Connaught Rangers

Richard Simkin03

British infantry Morval 25 September 1916

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Connaught Rangers badge of TC Slowey

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Connaught Rangers

The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") were an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) and the 94th Regiment of Foot in 1881 under the Childers Reforms. The regiment served in various parts of the British Empire until it was disbanded in 1922 following the establishment of the Irish Free State.

History

The Connaught Rangers trace their origins to the late 18th century. The 88th Regiment of Foot was raised in 1793 in response to the threat posed by the French Revolutionary Wars, while the 94th Regiment of Foot was formed in 1794. These regiments served in numerous conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars, where the 88th earned the nickname "The Devil's Own" for their fierce fighting spirit during the Peninsular War.

In 1881, as part of the Childers Reforms which aimed to reorganize the British infantry, the 88th and 94th Regiments were amalgamated to form the Connaught Rangers. The regiment was named after the western Irish province of Connaught, reflecting its recruitment base in that area.

Throughout its history, the Connaught Rangers served in various colonial conflicts, including the Second Boer War (1899-1902), where they fought with distinction. During World War I, the regiment was heavily involved in the fighting on the Western Front, participating in major battles such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Ypres.

Mutiny of 1920

One of the most notable events in the regiment's history was the Connaught Rangers mutiny of 1920. This occurred in India, where elements of the regiment stationed at Jalandhar and Solon protested against the British rule in Ireland, particularly in response to the activities of the Black and Tans in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence. The mutiny was suppressed, and several participants were court-martialed and executed or received prison sentences.

Disbandment

Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the Connaught Rangers, along with other regiments of the British Army with strong Irish connections, were disbanded as part of the post-war reorganization of the British forces. The regiment's colors were laid up in St. George's Hall, Windsor Castle, and it was officially disbanded on 31 July 1922.

Legacy

The legacy of the Connaught Rangers is preserved through various memorials and associations dedicated to remembering the regiment's history and the service of its members. The Connaught Rangers Association, for example, works to keep the memory of the regiment alive, organizing events and commemorations.

The regiment's history is also remembered in military museums in Ireland and the UK, where artifacts, medals, and documents related to the Connaught Rangers are on display, offering insights into the life and times of the soldiers who served in its ranks.

See Also

• British Army during the Victorian Era
• Irish regiments in the British Army
• Military history of Ireland