The period for the return of the regiment to Europe, having arrived, the following statement appeared in General Orders, dated Madras, 6th March, 1819,—“The Lieut.-General has traced with gratification, the well-earned tributes of applause, bestowed by successive governments, and commanders, in commendation of the numerous instances of gallantry and efficiency displayed during the active and varied service in which His Majesty’s Eighty-sixth, or Royal County Down Regiment of Foot, has been engaged since its arrival in the East Indies; and Colonel Fraser, the officers, and men, are requested to accept His Excellency’s thanks for the correct and orderly conduct of the corps.”
In general orders by government, dated the 20th of March, 1819, it was stated,—
“The meritorious conduct of His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and Eighty-sixth Regiment of Foot, in every situation where they have been employed during the long period of their services in India, has been brought under the notice of government, in a particular manner, by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, as establishing for them strong claims to its consideration; and the honourable mention which has been made by his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, has been coupled with the expression of his Excellency’s wish, that their services may meet with the same acknowledgment, on their approaching departure, as, in general orders, dated 27th August, 1805, and 11th October, 1806, marked the close of the distinguished career of His Majesty’s Seventy-fourth Regiment, and Nineteenth Light Dragoons, then returning to England; concurring entirely in the commendations which His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and Eighty-sixth Foot, have received from the Commander-in-Chief, and entertaining the same high sense of their merits and services, the Governor in Council is pleased to extend, to the officers of those corps, the indulgence recommended by his Excellency, and, accordingly, directs that a donation of three months’ full batta be passed to them on the occasion of their embarkation for Europe.”
Five hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and soldiers having volunteered to remain in India, transferring their services to other corps, the remainder of the regiment sailed for England in April, and in October anchored off the Nore, where the ship was placed under quarantine, Lieutenant John Campbell and several soldiers having died during the voyage.
On the 23rd of October, the regiment landed at Gravesend, after an absence from England of twenty-three years and four months, bringing back only two individuals, Major D. Marston and Quarter-Master R. Gill, who embarked with it in June, 1796, the latter as a private.
The regiment joined the depôt companies at Canterbury, where Lieut.-Colonel John Johnson succeeded to the lieut.-colonelcy, on the promotion of Colonel Fraser, C.B., to the rank of major-general.
1820
During the winter, the regiment marched to Chichester, sending two companies to Brighton, and in April, 1820, it was removed to Weedon and Northampton, where two hundred and fifty recruits joined from Ireland.
1821
1822
In February, 1821, the regiment proceeded to Chatham; in October it embarked at Bristol, for Ireland, and, after landing at Waterford, occupied quarters at that place, having nine detached parties, until April, 1822, when the head-quarters were removed to Naas, and in July, the regiment occupied Richmond barracks, Dublin.