Beaker, 2nd West India Regiment, 1830

Silver beaker probably made by Joseph Angell, hallmarked London 1830. The beaker has a badge engraved on the side with the regimental number, '2', within a garter, inscribed with the title, 'West India Regt', surmounted by a crown.

Eight West India Regiments were embodied between 24 April and 1 September 1795, raised to defend Britain's Caribbean colonies.

The harsh environment of the Caribbean took a heavy toll on European units, with disease resulting in many deaths. The War Office decided to raise regiments of black soldiers, who were believed to be more tolerant of the climate and better suited to tropical service.

Many of the first recruits were escaped American slaves who had fought for the British during the American War of Independence (1775-83). Men were also recruited locally in the Caribbean, but not in sufficient numbers to defend the British territories from the enemy.

The ranks of the new regiments were filled with Creole and African slaves, purchased from West Indian sugar plantations or from newly arrived slave ships. Between 1795 and 1807, estimates suggest 13,400 slaves were purchased for the West India Regiments.

The West India Regiments gradually reduced in number and by 1888, the two remaining West India Regiments were merged into a single regiment comprising two battalions.