Francis O'Farrell's Regiment

Date: 1678 [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Scotland

------- Francis O'Farrell's Regiment (1689-1695) (later Royal Scots Fusiliers)

The Regiment, originally raised, in Scotland, as the Earl of Mar's Regiment in 1678 was, in 1686, under the command of Thomas Buchan. He sided against William of Orange and, in 1688, marched the regiment to England against William. When William was successful in gaining the throne of England the Regiment was ordered to Oxfordshire and Buchan dismissed. He was replaced by Francis Fergus O'Farrell, who had been in Dutch service with William III, by commission of 1 March 1689. The strength of the Regiment in early 1689 was, officially, 780 men.^[1][2]

The O'Farrell Regiment sailed to Holland in 1689, arriving 1 May 1689 at Bois-du-Luc (La Louvière, now Belgium) as part of the Nine Years War. The senior officers were noted as 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant Colonel and eleven Captains.^[3] Although the unit was initially assigned to the Dutch army under Prince Georg Friedrich of Waldeck it was never taken to Dutch establishment and remained under the English establishment throughout the war (this indicates who paid for the unit; it was better to be on the Dutch establishment). The Officers noted in the deployment are noted in the Roll below with an "*".

The Regiment participated in the Battle of Walcourt, 25 Aug 1689. The regiment wintered in Flanders, where they received the new flintlock muskets, the Fusil. In May 1690 the Regiment marched to Brussels to join the English army, newly arrived. Waldeck engaged the French, at the Battle of Fleurus, before the English army arrived and suffered a humiliating defeat.

The Regiment remained in Flanders through 1691 and in March the regiment was encamped at Halle, in Flemish Brabant, and formed in brigade with the second battalion of the Royals. After the Allied defeat at Mons the Regiment was moved to Brussels and brigaded with the Scots Brigade under General Ramsay. The unit became widely known as O'Farrell's Fusiliers with the uniform stated to have red, faced and lined with the same colour.

In 1692 the Regiment was ordered to the relief of the Siege of Namur under William III but weather impeded the army's advance and Namur surrendered, 30 Jun 1692, before the relief force arrived. A detachment of the Regiment made an attempt to surprise the garrison at Mons but the French were well prepared. During this encounter, Colonel O'Farrell and Colonel Robert Douglas^[4], in an attempt to liaise with the force commander, Frederick Charles, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental^[5], were captured. They were released after payment of the ransom.

At the Battle of Steenkerque, 3 Aug 1692, the Regiment formed part of the advance guard and suffered heavy losses, amongst them seven officers killed and one wounded.

The Regiment wintered in Ghent and, in 1693, brigaded again with the Scots Brigade, under Ramsay. Theydeployed to the Battle of Landen (Neerwinden), fought on 29 Jul 1693, where the Regiment again suffered heavy losses.^[6]

In 1694 the regiment was given rank (21st) in the British army according to the date it entered on the English establishment and it's establishment appears to have been reduced by two companies as a number of Officers are noted as leaving the Regiment.

In 1695 the regiment was garrisoned at Deinze when François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy detached a regiment against it. O'Farrell surrendered with his regiment without firing a shot. He was thereafter court-martialed and dismissed. That he was not executed, as was the common sentence, can only be put down to his relationship with the King. He was succeeded by Robert Mackay, who died in December 1696. By commission of 1 January 1697, Mackay was succeeded by Archibald Row, formerly a Lieutenant-Colonel of Stanley's regiment (16th Foot) and the Regiment became known as Row's Regiment.

After the Treaty of Ryswick, in 1697, the regiment was returned to Scotland.

Officers

Staff

Colonel Francis Fergus O'Farrell *. Born in Ireland and grew up in the Netherlands. With French influence his name is often seen as De O’Farrell or D’O’Farrell. He had served in the Low Countries since about 1674 under the Dutch flag and was an obvious and trusted choice for the Regiment. He was captured before the Battle of Steenkerque on route to a command conference but was released by ransom.

