In 1784, the regiment lost a distinguished leader, a powerful patron, and an attached and sincere friend, by the promotion of Earl Percy to the Colonelcy of the second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. The Fifth had been his first command; he had held that command for sixteen years, including the whole of the American war of independence, and in compliment to him, the regiment had received the denomination, which it still retains, of the "Northumberland" Regiment. He took leave of his old comrades in the following very complimentary and affectionate letter:—
"Alnwick, Nov. 5, 1784.
"Sir,
"His Majesty having been pleased to appoint me Colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards, in succession to His Royal Highness Prince Frederick, I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you with it: and although this new appointment is a very flattering mark of His Majesty's approbation of my services, yet I cannot help feeling the greatest regret at quitting the Fifth regiment of Foot, which I have had the pleasure of commanding for sixteen years with great satisfaction to myself, and, I trust, with some advantage to the corps. The very uncommon attention which I have always met with, both from the officers and men of the Fifth, will ever be remembered by me with the greatest pleasure; and however changed my situation may be with respect to them, my regard, esteem, and affection for them will ever continue the same, and I shall always be happy in having an opportunity of convincing them of it.
"I am, with the greatest regard,
"Yours most sincerely,
(Signed) "Percy.
"Officer commanding Fifth Foot."
Earl Percy was succeeded by Major-General the Honourable Edward Stopford, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-sixth Foot, whose commission as Colonel of the Fifth is dated 1st November, 1784.
1785
The colours of the Fifth being worn out by time and numerous honourable perforations received in action, a new set was presented to it with the usual solemnities, on St. George's day, 1785, in the parish church of Belfast, where the regiment was then stationed. In the evening the men dined sumptuously in the barrack-yard by companies, at the expense of their lately promoted Colonel, Earl Percy. In the same year, the assistance rendered by the Fifth on the occasion of a great fire which broke out in Belfast called forth the public thanks of the corporation and inhabitants.