79th Regiment of Foot (1757) facts for kids

The 79th Regiment of Foot was a British army group. It was created in 1757, at the start of a big conflict called the Seven Years' War. The leader of this regiment was Brigadier General William Draper.

What Was the 79th Regiment?

The 79th Regiment of Foot was a special unit of soldiers. They were part of the British military, which means they fought for Britain. They were formed to help in the Seven Years' War. This war was a global conflict that involved many powerful countries.

Early Missions and Battles

In 1758, the regiment traveled to India. There, they fought in a conflict known as the third Carnatic War. This was a series of battles for control in India.

The Battle for Manila

Later, in 1762, the 79th Regiment took part in a very important event. They helped invade Manila, which was the capital city of the Philippines. At that time, Spain controlled the Philippines. The British forces, including the 79th Regiment, successfully captured Manila.

End of the Regiment

After their service, the 79th Regiment of Foot was officially ended. This happened in 1763, in a place called Chatham. When a regiment is "disbanded," it means its soldiers are sent home and the unit no longer exists.

A Special Memorial

Even though the regiment was disbanded, their bravery is remembered. There is a special monument for the "departed warriors" of the 79th. This means it honors the soldiers who fought and died.

What the Monument Looks Like

The monument is a type of memorial called a cenotaph. A cenotaph is a monument that honors people buried somewhere else. This one looks like a classical sarcophagus. A sarcophagus is a stone coffin, but this one is empty. On top of it, there is an urn, which is a decorative vase.

Where to Find the Memorial

You can find this monument on Clifton Down in Bristol, England. It is thought to be the oldest war memorial in Britain. It was first put up in 1797. It was in the garden of General Draper's house, which was called Manilla Hall.

Who Designed It?

The design of the monument is very similar to drawings by an artist named Thomas Paty. This makes people think that he, or someone from his family, might have designed it. There is another monument nearby that also came from General Draper's garden. This one is an obelisk, which is a tall, thin stone pillar. It honors William Pitt the Elder, a famous British politician. This obelisk is also thought to be designed by Paty.

Moving the Monuments

The monuments were moved to their current spot in 1883. This happened because Manilla Hall and its gardens were being rebuilt.