90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) (Light Infantry)

Origins

In 1794, Britain’s Army raised several new units to meet the demands of the French Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802). Colonel Thomas Graham established the 90th Regiment of Foot, raising one battalion in February of that year, closely followed by another in May.

In December 1794, 2nd Battalion was transferred to the Royal Marines, while 1st Battalion marched to England and trained as light infantry. This made it the oldest British light infantry unit.

In September 1795, the regiment landed in Brittany to support a French Royalist force as part of the abortive Quiberon campaign. In 1798, it took part in the capture of Menorca. Then, in 1800, it was stationed at both Cadiz and Malta.

Early 18th century

The regiment took part in the Egyptian Campaign (1801), fighting at Aboukir (1801), before returning to England. It was then sent to garrison Ireland. While there, it absorbed the Perthshire Volunteers, which was reflected in a change to its title.

In 1804, it again raised a 2nd Battalion. This remained in Scotland and Ireland on garrison duties until its disbandment in 1817. 

1st Battalion fought in the West Indies for nine years from 1805, assisting in the capture of Martinique (1809) and Guadaloupe (1810). In 1814, it was sent to garrison Montreal during the War of 1812 (1812-15) and only arrived back in Europe in August 1815, too late for Waterloo.

After a short time serving as occupation troops in France, it joined the British forces on Malta and the Ionian Islands for 10 years from 1820. It returned to Britain in 1830 and then spent 11 years on Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1835.