Fifeshire Militia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fifeshire Militia Fife Artillery
Active	1798–1909
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1798–1800)  United Kingdom (1801–1909)
Branch	Militia
Type	Infantry Coast artillery
Size	1 Battalion 6 Batteries
Garrison/HQ	Cupar
Motto(s)	Virtute et Opera Deo Juvante

The Fifeshire Militia was a special army group from Fifeshire, Scotland. It started in 1798. This group helped defend Britain during the Napoleonic Wars and later the Crimean War. During the Crimean War, it changed into an artillery unit called the Fifeshire Artillery Militia. It also helped during the Indian Mutiny and the Second Boer War. The unit was finally stopped in 1909.

What Was the Scottish Militia?

For a long time in Scotland, most men had to serve in the army if needed. This was called the Shire levy. Men aged 16 to 60 had to serve for up to 40 days a year. They also had their weapons checked regularly.

After King Charles II returned to power, a law in 1661 created a militia of 20,000 foot soldiers and 2,000 horsemen. These soldiers could be called to serve anywhere in Scotland, England, or Ireland. However, over time, the militia became less active.

In 1757, during the Seven Years' War, England brought back a system where men were chosen by a lottery (called a ballot) to join the militia. But in Scotland, leaders were worried about people rebelling. So, instead of using the old militia, they created new, full-time regiments called 'Fencibles'. These Fencibles served during the War of American Independence and the early French Revolutionary War.

The Fifeshire Militia's Story

In 1797, a new law finally brought the militia ballot to Scotland. This idea was not popular, and some people protested. But the Fifeshire Militia was one of ten Scottish regiments formed in 1798.

During the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars, the militia became full-time soldiers. They stayed in the British Isles to defend the country. They guarded the coast, watched over prisoners, and kept things safe at home. This allowed the regular army to fight overseas.

The Fifeshire Militia even served in Ireland for a while. After a short peace, they were called back in 1803. The Earl of Crawford became the regiment's leader. The unit helped defend the south coast of England until the Napoleonic Wars ended.

After the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the militia was used less often. They rarely trained each year. The lottery system to pick soldiers stopped in 1831. The regiment kept a small group of staff and officers. Their main office was in Cupar from the 1830s. From 1842 to 1895, they used the Old Gaol (an old prison) in Cupar as their headquarters.

Becoming the Fife Artillery

Why Change to Artillery?

The Old Gaol at Cupar, where the Fifeshire Militia was based from 1842 to 1895.

The Militia was brought back in 1852 because of rising tensions with other countries. Men joined voluntarily, but a lottery could still be used if not enough people signed up. Soldiers trained for about 56 days when they joined, then for 21–28 days each year.

The 1852 law also created Militia Artillery units. Their job was to protect coasts and forts. This freed up the Royal Artillery (the regular army's artillery) to fight in other places.

Service During Wars

The Fifeshire Militia was called into action during the Crimean War. On November 18, 1854, it officially became the Fifeshire Artillery Militia, or just the Fife Artillery. Most of the soldiers and officers moved to the new artillery unit. Their headquarters stayed in Cupar. The unit stopped serving in May 1856 when the war ended.

Some artillery militia units were called up during the Indian Mutiny. This was to let regular army units go to India. The Fife Artillery started serving again on April 25, 1859. They went to South West England to guard the coast. They were based in places like Devonport and Pendennis Castle. They stopped serving on September 1, 1860.

Later Years and Disbandment

In 1882, the Royal Artillery grouped its units into new divisions. The Fife Artillery became the 4th Brigade, Scottish Division, RA. Later, in 1889, its name changed to Fife Artillery (Southern Division) RA.

The Fife Artillery was called up again during the Second Boer War from May to October 1900. This helped free up regular soldiers to fight in South Africa. In 1899, all coastal artillery units became part of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). The Fife Artillery then became the Fife Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia).

After the Boer War, there were big changes to the army. In 1908, the Militia was replaced by the Special Reserve. This new group was made of part-time soldiers who would help regular army units during wartime. Many soldiers from the Fife RGA (M) joined the Special Reserve. They became the Fife Royal Field Reserve Artillery in August 1908. However, all these units were soon stopped. The Fife Artillery was officially disbanded on October 31, 1909.

Leaders of the Fife Militia

Here are some of the important leaders of the Fife Militia:

Colonel

• Colonel George Lindsay-Crawford, 22nd Earl of Crawford, started August 18, 1802
• Colonel James Lindsay, started June 11, 1835

Honorary Colonel

• John Balfour, started February 23, 1855
• Sir Peter Arthur Halkett of Pitfirrane, 8th Baronet, started August 28, 1898
• W. Baird, started April 16, 1904

Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant

• Charles Robert Wynne, started February 23, 1855
• Sir Peter Halkett of Pitfirrane, 8th Baronet, started April 30, 1873
• W. Baird, started May 19, 1888
• George M. Boothby, started January 2, 1897
• Arthur Moubray, started June 5, 1905

Uniforms and Badges

In 1798, the Fifeshire Militia wore red uniforms with yellow trim. They kept this look until they became an artillery unit. Around 1820, their officers' buttons had the number '34' on them, with a crown.

When they became the Fife Artillery, they started wearing the blue uniform with red trim, like the Royal Artillery. Their helmet plates had a silver figure of the 'Thane of Fife' (a knight on a horse) above a gun badge. This was on a star with rays. The helmet also had the motto 'DEO JUVANTE' ('By God's assistance').

Later, when the Royal Artillery started using a blue cloth helmet in 1878, the Fife Artillery had a special helmet plate. It showed the Thane of Fife with the motto 'VIRTUTE ET OPERA' ('Courage and Effort'). It also said 'FIFE ARTILLERY MILITIA'. However, this unique plate was later replaced with a standard one in 1882.

See also

• Militia (Great Britain)
• Militia (United Kingdom)
• Militia Artillery units of the United Kingdom and Colonies
• 1st Fife Artillery Volunteers