Royal Manx Fencibles
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The Royal Manx Fencibles was a fencible regiment of the
British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
which was raised on the
Isle of Man ) , anthem = "O Land of Our Birth" , image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg , image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg , mapsize = , map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe , map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green) in Europe ...
. Its duties included home defence, but it performed various tasks away from the
Isle of Man ) , anthem = "O Land of Our Birth" , image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg , image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg , mapsize = , map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe , map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green) in Europe ...
, and was in
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
at the time of the
1798 Rebellion The Irish Rebellion of 1798 ( ga, Éirí Amach 1798; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ''The Hurries'') was a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. The main organising force was the Society of United Irishmen, a Irish republicanism, ...
.''Isle of Man Times''. Saturday, 3 October 1936. p. 11.


Origins

The Manx Fencibles had two stages of existence, one beginning in 1779, and lasting, with intervals, for approximately 20 years. In 1779 the church played its part in the raising of the regiment, with the
Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...
ordering that a proclamation be read from the pulpit calling for the raising of three corps of Fencibles for the defence of the island.''Isle of Man Examiner''. Friday, 4 December 1936. p. 9. The second stage began in 1795, when
John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl, KT, PC, FRS (30 June 1755 – 29 September 1830), styled Marquess of Tullibardine from 1764 to 1774, was a Scottish peer. Life and career Murray was the eldest son of John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl, and his ...
, received authority from the Secretary for War to raise "by beat of drum or otherwise" a body to be called the 2nd Royal Manx Fencibles. The word "Fencible" is not peculiar to the Isle of Man; the Royal Manx Fencibles formed part of locally raised "volunteer regiments raised for local defence during a special crisis", and the Duke of Atholl would have been well accustomed to the raising of such regiments in Scotland. Appointed
Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
of the regiment, the Duke was at the forefront of the recruiting process: he appeared throughout the island, notably at Douglas market place. He had the authority to raise ten companies. Each company had three sergeants, three
corporal Corporal is a military rank in use in some form by many militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. The word is derived from the medieval Italian phrase ("head of a body"). The rank is usually the lowest ranking non- ...
s, three drummers, and sixty privates, with two fifers for the Grenadier company, besides a
Sergeant Major Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in th ...
and
Quartermaster Sergeant Quartermaster sergeant (QMS) is a class of rank or appointment in some armed forces, especially those of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and formerly also in the United States. Ireland Quartermaster sergeant () appointments in the Irish ...
, which would give an overall strength of about 700 personnel. In two months 225 men had enlisted, besides 40 from each of the five companies of the earlier regiment, which had been raised for service in the Isle of Man only. To complete the number, an officer and sergeant were sent to recruit in Wigtonshire. The majority of the fencibles enrolled were despatched to
Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a populat ...
and
Warrington Warrington () is a town and unparished area in the borough of the same name in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, on the banks of the River Mersey. It is east of Liverpool, and west of Manchester. The population in 2019 was estimat ...
and subsequently to
Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...
. The remainder stayed behind in Douglas whilst they awaited instructions. One recruit, a young Scotsman named Robert M'Kerlie, was present at the promulgation ceremony held at
Tynwald Hill Tynwald Day ( gv, Laa Tinvaal) is the National Day of the Isle of Man, usually observed on 5 July (if this is a Saturday or Sunday, then on the following Monday). On this day, the Island's legislature, Tynwald, meets at St John's, instead of ...
, which he described as: M'Kerlie received orders to report at
Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to: People * Scarborough (surname) * Earl of Scarbrough Places Australia * Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth * Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong * Scarborough, Queensland, su ...
and left for Liverpool by the packet ''Duke of Athole''. She entered the
Mersey The River Mersey () is in North West England. Its name derives from Old English and means "boundary river", possibly referring to its having been a border between the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. For centuries it has formed part ...
after spending one night at anchor. He proceeded by coach to
Scarborough Castle Scarborough Castle is a former medieval Royal fortress situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the North Sea and Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. The site of the castle, encompassing the Iron Age settlement, Roman signal station, an A ...
, which was the regimental headquarters, and thence to
Whitby Whitby is a seaside town, port and civil parish in the Scarborough borough of North Yorkshire, England. Situated on the east coast of Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby has a maritime, mineral and tourist heritage. Its East Clif ...
, where he placed himself under the command of Major Peachy, who had charge of three of the companies. By this time the colonelcy had been transferred to the Duke's brother,
Lord Henry Murray Lord Henry Murray (13 June 1767 – 3 December 1805) was a soldier and administrator who served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man. Career Born the fourth son of John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl, Henry Murray was appointed Co ...
, and the lieutenant colonel was Charles Small. In August, two months after M'Kerlie's arrival in Scarborough, the regiment marched to Liverpool from where they sailed to
Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 c ...
. Just before the sailing they lined up for inspection at Mount Pleasant – referred to at the time as "an elevated and much frequented place overlooking the town". The upkeep of uniform was highly important, with M'Kerlie observing: A list of the men's "necessaries" compiled by Captain Moore includes reference to a "queue" or "platt", and there is also quoted the following entry: The shirts too were frilled at the breast; the ruffles, M'Kerlie says, were changed twice in the week. The
battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...
officers' uniform in this period would typically consist of: long coats and cocked hats, white feathers topped with black, white breeches and long boots, with steel mounted half basket swords, facings in dark blue (royal), with gold lace and gold epaulets. While in Ireland the long coat was replaced by the Austrian fashioned jacket with short broad skirts. White breeches and black gaiters were laid aside for winter, in favour of long grey trousers with scarlet seams. In addition cocked hats gave way to helmets with bearskins bearing in front the motto: "''Toujours pres''" (Ever ready). Imposing as this dress was, it was far outshone by that decreed for the Light Company, which was under the command of the brother of The Hon. Andrew Forbes. The social life of the officers was what one would imagine from writers of the period. The practice of heavy drinking was commonplace and encouraged amongst brother officers. As for the rank and file, the free use of whisky led many to be flogged. The Manx officers in the regiment were from the most respected families of the time; notable amongst them were William Bacon, Captain John Christian and Captain (later Major) Cesar Tobin, brother-in-law of Sir William Hillary.


