Light Division - Origins of The Light Division

Origins of The Light Division

On 17 July 1803, the Corps of Light Infantry was formed from brigading together the 43rd (Monmouthshire Light Infantry) Regiment, the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and the 95th Rifles. Portuguese Army Caçadores being later added. Not all of the Light Infantry was grouped into the Light Division. The 60th (Royal Americans) had already raised a Rifle battalion (the 5th) in 1797, followed by two more Rifle battalions (the 6th and 7th) in 1799. The command of this first Rifle battalion was given to Francis de Rottenburg, who had extensive experience with Light Infantry. Although Moore finished training the 43rd, 52nd, and 95th in September 1805, four further battalions were trained in a similar manner as a 'light brigade' in the Curragh of Kildare in Ireland in May 1808 by Rottenberg himself. Later, Rottenberg returned to England and, at Brabdourn Lees barracks in Ashford, trained the 68th, 85th and 71st as light infantry to help meet the demand for such troops in the Peninsula.

Since the three Rifle battalions of the 60th Royal Americans were already wearing the green clothing and black leather equipment typical of continental light infantry, the 95th Rifles adopted the same uniform as the 60th. But despite the best efforts of General Sir John Moore, the Light Infantry regiments were ordered to conform to the regulations for light companies of Line regiments by retaining their red jackets.

The 95th came armed with the Baker rifle and wearing dark green uniforms, the Green Jackets were hard to spot and spent their time picking off officers, sergeants and any other figure of authority in an enemy formation. Though nowhere near as devastating as a musket volley from the line infantry, a well-aimed shot could bring down an enemy commander with ease, lowering morale in the enemy. The Baker Rifle enjoyed far greater accuracy and range than the standard muskets of the time and the men using them were considered marksmen, trading devastating firepower for superior accuracy and range.

In 1807, the Light Division were involved in the Second Battle of Copenhagen and in 1808 the Corps of Light Infantry sailed for Spain, with General Moore for what would become known as the Peninsular War which proved to be the making of the concept of Light Infantrymen and Riflemen on operations.