In July, 1841, the regiment proceeded from Portsmouth to Windsor.
1842
On the 26th of January, 1842, new colours were presented to the SEVENTY-SECOND Highland regiment by Field-Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, the ceremony being honoured by the presence of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the King of Prussia, and other distinguished personages. The following is the Duke of Wellington’s address to the regiment on this interesting occasion:—
“Colonel Arbuthnot,[21] and you, Gentlemen, Officers, and you, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, of the SEVENTY-SECOND Highland regiment,—I have attended here this day, in compliance with the wishes of your Commanding Officer, and by permission of Her Majesty, to present to you your new colours. These colours have been consecrated by one of the highest dignitaries of our Church, and are presented to you in the presence of Her Majesty, and of her Illustrious and Royal Guest the King of Prussia, of Prince Albert, and a number of most distinguished personages. They are composed of the colours of the three nations, and bear the cipher of Her Majesty; and I have no doubt, from your previous character and your present high state of discipline, that you will guard them under every circumstance, to the utmost of your power. These Colours you are henceforth to consider as your Head-Quarters, and in every circumstance, in all times of privation and of distress, you will look to them as your rallying point; and I would again remind you, that their presentation is witnessed by the Monarch of one of the most powerful nations in Europe—a nation which boasts of an army which has heretofore been a pattern for all modern troops,—and which has done so much towards contributing to the general pacification of Europe. I have long known the SEVENTY-SECOND Highland Regiment. Half a century has now nearly elapsed since I had the pleasure of serving in the same Army with them in the Plains of Hindoostan; since that period they have been engaged in the conquest of some of the most valuable colonies of the British Crown; and latterly, in performing most distinguished services at the Cape of Good Hope. Fourteen years out of the last sixteen they have spent on Foreign service; and with only eighteen months at home for their re-formation and their re-disciplining, appear in their present high state of regularity and order. The best part of a long life has been spent by me in Barracks, Camps, and Cantonments, and it has been my duty, as well as my inclination, always to study how best to promote the health and discipline of the troops; and I have always found it only to be done by paying the strictest regard to regularity and good order, and the greatest attention to the orders of their Officers. I address myself now particularly to the older soldiers, and wish them to understand that their strict attention to their discipline, and respect to their superiors, will often have the best effect on the younger soldiers; and it is, therefore, their duty to set a good example to their juniors by so doing; and by these means alone can they expect to command the respect and regard of the community amongst whom they are employed. I have made it my business to enquire particularly, and am rejoiced to find that the SEVENTY-SECOND have always commanded that respect and regard, wherever they have been stationed, to which their high state of discipline and good order so justly entitle them. You will, I am sure, always recollect the circumstances under which these Colours are now given into your charge; having been consecrated by one of the highest dignitaries of the Church, in the presence of Her Majesty, who now looks down upon you, and of her Royal Visitor: and I give them into your charge, confident that at all times, under all circumstances, whether at home or abroad, and in all privations, you will rally round them, and protect them to the utmost of your power.”
Colonel Arbuthnot, in reply, said:—
“My Lord Duke,—It would be highly presumptuous in me, if I were to make any reply to the address which your Grace has delivered to us; but I cannot avoid stating that it is impossible for me, and indeed, I may add, out of the power of any one to express, how deeply I, my Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men, feel the high honour which has been conferred on us, by having had our Colours presented to us by the greatest Soldier the world has ever seen, and that in the presence of our Sovereign, His Majesty the King of Prussia, and Field-Marshal His Royal Highness Prince Albert.”
The regiment remained at Windsor until April, 1842, when it proceeded to Salford Barracks, from thence to Blackburn, and in September to Bolton, Lancashire.
1843
In April, 1843, the seventy-second regiment proceeded to Dublin, and in August to Templemore, marching from thence to Fermoy in September.