The King’s Own served in North America until the close of 1778 when the Regiment was sent to the West Indies. While the unit was not at Yorktown in 1781, some individual veterans of the Regiment were serving there.

The commander of the Regiment’s Light Company after October 1776 was Captain the Honourable Charles Cochrane, son of the eighth Earl of Dundonald. He served with distinction & threw his cap in the air for joy when the American line broke at the battle of Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, 11th September 1777.

When the Regiment sailed for Barbadoes in 1778, Captain Cochrane remained behind in New York, having raised a group of Loyalist infantry. His detachment was soon amalgamated into the notorious British Legion. Cochrane was promoted to Major (on the provincial establishment) and given command of all the Legion infantry. He led them at the infamous battle of the Waxhaws in 1780, when Col Buford’s battalion of Virginia troops was annihilated.

Cochrane returned to England on personal business in June 1780. Two of his infant children had died. While in England he purchased a commission in the Foot Guards & returned to New York with his wife, Katherine, early in 1781. Katherine was the daughter of the famous Marine Major John Pitcairn who commanded on Lexington Green and was killed at Bunker Hill.

Cochrane was entrusted by the British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Henry Clinton, with dispatches for Lord Cornwallis after the latter was trapped at Yorktown by Washington and the French naval expedition.

Slipping into a small boat off the Virginia Capes, Cochrane passed through the entire French fleet and delivered his dispatches (Oct.10th 1781). He was immediately appointed an aide-de-camp by Cornwallis. But on October 18th this brave and resourceful officer met an untimely end.

Cornwallis and some aides were inspecting the lines when a cannonball smashed Cochrane’s head. He was 32. Lord Cornwallis was reportedly covered by this young officer’s blood and brains. Within hours he agreed to surrender. Experts say Cornwallis might have been able to hang on at Yorktown for a few more days or weeks. It is interesting to speculate whether Cochrane’s death provided a psychological trigger prompting Cornwallis to surrender, and effectively end the war.

Cochrane's widow, Katherine, had now lost her husband and father to the American war, and had besides lost two infant children. She re-married in 1789 and lived on till 1835.

Cochrane was well-loved by his young brother, Alexander, who pursued a successful career in the Royal Navy. His grudge against Americans led to an appointment in North America during the war of 1812. In 1814, he ordered the bombardment of Ft McHenry (prompting the writing of the Star Spangled Banner), and he landed the 4th Foot to go burn the White House. He then led the naval component of the British expedition against New Orleans.

The anniversary of Cochrane's death is October 18th.