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Pages from the diary of Captain Philip Townsend

A Soldier's Life

In Their Own Words: Captain Philip Townsend

Philip Townsend was an Irish gentleman. In 1756, he travelled to North America, where he fought against the French in the Seven Years War. His diary provides an insight into frontier warfare and the assault on Louisbourg.

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Glengarry badge, 98th (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment of Foot, c1874

98th (The Prince of Wales’s) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1824. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it became part of The North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment.

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Cap badge, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, c2015

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (Queen’s and Royal Hampshires)

Formed in 1992, this is the senior English line regiment of the British Army. It has taken part in several campaigns, including the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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The Royal Hampshire Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1992, when it was amalgamated into The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

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Glengarry badge, 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment, c1874

37th (North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1702. It fought in many British Army campaigns until the 1881 reforms, when it became part of The Hampshire Regiment.

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67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1756. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it became part of The Hampshire Regiment.

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Cap badge, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, c1912

The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

Raised in 1661, this was the oldest English line regiment in the British Army. It existed until 1959, when it was merged into The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment.

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Army Catering Corps

This unit was responsible for feeding the British Army. It was formed in 1941 and existed until 1993, when it became part of the Royal Logistic Corps.

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The death of Major Pierson and the defeat of the French attack on Jersey, 1781

American War of Independence: Key battles

In 1775, Britain’s American colonies rebelled in a bid for independence. The British Army performed fairly well in battle against the rebels, but it was unable to prevent the loss of territory following French and Spanish entry into the war.

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American War of Independence: Outbreak

In 1775, political and economic concerns led the inhabitants of Britain’s 13 American colonies to rise up in revolt. The subsequent conflict divided families and communities across North America.

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Cap badge, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, c1954

Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

This British Army unit was established in 1942. It is responsible for maintaining, recovering and repairing tanks, vehicles, weapons and equipment.

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Other ranks' cap badge, Royal Army Education Corps, c1970

Royal Army Educational Corps

This British Army unit was responsible for educating and instructing soldiers in a range of subjects and skills. In 1992, it became a branch of the newly formed Adjutant General’s Corps.

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The East Surrey Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1959, when it merged with The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) to form The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment.

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