1793
While the regiment was stationed in Nova Scotia a revolution took place in France, and in 1793 the King and Queen were beheaded. The dangerous doctrines of liberty and equality extended to the French West India islands, and the Sixth were withdrawn from Nova Scotia and employed in delivering these valuable possessions from the power of the republican government.
1794
The forces engaged in this enterprise rendezvoused at Barbadoes in January, 1794, under the orders of General Sir Charles Grey, K.B. (afterwards Earl Grey), and the battalion companies of the Sixth constituted part of the third brigade, the flank companies being formed in grenadier and light infantry battalions. A landing was effected at three different points on the island of Martinico in the early part of February, and after some sharp fighting, in which the Sixth had about half a dozen men killed and wounded, this valuable possession was delivered from the power of republicanism. Sir Charles Grey observed in his public despatch:—"The spirit, unanimity, and perseverance of the navy and army never were more conspicuous; nor has more cordial co-operation ever been manifested between his Majesty's naval and land forces. In a word, the general, and field-officers, and the commanding officers of corps, have set such an example of zeal, activity, and animation in this service, which has been so laudably imitated by all the officers and soldiers of this little army, that they merit the greatest praise."
From Martinico the grenadiers under Prince Edward (afterwards Duke of Kent), the light infantry under Major-General Thomas Dundas, with the Sixth, ninth, and forty-third regiments, commanded by Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, re-embarked on the 30th of March, and arriving at St. Lucia on the 1st of April, completed the conquest of that fine island in three days. A detachment of the regiment was next employed in the reduction of the island of Guadaloupe: a determined resistance was made by the enemy, but the island was captured before the end of April, and Sir Charles Grey declared in his public despatch, that he "could not find words to convey an adequate idea, or to express the high sense he entertained, of the extraordinary merit evinced by the officers and soldiers in this service."
Although the extension of revolutionary power in Europe engaged the attention of the regicide government of France, yet the loss of these valuable colonial possessions was not regarded with indifference, and an expedition was fitted out at Brest for the recovery of the conquered islands. In June a body of French troops arrived at Guadaloupe, and the doctrines of liberty and equality were so successfully disseminated among the mulattoes and blacks, that they quickly flocked to the republican standard. The posts occupied by the British were attacked, and in October the whole island, except Fort Matilda, was re-captured by the French. This fort was defended by the troops under Major-General Prescott until December, when it was evacuated. The Sixth had several men killed and wounded in the defence of Guadaloupe, and had also Lieutenant Ekins wounded.
1795
The regiment having sustained considerable loss from the effects of climate, transferred its service-men to the ninth foot, and embarked for England, where it arrived in July, 1795, and landed at Portsmouth, from whence it proceeded into Warwickshire to recruit. In this service it was not, however, very successful, in consequence of having transferred a number of Warwickshire men to the ninth regiment in the West Indies.
The regiment marched to Southampton in September, for the purpose of embarking for Gibraltar; but the order was subsequently countermanded, and it returned to Warwickshire to re-commence recruiting.
In November of the same year Sir Ralph Abercromby was removed to the seventh dragoon guards, and the colonelcy of the Sixth was conferred on Prince William Frederick, afterwards Duke of Gloucester.