Deployment in Ireland

When the regiment arrived in Dublin, three days after setting out from Liverpool, they felt that they were not welcome. Ireland at that time was smouldering with disaffection, and not long after came the unsuccessful landing by a
French army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...
, the ''
Expédition d'Irlande The French expedition to Ireland, known in French as the ''Expédition d'Irlande'' ("Expedition to Ireland"), was an unsuccessful attempt by the French Republic to assist the outlawed Society of United Irishmen, a popular rebel Irish republican ...
'', under the command of
General Hoche Louis Lazare Hoche (; 24 June 1768 – 19 September 1797) was a French military leader of the French Revolutionary Wars. He won a victory over Royalist forces in Brittany. His surname is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on ...
to assist the
United Irishmen The Society of United Irishmen was a sworn association in the Kingdom of Ireland formed in the wake of the French Revolution to secure "an equal representation of all the people" in a national government. Despairing of constitutional refor ...
. Almost immediately after landing in Ireland the Manx Fencibles marched to
Omagh Omagh (; from ga, An Ómaigh , meaning 'the virgin plain') is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. Northern Ireland's capital city Belfast is 68 m ...
and on to Strabane and finally Derry where they stayed for some time. Later the regiment was stationed in
Lifford Lifford (, historically anglicised as ''Liffer'') is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland, the administrative centre of the county and the seat of Donegal County Council, although the town of Letterkenny is often mistaken as holding th ...
,
County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconn ...
and at Coleraine when the
Irish Rebellion of 1798 The Irish Rebellion of 1798 ( ga, Éirí Amach 1798; Ulster-Scots: ''The Hurries'') was a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. The main organising force was the Society of United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group influenced ...
broke out.


