What are Regular soldiers?
Regular soldiers are full-time, professional soldiers. In the 18th and 19th Century, Regulars joined the 68th Regiment or enlisted for ‘life’. Many of these men came from Ireland, especially at the time of the Irish Famine. After 1870 Regulars enlisted for only 12 years and served just 7 years ‘with the Colours’ then 5 years in the Reserve. Few men from County Durham served as Regulars in the DLI before the First World War.
