On the breaking out of the French revolutionary war, the establishment of the regiment was augmented. In 1793 a British army proceeded to Flanders; but the Thirty-fourth remained in Great Britain until the middle of February, 1795, when they embarked for the West Indies.

Previous to this date the revolutionary principles, which had involved France in anarchy and crime, had extended to the French West India islands; but the planters of these colonies had been delivered from the power of the republicans by a British armament, under General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey; the Thirty-fourth Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Dickens, proceeded to St. Lucia, which island had been captured from the French in April, 1794.

The National Convention which governed France, although employed in extending revolutionary power in Europe, paid so much attention to the colonial interests of that nation, as to send an expedition to the West Indies, for the recovery of the conquered islands; and the doctrines of liberty and equality, which were disseminated in the islands, occasioned multitudes of mulattoes, blacks, and Charibbees to array themselves under the standard of republicanism, which led to a frightful catalogue of outrages and depredations. St. Lucia, where the Thirty-fourth were stationed, was among the colonies attacked by the enemy, and the regiment was engaged a short period in its defence, in which it lost several men, and Captain Dodsworth was taken prisoner, on the 18th of June. The British troops not being sufficiently numerous for the defence of the island, it was evacuated, the Thirty-fourth Regiment proceeding to St. Vincent, where republican emissaries from France had organised a rebellion, and many whites, mulattoes, blacks, and native Charibbees, were in arms against the British Government, which occasioned the regiment much severe service[13].

1796

Early in 1796, additional forces arrived at the West Indies, where Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby assumed the command of an armament to complete the deliverance of the West India islands from the power of the republicans, and to reduce to obedience the insurgents of St. Vincent and Grenada.

On the 8th of June, a body of troops landed at the island of St. Vincent, and were joined by the Thirty-fourth Foot, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Dickens, who had the honour of taking a distinguished part in the reduction of the colony, which was accomplished in a few days. Part of the regiment evinced signal gallantry at the assault and capture of the insurgent camp, on, the 10th of June, when Sir Ralph Abercromby stated in orders,—“Lieutenant-Colonel Dickens, and the troops who served under him, are entitled to a great share of praise.” The regiment had two serjeants, one drummer, and six rank and file killed; Volunteer Gordon died of his wounds; Lieutenants O’Donoughue and Georges, nine serjeants, three drummers, and sixteen rank and file wounded.

The hostile spirit long shown by the Charibbees towards the European inhabitants, occasioned the British Government to determine to remove them from the island; and the execution of the orders received for this purpose was attended with much harassing duty to the troops, in which the Thirty-fourth took part, and sustained some loss. The regiment afterwards received the thanks of Major-General Hunter, and of the principal inhabitants of the colony, for its conduct in the brigand and Charibbee war.

On the 15th of July, the regiment embarked for England, where it arrived on the 8th of October, and was stationed at Poole, in Dorsetshire, from whence recruiting parties were detached to various towns in South Britain.

1797

In the spring of 1797[14], the regiment proceeded to York, where the non-commissioned officers and soldiers evinced their loyalty and zeal for the preservation of the constitution of their country, by a contribution in aid of the war, for which they received the thanks of Lieutenant-General Scott, commanding the district. In the autumn the regiment marched to Lincoln.