120th Regiment of Foot (1794)

The 120th Regiment of Foot was a short-lived infantry regiment in the British Army, raised in 1794 during the French Revolutionary Wars. Like many regiments raised during this period, its existence was relatively brief, reflecting the fluctuating needs of the British military at the time.

The regiment was raised by Colonel William Gardiner in 1794. The primary purpose of raising such regiments was to augment the existing British Army in response to the increasing threat from Revolutionary France. The process involved individuals, often wealthy or influential, being commissioned to raise a regiment, attracting recruits and equipping them. The colonel would then be responsible for the administration and discipline of the unit.

The 120th Regiment of Foot did not see extensive active service. The majority of its time was likely spent in garrison duties, training, and maintaining readiness. Many such regiments, due to their expense and the shifting strategic landscape, were disbanded or amalgamated into other units after a few years.

The 120th Regiment of Foot was disbanded in 1796. Its officers and men were likely transferred to other regiments within the British Army. Records concerning its specific actions and composition are scarce, which is typical of many of the short-lived regiments formed during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its disbandment highlights the dynamic nature of the British Army during this period, where regiments were raised, served, and then dissolved according to the prevailing military and political circumstances.