During the period the Thirty-ninth were engaged in the defence of Gibraltar, county titles were given to the several regiments of infantry; and the communication with England having become free, the Thirty-ninth received directions to assume, in addition to the numerical title, the designation of “The East Middlesex” regiment, in order that a connexion between the corps and that part of the county should be cultivated, which might be useful in promoting the success of the recruiting service. The letter conveying His Majesty’s pleasure that county titles should be conferred on the infantry, was dated the 31st of August 1782.
In November 1783 the Thirty-ninth regiment quitted Gibraltar, and on its arrival in England was for some time stationed in South Britain.
1789.
The regiment proceeded from Great Britain to Ireland in May 1789.
1790 to 1792.
During the years 1790, 1791, and 1792, the regiment continued to be stationed in Ireland.
1793.
While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, the National Convention of France declared war against Great Britain and Holland. This occurred on the 1st of February 1793, and in September following, the Thirty-ninth regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Stephen Fremantle, embarked from Ireland for Barbadoes, in order to take part in an attack on the French West India Islands.
1794.