The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax during the year 1828, the various detachments mentioned in [p. 228] rejoining the Head-quarters in May, June and August.
On July 29 His Royal Highness, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.) on his visit to Plymouth as Lord High Admiral, reviewed the Depôt companies of both Battalions, with the other troops in garrison.[186] The day was very unfavourable, the rain falling in torrents; but His Royal Highness went through the review, which occupied some hours. Addressing the Riflemen, he traced the history of the Regiment and its principal deeds of arms from its foundation (as was his wont on such occasions), concluding with these words: ‘And what more can I say to you, Riflemen, than that wherever there has been fighting you have been employed, and wherever you have been employed you have distinguished yourselves?’
Immediately after this review the Depôt companies embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ transport at Devonport, and on the 31st landed at Gosport, and occupied Forton barracks. On December 21 they furnished detachments to Tipner and Hilsea.
No change (except the relief of detachments) took place in the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion, which remained at Malta; but its Depôt companies were (with those of the 1st Battalion) at Devonport during the spring and summer; and in September were stationed at Portsmouth; but before the end of the year returned to Devonport.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax until October 1829, on the 17th and 18th of which month they embarked in the ‘Ann,’ ‘Amelia,’ and ‘Wellington,’ transports; and sailing on the 21st, arrived at St. John’s, New Brunswick, where they disembarked on the 29th and 31st. They immediately furnished detachments to Fredericton and St. Andrew’s; and on November 7 the Head-quarters with Captain Hope’s company embarked on board the ‘St. George’ steam-boat, and moving up to Fredericton, occupied the new barracks with the detachment of the Battalion already there.
On March 13 the Depôt companies calling in the detachments at Tipner and Hilsea, moved to Cambridge barracks, Portsmouth. On August 11 they embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ and disembarked at Dover on the 13th, where they occupied the Western heights barracks.
The 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during this year, changing its quarters on December 18 from the St. Elmo to the Floriana barracks.
During the year 1830 the 1st Battalion remained at St. John’s and Fredericton, New Brunswick; and the Depôt continued in its quarters at Dover.
The only change in the quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion this year was their removal from Floriana barracks to the Cottinera district on December 20.
The Depôt companies moved about April to Deal and soon afterwards to Dover, where they were quartered with the Depôt of the 1st Battalion.