Historical Records Of The West Kent Militia

Historical Records Of The West Kent Militia

Author: COLONEL JOHN BONHOTE

Year: 1909

The West Kent Militia traces back to the 1541 Kentish Muster Roll as an auxiliary arm of the British land forces. It consisted of part-time citizen soldiers who were liable to mobilize when England was threatened. The regiment would gather periodically for training and be called out for active duty during periods of war, to assume a home defense posture. These included: the Spanish Armada; troubles with Scotland; War with France 1759; the American Revolution; the French Revolutionary War; the Peninsular War; the Waterloo Campaign; and the Crimean War. The regiment was embodied for foreign service during the Boer War, serving in Malta to relieve the regular garrison. Thereafter, in 1908 the Militia was converted to army reserve battalions and the West Kents became the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). The book covers activities of the regiment during the periods above, and addresses personalities and equipment.