1741
On the prospect of Great Britain being involved in the war on the Continent, the regiment was held in readiness to embark for foreign service, and in July, 1741, it pitched its tents on Lexden-heath, in the county of Essex, where three regiments of horse, four of dragoons, and seven of foot, were encamped, and held in readiness to proceed abroad.
1742
1743
In the summer of 1742, sixteen thousand men proceeded to Flanders, under the Earl of Stair, to support the house of Austria: the Thirteenth regiment was one of the corps which proceeded to Flanders, where it remained in quarters until the early part of the following year. On the 31st March, 1743, war was declared against France, and the troops which the King of Great Britain had assembled in the Netherlands began their march for Germany. The Thirteenth was engaged in operations in the territory bordering on the Rhine, and after several movements it was encamped at Aschaffenburg, where King George II. and His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland joined the army.
On the 27th of June, the troops commenced their march for Hanau, when a body of French crossed the river Maine, and formed for battle in a strong position near the village of Dettingen. The allied army formed for action under a heavy cannonade, and about midday the contest commenced. The Thirteenth were sharply engaged, and had the honour to signalize themselves under the eye of their sovereign, who evinced great personal bravery, and stimulated the soldiers to deeds of heroism by his presence and animating language. The French army was defeated and driven across the river Maine with severe loss, and the allied army stood triumphant on the field of battle, having in its possession many colours, standards, prisoners, and other trophies indicating a complete victory.
Twenty-one rank and file of the Thirteenth foot were killed on this occasion; and Ensigns Ogilbie and Gray, one drummer, and twenty-nine rank and file, wounded.
From the field of battle, the army continued its march, on the following day, to Hanau, where the regiment was encamped several weeks: it afterwards crossed the Rhine, and was engaged in operations in West Germany; but repassed the Rhine in October, and returned to Flanders for winter quarters.
1744
In May, 1744, the regiment again took the field, and served the campaign of that year under Field-Marshal Wade: it was encamped between Asche and Alost, and afterwards on the banks of the Scheldt. Towards the end of the campaign it penetrated the territory subject to France as far as Lisle, but returned to Ghent for winter quarters.
1745