Inniskillings ranked 27th Regiment

The Inniskillings had returned to Ireland from the war on the continent, landing in Belfast in February 1748. They would remain in Ireland until 1757. The Regiment resumed its peacetime manning when it was reduced by four companies. The remaining companies were manned by two sergeants, two corporals, one drummer and twenty-nine private soldiers.

During the Regiment’s time in Ireland, the precedence and numbering of regiments was introduced in 1751. The Inniskillings, in common with Line regiments, had always been described using the Colonel’s name in its title as in ‘The Honorable Wm Blakeney’s Regiment of Foot’. Although the new title became the ‘Twenty-Seventh Regiment of Foot’, or 27th Regiment of Foot, regiments were for some time still referred to by the Colonel’s name and often the number too.

The Army was commanded by the War Office from Horse Guards in London and it was from there that regulations were issued. Horse Guards had demanded, in 1742, ’for His Majesty’s Private inspection, a set of prints illustrating the dress, or uniform, of the private soldier of all regiments’. This led to the clothing regulations that were issued in 1747. This regulation and the precedence and numbering of regiments was promulgated on 1 July 1751 in the ‘Royal Warrant regulating the Standards, Colours, Cloathing, etc. and Rank or Number of Regiments of Cavalry and Infantry’. This laid down the insignia for the Inniskillings’ Colours and the uniform and badges worn by it’s officers and soldiers. These would evolve through the centuries, but always as ordered by what are today known as ‘Army Dress Regulations’, now issued by the Ministry of Defence.