The York Chasseurs: A Condemned Regiment of George III

by Pete Lines

Paperback 324 pages 15 illustrations in black and white
ISBN 978 1 903427 50 7

The book
Formed on 13 November 1813 from the ‘Better Class of Culprit and Deserter’ and confined aboard Isle of Wight military prison ships, this expendable corps of ‘Serial Deserters’ was dispatched to survive or die in the pestilential islands of Barbados, St Vincent, Jamaica, Grenada, Tobago and Guadeloupe, where 26 per cent successfully deserted and 30 per cent perished.

In this unique study Pete Lines examines in detail every aspect of the regiment: its composition, its involvement in the capture of the island of Guadeloupe; the desertions and punishments; and its eventual disbandment in Canada.  

Not only does this book shed light on a forgotten episode of British military history, profiles of every officer and soldier make it an invaluable work of reference for family historians and military enthusiasts alike.

The author
Pete Lines served as a Chief Petty Officer for twenty-two years in the Royal Navy and later worked for sixteen years in civilian management. He retired at fifty-seven following a triple by-pass, which he now considers a blessing, as he was able to acquire a degree in Historical Studies from the University of Portsmouth.