The History of the First West India Regiment

In the late eighteenth century, as Britain struggled to staff its far‑flung empire, a distinctive solution emerged in the Caribbean: the creation of a locally raised army composed of Black soldiers. This work traces the birth of that force, detailing the political and economic pressures that led to its formation, the early organization of its twelve battalions, and the debates that surrounded the idea of using colonial subjects for imperial defence.

The narrative follows the regiment through its early campaigns, the harsh tropical climates that tested European officers, and the commendations it earned from senior commanders such as Abercromby and Moore. By weaving official reports, personal letters, and contemporary maps, the author shows how these troops became a crucial, if often overlooked, component of Britain’s defensive strategy, and why their eventual reduction mirrored the decline of the West Indian plantation economy.