From its inception in 1803, the KGL soon expanded from a regiment of infantry to include dragoons, lancers, artillery and additional regiments of infantry. Its reputation for conducting skifull operations grew through the conflict and are dealt with elsewhere. The KGL's significance to the Royal Military Asylum was that the same privileges of admission to the institution that existed for children of rank and file soldiers of the British line were extended to the KGL.

Between 1803 and 1805, the legion grew to two battalions of light infantry, four of line infantry, two horse batteries, three foot batteries and a corps of engineers. The cavalry consisted of one regiment of heavy and one of light dragoons. All KGL regiments were subject to British Army regulations and, although commanded by their own corps of officers, they received and were given their commands in English.

On sum, the creation and fate of the KGL is as here tabulated:

Not all personnel of the KGL returned to Germany at the cessation of hostilities. Many had returned following the liberation of Hanover and some before the Battle of Waterloo. A good number remained in the British Army as members of the Foreign Veterans Battalion (see the detail below). It is this wide dispersal and break-up of the KGL that makes it difficult to match its orphans taken into the RMA with their parents. Thanks, however, to the generous assistance of Mr. Peter Towey, Vice-President, Anglo-German FHS organisation it has been possible to match some of the children with parents and units.

The children identified as having fathers in the KGL are tabulated below. The second section following is a continuation of the first section:

The listing below, provided by the Anglo-German FHS Association, is not complete. Where there is a possible match, the parent or parents of the children are identified. The eventual disposition of each child when discharged from the RMA is to be found in the preceding table of entries taken from the RMA admissions registers.

The first name, Sawkie, has not been traced through the Association's records, which are derived from the records of the National Archives, Kew. Peter Towey, Vice-president of the Anglo-German FHS Association pointed out that Sawkie is not of German origin. This fact might explain why the name does not appear in the records quoted.

Andrew Kirchner, Pte 8th Company, 1st Line Batt, KGL, 1808 WO12/1841 and wife Maria are thought to be the parents of Theresa and Elizabeth Kirchner. Note that Theresa was one of the unfortunate children 'indentured' as a cotton spinner delivered Samuel Oldknow (see the article 1815-21 Cotton Weavers).

George Heine, Pte, 8th Company, 2nd Light Infantry Batt, KGL, 1808, WO12/1841, matches George Heine, age 7½, who joined the RMA 26 January 1818. However, there is also a match with George Heine, 39, of Hameln, 1st Foreign Veterans, 24 Feb 1816, WO25/3236 & 116/26. The second match is the more likely father of the two George Heines listed. George Heine, RMA pupil, volunteered for enlistment in 1824 at age 13 in the 65th Foot.

John Henry Frantz, age 10 and Charles B. Frantz, age 6 are brothers who entered the RMA together in June 1818. Their parents are identified as Sgt Henry & Mary Franz of the KGL 1st Hussars and were listed as both living in 1818. As both boys are recorded as 'Detained' in 1820 it is obvious that they were kept by their parents or guardians when on 'leave' or 'weekend pass'. The KGL Association, however, has no record of a Sgt. Henry Franz of the 1st Hussars. Other possible candidates, who might have been promoted and transferred are: Heinrich Frantz, wachtmeister, 1st Light Dragoons, KGL;

Henry Franz, Pte, 1st Company, 4th Line Battn, KGL, 1808, WO12/11880 (unlikely);

Henry Franz, Pte, 7th Company, 1st Light Infantry Battn, KGL, 1808, WO12/11813 (also unlikely, both Franz's being infantry soldiers).

John Forbs (Fahlbusch), age 9, entered the RMA 4 July 1821, was listed as the son of Sgt. Henry Fahlbusch (deceased) 2nd German Dragoons 13 1825. The like match for John Forbs is Henry Fahlbusch, Pte, Bergmann Troop, 2nd Heavy Dragoons, KGL, 1808, WO12/11760 who could well have been promoted to sergeant during his service. John Forbs volunteered for enlistment in the 60th Foot in 1825 with the trade of tailor.

John Haass, age 9, joined the RMA in 1822, the son of Pte John & Mary Hasse. Two Pte John Haase are candidates for this boy's father: John Haase, Pte, 5th Company, 4th Line Battn, KGL, 1808 WO12/11880; and John Haase, Pte, 7th Company, 4th Line Battn, KGL, 1808, WO12/ 11880. Whichever one was the boys father took 'delivery' of the boy the next year, 1823. (Note: misspellings of names frequently occur in the registers.)

For Charles Valulbusch, age 9, in the Asylum in March 1822, his parents, entered in the register as Pte Christian (deceased) and Sarah Valulbusch there is no matching registration in the KGL records. Charles Valulbusch enlisted in the 9th Foot in 1825 at age 12.

William Danger, age 8, in the RMA in July 1822 was the son of Pte Henry (deceased) and Elizabeth Danger, 1st Foreign Veterans, 24 February 1816, WO25/3236 & 116/26.

Elizabeth Danger was registered as living in Hardegsen, Germany. Her son was 'delivered' to her in 1825.