Lieutenant Colonel John Balfour (Balfour of Ferny, 2nd son of 3rd John Balfour, Lord Balfour of Burleigh). Out of the Regiment, possibly died, before 1693. Didn't deploy with Regiment in 1689.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Douglas *, served in the Regiment as Major, appears as Lieutenant Colonel on deployment in 1689, likely promoted Lieutenant Colonel abt. Dec 1688. Served through the Flanders Campaigns.

Adjutant - Ensign John Vandergracht. Likely Dutch. Appears on unit role in Flanders in 1691. Appointed Ensign to Major Robert Keith 7 Mar 1692 and appointed 1 Nov 1692. He was promoted Lieut, before 1695. Killed at the Battle of Blenheim.

Lieutenant Gerald Wall. Appointed Ensign to the Colonel, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. Made Adjutant before 1693. Wounded at the Battle of Landen. Promoted Lieut. 14 Oct. 1693. His commission as Lieutenant was renewed in 1702. Promoted Capt.-Lieut. 25 Aug. 1704.

Surgeon; William Borthwick.

Company of Foot

Captain Hew Montgomerie *. Served with the unit.

Captain Robert Mckenzie *, Served with the unit prior. Killed at the Battle of Steenkerque. Replaced as company commander by Captain Alexander Straton.

Captain Alexander Straton *. With the unit prior, stated to be Captain on deployment to United Netherlands. Promoted Capt-Lt 7 Mar 1692. Served at the Battle of Steenkerque and succeeded to Captain Mckenzie's company at his death. Wounded at the Battle of Landen. Killed at the Battle of Blenheim. Cannon's Records of this unit state that there were two Alexander Straton of this Regiment killed at Blenheim. This was not the case; they were Captain Alexander Straton and Captain David Straton.

Captain William Burnet *. Served with unit prior. Promoted Captain in 1689 and appears as Captain on deployment to United Netherlands. Served in Flanders but out of unit prior 10 Nov 1692 when his company was given to Captain Jarvis Newton.

Captain William Sharp *. He is likely related to William Sharp of Scotscraig, on whom a baronetcy was conferred in 1683. Appears as Captain on deployment to United Netherlands. He was promoted Captain in 1692 and at the Battle of Steenkerque. In Cannon's Records of this unit it is stated that Capt. Sharp, of this regt., was killed at Steenkerque, but Dalton disputes this based on a commission advanced prior to the battle. There were two Captain Sharp at the battle; one William and one Walter. It seems that one died and the other transferred to the Scots Gds. on 1 Sept. 1693 and will later return to this Regiment as a Major (1705). It seems probable that it was William that died and Walter that transferred.

Captain John Paterson *. Arrived in unit 1 Mar 1689, taken prisoner at the Battle of Landen. Fought at the Battle of Blenheim.

Captain John Kingsford *. Arrived in unit 1 Mar 1689, out of unit prior to 1694.

Captain James Conevan *. Appears on unit on deployment in 1689 but not on unit rolls.

Captain Robert Ride *. Appears on unit on deployment in 1689 but not on unit rolls.

Captain James Cardrow. Arrived in unit 1 Mar 1689, out of unit prior to 1694. Maybe same as Conevan above.

Captain John Bell. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain John Bruce. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain Alexander Cairnes. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain John Wallace. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain William Trotter. Left the Regt. before 1 Mar 1689, when his company was given to John Kingsford.

Captain Kenneth Mckenzie. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain James Middleton. May have been related to Robert Middleton of Scots Foot Guards and a noted Jacobite. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Captain John Ramsay. Served with the unit prior to 1688, did not deploy in 1689.

Field Promotion to Captain

Captain Walter Sharp. Served with unit prior and Ensign prior to 1688. Promoted Captain on 1 Jan 1692 vice Captain Francis Scott. Served at the Battle of Steenkerque and the Battle of Landen. Seems likely it was he that transferred to the Scots Gds. on 1 Sept. 1693 and he appears in the Army List for 1706, as major of this Regiment. Seems likely to be the same as Colonel Walter Shairp of Blance, New Brunswick, who married a daughter of Sir Thomas Dalyell and died in 1710.

Captain William Ogilvie. Served with unit prior and Ensign in 1688. Promoted Capt.-Lt. on 4 Oct. 1693 and Captain in 1 June 1694. Served throughout the Campaign.

