The 103rd Regiment of Foot (Volunteer Hunters) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in October 1760 during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763).
History
The regiment was formed as a short-term wartime unit, a common practice of the era. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Oswald served as its colonel from 1761 to 1763. The regiment's most notable military action was its participation in the capture of Belle Île, an island off the coast of Brittany, France, in April 1761. This amphibious assault was conducted alongside His Majesty's Marine Forces (the Royal Marines) and was a significant British victory during the Seven Years' War.
Disbandment
Following the conclusion of the Seven Years' War with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the regiment was disbanded in England later that same year, as was typical for regiments raised specifically for wartime service.
Summary of Characteristics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Active | 1760–1763 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Line infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Engagements | Seven Years' War (Capture of Belle Île, 1761) |
| Colonel | Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Oswald (1761–1763) |
Designation History
The number "103rd Regiment of Foot" was used by five distinct British Army regiments throughout history. The 103rd Regiment of Foot (Volunteer Hunters) was the first unit to bear that numerical designation, preceding later units such as the 103rd Regiment of Foot (King's Irish Infantry) raised in 1782, and the 103rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Bombay Fusiliers) raised by the East India Company.
