British German Legion facts for kids
The British German Legion was a special group of German soldiers. They were hired by Great Britain to help fight in the Crimean War (1853-1856). This group is different from the King's German Legion, which fought much earlier during the Napoleonic Wars. Britain also created similar groups with soldiers from Italy and Switzerland.
After the Crimean War ended, these soldiers had the right to return to their home countries. However, some worried about how they would be received back home. Because of this, many chose to settle in new lands, like the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Who Led the Legion?
The main leader of the British German Legion was Major General Richard von Stutterheim. He played a big part in forming this special army group.
How Soldiers Were Recruited
The British government gave money and supplies to Major General von Stutterheim. His job was to find and recruit soldiers for the legion.
In March 1855, von Stutterheim started his recruitment efforts. He hired about 200 agents in Germany. These agents mostly looked for young men in busy port cities. They would talk to young men and encourage them to join the legion. It is thought that von Stutterheim earned money for each soldier he recruited.
Life in the Legion
By 1856, many members of the legion were living in Colchester Garrison in England. This was a military base where soldiers lived and trained. During their time there, many soldiers met and married local women from the area.
The Legion's End
The British German Legion was officially ended in November 1856. The soldiers saw very little fighting because the Crimean War had already finished.
Since returning home was difficult for many, most of the legion's members were resettled. They moved to the Eastern Cape Colony in South Africa. Because of this, you can still find German place names in that area today. One example is the town of Stutterheim, named after the legion's leader.
