Search British Army, Royal York Rangers

Each record will include a combination of the following facts:

• Name
• Birth year
• Age
• Birth place
• Occupation
• Hulk
• Joined regiment
• Attested to Royal York Rangers
• Company
• Event year
• Cause
• Death date
• Notes
• Archive reference

History of the Royal York Rangers

Formation and Early Origins

The Royal York Rangers trace their roots to the Royal African Corps, which itself was formed in 1800 from Fraser’s Corps of Infantry. This original unit was created to defend the Island of Gorée in West Africa. In 1806, the Royal African Corps was divided into two distinct entities: the Royal West India Rangers and the Royal African Corps. The latter underwent a significant transformation on 14 August 1807 when it was renamed the Royal York Rangers.

Recruitment and Composition

The Royal York Rangers were a unique regiment, recruiting from a diverse pool of individuals. Many of its soldiers were drawn from prison hulks and included British and Irish men who had been condemned to death. In addition to these recruits, the regiment included Black Loyalists who had served during the American Revolution, soldiers from the West Indian Regiments, and Indian soldiers from the Honourable East India Company. This eclectic mix of backgrounds contributed to the regiment's distinctive character and capabilities.

Service in the West Indies

The Royal York Rangers were deployed to the West Indies, participating in various campaigns. Their notable engagements included operations in Martinique and Guadeloupe, reflecting their strategic importance in British military efforts in the region.

Disbandment

After over a decade of service, the Royal York Rangers were disbanded on 24 June 1819 in Halifax. This marked the end of a significant chapter in British military history, characterised by the regiment's diverse composition and active engagement in colonial campaigns.

Index Creation

Graham Clitheroe meticulously compiled the detailed indexes of the Royal York Rangers. His work involved extensive research using primary sources housed at The National Archives. The series consulted for this project include:

• WO25: Returns of service, pension records, and miscellaneous documents.
• ADM337: Admiralty documents related to naval personnel.
• WO116: Chelsea Pensioners’ records.
• HO9: Home Office records concerning prisoners and penal establishments.
• ADM37: Ships' muster books and pay lists.

These indexes provide a comprehensive and invaluable resource for family historians and researchers interested in the Royal York Rangers. They offer detailed insights into the regiment’s personnel and activities, enabling a deeper understanding of its historical significance.