Fencibles

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The Fencibles (from the word defencible) were army regiments raised in the United Kingdom during the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars in the late 18th century for defence of the country against the threat of invasion by the French. They had no liability for overseas service.

By the Peace of Amiens in 1802, all Fencible Regiments had been disbanded and those members willing to continue serving had been transferred to regular army regiments.

In 1775, the Royal Fencible Americans were raised by the British in North America for the same purpose.

In the early years of the 19th Century, five regiments of Fencibles were raised in Canada, Newfoundland and New Brunswick, liable for service in North America only (although the New Brunswick Fencibles volunteered for general service and became the 104th Regiment of Foot in the regular army). All but one of these regiments saw action in the War of 1812. They were disbanded in 1816, after the end of the war.

The Royal New Zealand Fencibles were recruited and raised in England for service in New Zealand during the New Zealand Land Wars during the 19th century.