| British Legion | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Garibaldian_volunteers..jpeg) Volunteers of the British Legion | |
| Active | 1860–1861 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Engagements | Expedition of the Thousand |
The British Legion (Italian: Legione Britannica) was a military corps composed of English and Scottish volunteers, who in 1860 joined Giuseppe Garibaldi during the Expedition of the Thousand and fought for the unification of Italy, together with the Italian Redshirts, as part of their Southern Army against the Bourbon Army of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Officially they were "Garibaldi Excursionists" to avoid any problems of diplomatic appearance and were recruited by Major Styles, who appears in the engraving wearing his uniform and medal of the Crimean War.[1]
The departure of "The British Legion" was financed by the "Garibaldi Special Fund Committee", one of the British organizations supporting the unification of Italy.[2]
- ^ "The Illustrated London News". Leighton. 20 October 1860 – via Google Books.
- ^ Archives, The National. "The Discovery Service". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk.