74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot - Service History

Service History

The 74th was raised in 1787 by Archibald Campbell, their first colonel, and were known as Campbell's Highlanders.

They first saw action during in India during the Mysore campaign of 1789, fighting at Bangalore and Seringapatam. Later, under Wellesley they saw action in the Mahratta War of 1802, fighting at Assaye in 1803.

Returning to Europe they served again under Wellington in the Peninsular campaign, and fought at Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, both sieges of Badajoz, the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelles, Tarbes, Orthe, and Toulouse. They were then sent to garrison Ireland, and so missed the Battle of Waterloo, although they were on their way to embark for Belgium when news of the battle arrived.

They remained in Ireland until 1818, were then in Canada and New Brunswick until 1828, Bermuda for a year, and in Ireland again from 1830 to 1834. Later in the 1830s and into the 1840s the 74th were stationed in St. Lucia, Barbados and other islands in the West Indies, keeping remarkably healthy apart from one outbreak of fever and dysentery. Then, without coming home again, they went to Quebec in Canada.

The 74th came back to Britain from Canada in March 1845 with a dreadful disembarkation from the open roadstead at Deal. Later that year they became the 74th (Highland) Regiment. They had served for their first fifteen years in India, where the kilt was considered too heavy, and although they resumed it on returning to Scotland in 1806, they had lost their Highland dress in 1809, and even the name “Highland” in 1816. However the commanding officer, Colonel Eyre J. Crabbe, who was about to retire after 38 years continuous service with the regiment, was able to assure the Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington, that "that throughout the varied services and changes of so many years, a strong national feeling, and a connection with Scotland by recruiting, had been constantly maintained.”

Later the regiment served in the Kaffir War and in the Sepoy Rebellion.

In 1852 the regiment was involved in the Birkenhead disaster; under their commander, Lt.Col Seaton and with men of the 73rd regiment, followed what became known as the "Birkenhead" Drill, enabling women and children on board to be saved.

In 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms the 74th amalgamated with the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot to become the 2nd battalion, Highland Light Infantry.