The British Army: List of units on the regular establishment of the British Army for 1 February 1793

By Ron McGuigan

Regiments  of Cavalry

Regiments of Foot Guards

                           
Regiments of Foot

                                                                             
Artillery                                                        

Of its Foot Artillery, nineteen companies were in Great Britain, one company was in Scotland, five companies were in Gibraltar, eight companies were in British North America, seven companies were in the West Indies and the two independent companies were in India. Seven of the  Invalid Artillery companies were in England, one was in Scotland and two companies were in the Channel Islands. The two troops of Horse Artillery were forming in Great Britain during January and February 1793.  Of the 36 Independent Companies of Invalids, 19 were stationed in England, six were in Jersey, six were in Guernsey, one was in the Scilly Islands and four were in Scotland. The Corps of Royal Military Artificers were in England and the Channel Islands with the two independent companies stationed in Gibraltar.

As can be seen, just over half of the British Army, with a high portion of cavalry,  was in the British Isles both available for its defence and to go on active service. In March, a month after war was declared, all that could be supplied to its allies on the continent was one brigade of three Guards Battalions and a composite Flank Battalion, recruited to full strength by volunteers from the other four battalions, followed shortly afterwards by one line brigade of only three infantry regiments fit to take the field. Other regiments had to go into the fleet to act as Marines. Any  then at hand reinforcements for the continent would have to be the cavalry regiments.

Hardly an auspicious beginning to its war effort on land.

Placed on the Napoleon Series: May 2003

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