second battalion another major was appointed and in the following year two more captains. Both Grenadier companies had captains, three lieutenants each – no ensigns – and the same numbers of non-commissioned officers, drummers and Men and two pipers each. As first established, the first battalion therefore numbered 721 all ranks and the second 715 all ranks. Both battalions were accepted as complete as from 25th December 1761 but remained on the British Establishment for different times: the second battalion passing onto the Irish Establishment as from 4th May 1762 and the 1st Battalion with effect from 18th July 1762. 8 Both battalions were disbanded on 31st March 1763 and the officers were placed on the Irish Half-Pay list. The original lieutenant-colonel of the regiment was Robert Murray but he retired and sold his commission to the Honourable William Gordon on 11th October 1762. Gordon had entered the Army at the beginning of the war as a cornet in the 11th Dragoons on 26th July 1756. He purchased his lieutenancy in the same regiment on 8th May 1758 but gained his captaincy on 4th August 1759 in the 16th Light Dragoons by raising a troop for rank. He remained with that regiment for just over two years before purchasing the major’s commission of the 31st Foot, which was stationed in Scotland, on 31st November 1761 from which he purchased the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Queen’s Own Royal Highlanders less than a year later . 9 Precisely what the 105th Foot did in Ireland is unknown and it seems likely that apart from training, its chief activity was arranging for drafts of men, as casualty replacements, to be sent to the two regiments of Highlanders that were serving in Germany. Possibly some men were despatched to North America for the same purpose. Gordon remained with the regiment until its disbandment and then undertook the Grand Tour. He was recorded as being on his way from 8 The National Archives (UK), Establishments of Several Corps and Additionals to the Forces ... , WO24/405. (Hereafter TNA.) The total figures given in this document are slightly wrong as six captains are counted for the 1st Battn and no captain-lieutenant. 9 Gordon’s commission details have been kindly supplied by Dr J.A. Houlding. Gordon was made a colonel by brevet on 29.8.1777 and left Half-Pay by raising his own 81st Foot in Ireland from 19.12.1777. He became a Maj-Gen 19.10.1781 and was placed on the English Half-Pay list when his regiment was disbanded on 13.5.1783. Returned to active service as the Colonel-Commandant of the new-raising 4th Battn of the 60th Foot, 3.10.1787; Col, 7th Foot, 20.10.1788; Col, 71st Foot in Ireland, 9.4.1789; Lt-Gen, 12.10.1793; Gen, 1.1.1798; Col, 21st Foot, 6.8.1803 until his death aged 80 or 81 on 25.5.1816.