1798 Irish Rebellion

The regiment erected defensive lines in Coleraine, the streets leading to the Town House being cut off by entrenchments to prevent the building being taken by surprise. For some time the regiment awaited an assault, until it was resolved to march out and attack the rebel army. The regiment marched to Ballymena, and, although they found that the rebels had abandoned it, they still proceeded to set the town on fire. On Sunday, July 8, 1798, following the
Battle of Antrim The Battle of Antrim was fought on 7 June 1798, in County Antrim, Ireland during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 between British troops and Irish insurgents led by Henry Joy McCracken. The British won the battle, beating off a rebel attack on Antri ...
the regiment marched out of Coleraine into the surrounding countryside, where they burnt houses and farmland in a dreadful scene. Livestock was seized and unresisting people were driven from their homes following which they were plundered and set on fire. The defeat of the
United Irishmen The Society of United Irishmen was a sworn association in the Kingdom of Ireland formed in the wake of the French Revolution to secure "an equal representation of all the people" in a national government. Despairing of constitutional refor ...
was followed by their punishment. A permanent
Court Martial A court-martial or court martial (plural ''courts-martial'' or ''courts martial'', as "martial" is a postpositive adjective) is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of memb ...
was set up at Coleraine at which M'Kerlie, a deeply religious man, was a member and recording his thoughts as: Following the rebellion M'Kerlie transferred to the
Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries (''Siorrachd Dhùn Phris'' in Gaelic) is a historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the historic county. I ...
Regiment.


Disbandment

According to some records the Manx Fencibles were disbanded in 1802, shortly after the signing of the Peace of Amiens; however a manuscript book shows that an establishment of them existed in the years 1810 and 1811. The establishment was by that time reduced to four companies, mustering 280 privates, 40
NCOs A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
and 12 officers (4 Captains, 4
Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...
s and 4
Ensign An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
s). Headquarters were at Castletown, where there were stationed 130 privates, 7
corporal Corporal is a military rank in use in some form by many militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. The word is derived from the medieval Italian phrase ("head of a body"). The rank is usually the lowest ranking non- ...
s, 6 sergeants and the regiment's three drummers. Douglas had 60 privates and 10
NCOs A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
;
Ramsey Ramsey may refer to: Geography British Isles * Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, a small market town in England * Ramsey, Essex, a village near Harwich, England ** Ramsey and Parkeston, a civil parish formerly called just "Ramsey" * Ramsey, Isle of Man, t ...
50 privates and 8 NCOs and Peel 40 privates and 6 NCOs. The Peel detachment provided a guard at
Kirk Michael Michael ( gv, Maayl) is one of the six sheadings of the Isle of Man. It is located on the west of the island (part of the traditional ''North Side'' division) and consists of the three historic parishes of Ballaugh, Jurby and Michael. H ...
. The officers mainly hailed from the Isle of Man, but some hailed from Scotland and England, having been enrolled when the regiment was on service in England and Ireland. The Lieutenant Colonel at the beginning of this period was Robert Steuart, the
Receiver General of the Isle of Man {{Politics of the Isle of Man The Receiver-General of the Isle of Man was an appointment made by the Lieutenant Governor. Until 1919, the Receiver-General had a seat in the Legislative Council but he was removed as an ex officio member of the C ...
, who built the Villa Marina; he was succeeded by
James Murray, 1st Baron Glenlyon Lieutenant-General James Murray, 1st Baron Glenlyon (29 May 1782 – 12 October 1837), styled as Lord James Murray until 1821, was a British Army officer, Member of Parliament and peer. Life Murray was born in 1782 at Dunkeld, Perthshire, t ...
. The paymaster was William Scott and the surgeon John Nelson Scott – both of whom were relatives of the novelist
Sir Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels '' Ivanhoe'', '' Rob Roy' ...
. The Fencibles were permitted to assist with the harvest. An order dated August 24, 1810, provides that such men will be exempt from duty and parades, except on Sundays. The number was limited so that three reliefs remained on guard duties, and every man had to return at night. On September 29, the men employed in the harvest were directed to attend all parades and bring up their guards they had missed during their absence. The Manx Fencibles were finally disbanded in 1811.


See also

* List of British fencible regiments


References

{{Regiments of Foot Military units and formations on the Isle of Man Fencible regiments of the British Army Military units and formations established in 1779 Military of the Isle of Man