Montgomeryshire Militia Records

(M/L)

The Archives holds a small collection of Montgomeryshire militia records, which survive mostly for the Napoleonic period.  Across Wales the survival of militia records of this type is typically uncommon. 

Fear of a French invasion in the 1750s led to the Militia Bill of 1757 which was the basis for the modern army.   The task of raising the militia became the responsibility of the hundreds and parishes under the direction of the Lord Lieutenant of the county.

The period 1803-1816 was the most important and interesting when, in addition to its home defence and garrison commitments, the Militia developed into an Army of Reserve, which provided the regular army with a steady flow of trained manpower. 

The success of Wellington’s Peninsula campaign owes much to the continuous stream of reinforcements received from the Militia regiments at home.  The Montgomeryshire contribution was considerable and ensured that the county was represented in the great battles of the Peninsula campaign and at Waterloo.

Unlike the County Militia, the local Militia was not liable to serve outside their own or adjacent counties, and can be likened to the Home Guard of WWII.  Nevertheless records of the local militia are a rich source of evidence for local and family historians.

The collection held by Powys Archives consists of three minute books of Lieutenancy meetings, including sub-division meetings, 1798-1831; four regimental books covering the dates 1816-1875; and ten volumes, 1809-1829, relating to the Royal Eastern Montgomery Local Militia, including letter books, ledgers, and one interesting volume recording court martial proceedings.