In the summer of 1789 the regiment, being then in garrison at Quebec, was relieved by the twenty-fourth foot, and embarked for England, where it landed on the 31st of August. It passed the winter at Bridgenorth, and towards the end of the year 1790 embarked on board the fleet to serve as marines, on which service it was employed a short time.
1791
1792
Embarking from Plymouth on the 17th of February, 1791, the regiment proceeded to Glasgow, and was stationed in Scotland during the year 1792.
1793
In the meantime a revolution had taken place in France, and in 1793 the republicans of that country beheaded their king. They also attacked the frontiers of Holland, when a body of British troops was sent to the Netherlands to take part in the war. The FIFTY-THIRD regiment was one of the first corps selected to proceed on foreign service; it embarked from Scotland in March, and, after landing in Flanders, advanced up the country to Tournay.
The regiment formed part of the column under the command of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, which passed the Ronelle river on the 23rd of May, and forced the French to quit several batteries of their strong camp at Famars. It was stated in the public despatch sent to England on this occasion—"The troops of the different nations displayed the utmost firmness and intrepidity. The British who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, were the fourteenth and FIFTY-THIRD regiments, with the battalion formed from the light infantry and grenadier companies, commanded by Major-General Sir Ralph Abercromby." The regiment lost four men on this occasion.
This success was followed by the siege of Valenciennes, in which service the regiment was actively employed, and had several men killed and wounded. It also sustained some loss at the storming of the outworks on the 25th of July, which was followed by the surrender of the fortress.
From Valenciennes the British troops proceeded towards Dunkirk, which place was besieged; but circumstances occurred which rendered it necessary for the army to withdraw from this position: and the FIFTY-THIRD regiment was detached to the town of Nieuport. The French made a strenuous effort to capture this place on the 24th of October, by a coup-de-main, when the FIFTY-THIRD resisted the attack of a very superior force, with heroic gallantry, and their commanding officer, Major Robert Matthews, particularly distinguished himself. The gallant conduct of the regiment on this occasion excited universal admiration. Its loss was Lieutenant Phanuel Latham and ten soldiers killed; Captain Ronald C. Fergusson and eighteen soldiers wounded. The French continued to cannonade the place several days, causing the regiment a further loss of thirteen men; but the garrison being augmented, the enemy retired. General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey, who arrived with a reinforcement, stated in his despatch—"The artillery under Captain Bothwick, with the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, whose loss has been greatest, have been very much distinguished; and I think it only an act of justice to mention in terms of the highest approbation Major Matthews (commanding the FIFTY-THIRD), whose long services and particular exertions on this occasion will, I hope, recommend him to His Majesty's notice."
The Royal authority was given for the regiment to bear the word "Nieuport" on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished conduct in the defence of that fortress.
1794