Captain John Elliot. Served with unit prior and Ensign in 1687. He was promoted Captain on 1 Aug 1692, vice William White who was killed at the Battle of Steenkerque. Out of the Regt. before 1702.

Captain Gervase (Jarvis) Newton. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain William Burnet, Hague, 7 Mar 1692. He was the eldest son of Sir John Newton, Bt., of Barrs Court, co. Gloucester. Wounded at the Battle of Steenkerque. Promoted Capt. 10 Nov 1692 (comn. not forthcoming - he didn't complete the payment for it). Died before 1699.

Captain-Lieutenant Alexander Dixon. Appointed to the Regiment, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. Appointed Capt. in the Royal Scots Regt. of Foot 8 Mar. 1694. Killed at the Siege of Namur, 8 July 1695.

Lieutenant John Livingstone. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant John Dalyell. This is not the same John Dalyell who was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of this Unit in 1695 and who was killed at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Lieutenant Duncan Menzies. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant John Scott. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant James Stirling. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant John Creighton. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant John Dunbar. Arrived in unit 1 Mar 1689. Wounded at the Battle of Landen and at the Battle of Blenheim. He will be recommissioned in the Army List for 1702, promoted Captain on 25 Aug 1705.

Lieutenant Alexander Leith. Served with the unit.

Lieutenant John Innis. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain John Paterson, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. Serving through the campaign in Flanders and out of the Regt. before 1702.

Lieutenant James Douglas. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain Robert Reed, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He was wounded at the Battle of Landen. He served at the Battle of Schellenberg and the Battle of Blenheim. He was serving with the Regt. in 1706.

Lieutenant Colin Mackenzie. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain William Sharp, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He does not appear in any subsequent List of this Regt. and is possibly identical with the "Capt. Mackenzie" of this Regt. killed at the Battle of Steenkerque where it seems probable that Captain Sharp was also killed.

Lieutenant John Badenoch. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain Alexander Straton, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He is later appointed Quarter-Master in 1702 and out of the Regt. in 1706.

Lieutenant Robert Falconer. Appointed Ensign to Captain Alexander Straton, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He is stated, by Dalton, to be Alexander Straton, jnr, in the belief that there were two officers by this name in the Regiment. He was promoted Lieut. 14 Oct 1693. Served at the Battle of Landen and then at the Battle of Schellenberg and the Battle of Blenheim and was still in the Regt. in 1706.

Lieutenant Alexander Fairlie (Mackfairlie). Appointed Ensign to Captain Robert Reed, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He is called Fairlie in all subsequent Lists. Promoted Lieut. 1 Feb. 1697. Wounded at the Battle of Blenheim. He was promoted Capt. 25 Aug. 1704. He was killed at the Battle of Malplaquet.

Lieutenant Thomas Treffrey. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain Jarvis Newton, Kensington, 10 Nov 1692. He doesn't remain in the Regiment long and is appointed Capt. in Colonel Godfrey Lloyd's Regt. of Foot, 26 Nov 1692, and deployed with that Regt. to the West Indies.

Lieutenant unknown Hill. Appointed Lieutenant to Captain Jarvis Newton, Kensington, 30 Nov 1692. He was out of the Regt. before 1694, however he may have re-joined later as a Lieut. Hill of this Regt. appears in the List of officers killed at the Battle of Blenheim.

Ensign; Note; The rank was changed to 2nd Lieutenant in 1702.

Ensign Michael Veitch.

Ensign James Seatone.

Ensign Patrick Graham.

Ensign Robert Wood.

Ensign John Bell.

Ensign John Scott.

Ensign Christopher McDougall

Ensign Charles Farquharson.

Ensign Thomas Elliott. Appointed to Regiment 7 Mar 1692. Noted as serving in Flanders in 1694 but out of the Regt. in 1702.

