Origins

In 1766, the East India Company raised a 3rd Madras European Regiment, formed of non-Indian soldiers, for service in central India. This was later merged into the 1st and 2nd Madras European Regiments in 1774.

In 1777, a new two-battalion 3rd Madras European Regiment was raised. But this only lasted until 1796, when it was disbanded once more.

The unit was again revived by Colonel George Cornish Whitlock in 1854 as the 3rd Madras (European) Infantry.

Mutiny

The 3rd Madras Europeans subsequently served with General Sir Hugh Rose’s field force during the Indian Mutiny (1857-59), winning the battle honour ‘Central India’ and fighting at Saugor, Banda and Kirwee. Like all other Company units, it was transferred to the control of the British Crown immediately after the uprising. 

In 1862, the unit was formally transferred to the British Army, with the numeral 108 in the order of precedence. However, it remained in India until December 1876, when it landed in Britain for the first time. Garrison duties at Colchester and Preston followed.

Legacy

In 1881, it was amalgamated with the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot to form The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.