1st Light Battalion King’s German Legion

Unit Commander:
Rob Bissell – rob@robbissell.freeserve.co.uk

Unit Secretary
David Lawrence – daveandali.lawrence@virgin.net

Website: www.kingsgermanlegion.org.uk

Who we are

The 1st Light Battalion of The K.G.L Re-enactment and Living History Group was formed in 2000.
We portray the 1st Light Battalion, the elite green jacketed skirmishers of the King’s German Legion as they would have been whilst on active service during the Peninsular War (1808-1814) and the Waterloo Campaign of 1815.

This was the first unit of the Legion to be raised in England and is now eight years old and has seen action in both England and Europe during this time. We have co-operated, when we have travelled to Europe with the units of the Legion which already exist there principally the 2nd Light Battalion based in Osnabruck in Germany.

What we do

We use the vast amount of data that is available on the Legion to kit and equip ourselves as authentically as possible, with particular emphasis on the living history side of re-enactment. Our uniforms and equipment are based on original examples and from the uniform regulations of the time and our drill and tactics are taken from Rifle Drill Manuals of the period
Living history is a very important part of our unit as a soldier would spend more time in the camp than on the battlefield.

It gives the unit a chance to recreate the way of life for of a Napoleonic soldier and his family.
Much of our food and drink is made from period recipes and cooked over an open wood fire, the heart of the camp.
We are very much a family based unit with members from all over the UK, and our events take us all over the UK and Europe.

The 1st LB/KGL is a part of the Napoleonic Association of the UK, which has some of the very best re-enactment groups from all over Europe within its ranks.

The Early History

A French force, commanded by General Mortier invaded Hanover in 1803; the Hanoverian Government capitulated in June 1803. The subsequent peace treaty known as the Convention of Elbe brought about the disbandment of the Hanoverian army

Almost immediately a steady stream of experienced Hanoverian soldiers flowed into Great Britain. Further impetus to recruiting was given by a Royal proclamation by King George III (the Elector of Hanover) on 10 August 1803, which when circulated across Hanover saw further officers and hundreds of soldiers leaving their homeland and securing passage to England.

The KGL was created in December 1803 by the amalgamation of two forces the “The King’s Germans” under the command of Colonel Von der Decken, and the “Foreign Levy” under the command of Major Halkett.

For the next two years the K.G.L grew steadily as more officers and men joined their and new units were formed. See “Units of the KGL circa 1805”

Eventually an infantry barracks was established at Bexhill on Sea, which was to remain the home of the KGL infantry until 1816.

At its height, there were around 14,000 men serving in the Legion and some 28,000 were eventually to have been part of the K.G.L.

Elements of the K.G.L where involved in nearly every campaign throughout the Napoleonic wars.

Units of the KGL circa 1805

Cavalry Brigade (MajGen von Linsingen)
1st King’s German Dragoons
(Colonel von Bock)
1st King’s German Light Dragoons
(Colonel Victor von Alten)
Light Infantry Brigade (Colonel Charles von Alten)
1st Light Battalion, K.G.L
(Colonel Charles von Alten)
2nd Light Battalion, K.G.L
(Lieutenant-Colonel Halkett)
1st Line Brigade (Colonel von Barsse)
1st Line Battalion, K.G.L (Colonel von Ompteda)
2nd Line Battalion, K.G.L (Colonel von Barsse)
2nd Line Brigade (Colonel von Langwerth))
3rd Line Battalion, K.G.L (Colonel von Hinuber)
4th Line Battalion, K.G.L
(Colonel von Langwerth)
King’s German Artillery (Major von Linsingen)
1st Horse Battery (Captain Hartmann)
2nd Horse Battery (Captain Rottiger)
1st Foot Battery (Captain Bruckmann)
2nd Foot Battery (Captain Kuhlmann)
3rd Foot Battery (Captain Heise)
King’s German Corps of Engineers (All Officers)

KGL campaigns 1805 – 1815

The 1st Light Battalion took part in all major British campaigns between 1805 and 1815

1805 – Recruiting expedition to Hanover

1806 - Units of the K.G.L deployed to Ireland

1807 - Expedition to the Baltic Sea, and the siege of Copenhagen

1808 / 1809 – The KGL’s first venture to Portugal and Spain

1809 – The ignominy of the Retreat from Corunna and the fateful expedition Walcheren

1809 – 1813 - Campaign in Portugal and Spain, participation in the battles of Badajoz, Busaco, Talavera, Vittoria, San Sebastian

1811 – 1814 - Elements of the K.G.L Stationed on Sicily and the Balearic Islands, as well as Gibraltar and Southern France

1813 / 1814 - Operations in North Germany - Göhrde, Hamburg, Sehestedt

1814 / 1815 - Stationed in the Netherlands and Belgium.

1815 - Battle of Waterloo and campaign in France to Paris.

Interested in taking the King’s Shilling and living the life a KGL Rifleman in Wellington’s Army .

Potential new recruits will be expected to spend a weekend with us to see if they are suited to our way of re-enactment before joining the unit and to allow recruits to experience re-enactment with out having to go to any immediate expense. The unit possess enough spare kit to fully equip you so that you will be able to take an active a part of the event as possible

Both families and single people are made most welcome. Our members come from all over the country and from all walks of life and are united in their interest of the period.

Should you be interested in joining us or require more information please use the contacts above.

Unit Commander:
Rob Bissell – rob@robbissell.freeserve.co.uk

Unit Secretary
David Lawrence – daveandali.lawrence@virgin.net