Ensign Richard D'Offarell. Appointed to Regiment as Ensign, Hague, 7 Mar 1692 and allocated to Captain William Burnet. He is stated to have been a child at the time and, judging by the name, was the child of the Regimental Colonel and thus only about 4. No further commissions are forthcoming until 10 Dec. 1722, when he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Regiment of Foot, (East Norfolk). He was Colonel of the 22nd Foot 12 Aug. 1741. Brigadier-General in 1746. Major-Gen. in 1754. Died in 1757.

Ensign Robert Straton. Appointed Ensign to Captain Alexander Straton, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He served at the Battle of Schellenberg and the Battle of Blenheim. Promoted Lieut. 25 Aug 1704.

Company of Grenadiers

Captain Robert Charteris. Was succeeded as capt. of the grendr. cy. by William Campbell on the 21 Feb. 1689. A note in the Comn. Entry Bk. states this was "a change" (i.e. an exchange of companies), but what became of Charteris does not appear on future records.

Captain William Campbell *. Arrived in unit 21 Feb 1689, wounded at the Battle of Landen, Promoted Major 14 Sept. 1693. Killed at the Battle of Blenheim.

Captain William White *. With the unit prior. Promoted Captain 1689 and deployed as a Captain. Killed at the Battle of Steenkerque. His company given to Lt. John Elliot, 4 Aug. 1692.

Captain Robert Nisbet. With the unit prior but must have deployed as a Lieutenant. Promoted Captain before 1 Jan 1692 when his company was given to James Kygo.

Captain James Kygo. Appointed to the Regiment, dated Hague, 7 Mar 1692, may have been Dutch. He was wounded at the Battle of Steenkerque and the Battle of Schellenberg. Out of the Regiment in 1706.

Lieutenant Florence Kane. Appointed as Ensign to Captain James Kygo, Hague, 7 Mar 1692. Promoted Lieut. 1 Aug. 1692, to Captain Walter Sharp. Brevet-Capt. 25 Aug. 1704. Served through campaigns in Flanders. Appointed Capt. of a Company of Invalids 3 July 1708. Second Major of Chelsea Hospital 23 Oct. 1712. Capt. of a Company of Invalids at Windsor same date.

Ensign Richard Graham. Appointed Ensign to Captain James Kygo, Lembecq, 1 Aug 1692. He is noted as serving in Flanders in 1694. He was out of the Regt. before 1702.

Support Staff

The support staff typically did not deploy but remained near the recruiting base.

Aide-Major; Captain Duncan Menzies. Promoted to Captain in Dec 1688 but out of the regt. before 1 Mar 1689, when his company was given to Captain Thomas Paterson.

Quarter-Master; Captain James Wood.

Marshall; James Prince. Likely the same James Prince that was appointed Captain of an Indep. Company of Foot "to be raised and sent to Jamaica," 16 Feb. 1694. The company was incorporated into Colonel Luke Lillington's Regt. of Ft. in Dec. 1694.

Chaplain; William Hackett. Appointed 22 July 1692. He does not appear later.

Recruiting.  : Captain Francis Scott. He was brother to the Walter Scott, Earl of Tarras. In unit prior to 1688 and promoted to Capt. before 1691. He was in Scotland recruiting for the unit up to 1691 and out of the Regiment before 1 Jan. 1692, when his company was given to Walter Sharp. He later joined the church and lived in Tuscany where he died.

Sources and References

1. ↑ Dalton, Charles; English Army Lists, v3 1689-1694, page 11
2. ↑ Dalton, Charles; English Army Lists, v2 1685-1689, page 219
3. ↑ History of the Scots brigade in the service of the United Netherlands, 1572-1782 v1; Ferguson, page 568.
4. ↑ Colonel Robert Douglas, of Glenbervie, commander the Douglas Regiment (later the Royal Scots), killed at Battle of Steenkerque
5. ↑ Richard Cannon in the Histories of the Units calls him the "Prince of Wirtenberg" but it wasn't a Principality. At the time it was held by Duke Frederick Charles, albeit as an uncle to the rightful, but young, heir, Eberhard Louis. Frederick Charles dies in 1696
6. ↑ D'Auvergne's History of the Campaigns in Flanders

• Source material for the Unit history for the period is derived from the Historical record of the Twenty-First Regiment, or the Royal North British Fusiliers by Richard Cannon, albeit corrected if appropriate.

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