101st Regiment of Foot (1780)

The 101st Regiment of Foot was a short-lived infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. Its creation was part of a wider effort to bolster British forces engaged in the conflict.

The regiment was raised primarily in Ireland by Colonel William Fullarton, a prominent figure known for his later service in India. The need for rapid recruitment to address the war effort led to the practice of raising regiments directly through individual colonels, who were responsible for enlisting and outfitting their men. This system was common, although its efficiency and oversight were often questionable.

Due to the ongoing war and its pressing need for troops, the 101st Regiment of Foot was immediately sent to the West Indies for service. Conditions in the West Indies were notoriously harsh for European soldiers, with tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria taking a heavy toll. The regiment saw action in campaigns against French and Spanish possessions in the Caribbean.

The regiment's service was relatively brief. Following the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783, significant reductions were made to the British Army. As a relatively newly raised regiment, the 101st of Foot was disbanded in 1783 as part of these post-war retrenchment measures. Its officers and men were either discharged, transferred to other regiments, or placed on half-pay.

The 101st Regiment of Foot (1780) should not be confused with other British Army regiments which bore the same or similar numerical designation during other periods. Regimental numbering and naming conventions evolved considerably over time, and re-use or re-designation was not uncommon.