Historical record of the Thirteenth, First Somerset, or the Prince Albert's Regiment of Light Infantry / containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1685, and of its subsequent services to 1848.

by Richard Cannon

1816

In January, 1816, an order was received for the reduction of the regiment to ten companies, of sixty rank and file each.

1817

On the 24th of May, 1817, new colours were presented to the regiment, on the parade in Fort Regent-square, Jersey. The colours bore on them the “Sphinx,” with the words “Egypt” and “Martinique,” and were consecrated by the Rev. George Lawrence, garrison chaplain, who delivered a very learned and suitable address to the regiment on the occasion.

In June of the same year, the establishment was augmented to nine hundred and seven officers and soldiers.

The regiment embarked from Jersey in August, and proceeded to the islands of Guernsey and Alderney. Its conduct, while at Jersey, had excited the admiration of the inhabitants and civil authorities of the island; and on its departure, a numerous public meeting of the inhabitants and functionaries of the parish of Saint Heliers, expressed the high sense they entertained of the distinguished merits of the corps, which was communicated to the commanding officer, Colonel Sir William Williams, by the principal constable of St. Helier. The states of the island also passed an act, setting forth their estimation of the discipline and orderly behaviour of the regiment;[11] which was communicated to the commanding officer, by his Excellency Major-General H. M. Gordon. In acknowledging the receipt of the act of the states, Colonel Sir William Williams observed, ‘To possess the good wishes of those with whom a soldier resides must ever be the most pleasing reflection, but particularly where, in the performance of his duty, approval emanates from so high and so respectable an assembly as the states of Jersey; it thence becomes a source of the most heart-felt and lasting gratification, and will be recorded, and handed down, as one of their dearest memorials. In communicating the contents to the officers of the Thirteenth regiment, I am to request you may accept their thanks; they being actuated with the most fervent wishes for the prosperity of the island.’

1818
1819

The regiment remained at the islands of Guernsey and Alderney during the two following years. In October, 1818, the establishment was reduced to seven hundred and forty-six officers and soldiers. In May and June, 1819, the regiment embarked by detachments for Portsmouth.

On quitting Guernsey, the following letter was received, dated 4th May, 1819:—

‘Sir,