1824
The detachment at Nevis suffered from the unhealthy situation of the barracks, and lost seventeen men out of thirty; it was subsequently withdrawn. In October, 1824, the regiment lost Brevet Major John Wynne Fletcher.[34]
1825
In April, 1825, the regiment was augmented to ten companies, and the total establishment to eight hundred and thirty-six officers and men.
1826
The regiment was relieved from duty at Antigua, St. Kitt's, and Montserrat, in February, 1826, by the ninety-third, and sailed for England. The first division landed at Gosport on the 16th of March, the second on the 1st of April, and the last on the 6th of April.
During the seven years the regiment was in the West Indies its total loss was sixteen officers, twenty-one serjeants, one drummer, and two hundred and forty-five rank and file. It brought home four hundred and twenty rank and file, (without leaving a sick man behind;) and on the 25th of April sent out thirteen recruiting parties, twelve to different parts of England, and one to Ireland.
On the 8th of August the Adjutant-General of the Forces, Major-General Sir Henry Torrens, inspected the regiment, and expressed his approbation of its appearance and discipline, adding that he should make a most favourable report to His Royal Highness the Duke of York. In the autumn it quitted Winchester, and proceeding to Portsmouth, was employed in the duty of that garrison. At the half-yearly inspection, Major-General Sir James Lyon expressed his perfect approbation of its appearance and discipline.
The regiment was soon afterwards called upon to transfer its services to the Peninsula, the scene of many of its toils and triumphs. After Spain and Portugal had been delivered by British skill and valour from the power of Bonaparte, these kingdoms became convulsed by opposing interests, one party striving for the liberties possessed by other nations, and another for a return to ancient usages; and the granting of a constitution to Portugal, which conferred on the people privileges previously unknown in that country, was followed by internal commotions; at the same time the kingdom was menaced with an invasion from Spain. The Portuguese government applied for the aid of a body of British troops; six companies of the King's Own formed part of a force of five thousand men, commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Sir William H. Clinton, ordered for this service, and embarking from Portsmouth on the 15th of December, arrived at Lisbon towards the end of that month.