The Head-quarters and right wing of this Battalion marched from Chester to Birkenhead on May 31; and embarked there on board the ‘Urgent’ Troop-ship for Portsmouth, where they landed on June 4, and proceeded to Farnborough. From whence they marched to Cove Common, where the Battalion encamped.
The Battalion was thus reunited for the first time since its arrival in England, its detachments having been widely separated; and for more than a year its two wings having been stationed 120 miles from each other.
This Battalion, as well as the 2nd, formed part of the flying column to Bramshill Park, mentioned above.
On September 4 the Battalion removed from the camp at Cove Common, and occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks at Aldershot.
On April 1, 1870, the establishment of the 1st Battalion, then, at Montreal, was reduced to
| Field Officers. | Captains. | Lieutenants.[323] | Staff. | Staff-Sergeants. |
| 4[324] | 10 | 14 | 3 | 9 |
| Sergeants. | Buglers. | Corporals. | Privates. | |
| 40 | 21 | 40 | 460 |
On July 7 one company proceeded on detachment to Hochelaga.
On August 30 two companies proceeded, by the steamer ‘Montreal,’ to Quebec, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ on the following morning. And on the 31st the Head-quarters and remaining companies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Manningham Buller, embarked at Montreal on board the steamboat ‘Quebec’; and arriving at Quebec, went on board the ‘Tamar,’ which started in the evening, and anchored a few miles down the river at nightfall. On the following morning she proceeded on her course; but owing to heavy fogs and bad weather on September 3, did not get clear of the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the next day. After which the weather was favourable during the voyage, which ended on the 16th, when the ‘Tamar’ arrived at Portsmouth about ten A.M. Here orders were received to proceed to Gravesend, and at three P.M. she started, arriving there at midday on the 17th. But the Battalion did not disembark until the 19th (Monday), when they landed, partly in the ship’s boats, and partly in a small steamer; and proceeded at once to Woolwich, where they occupied the Royal Marine barracks.
On August 24 the establishment of the Battalion was increased to 760 privates, other ranks remaining as before.
The 2nd Battalion remained in the North Camp, Aldershot; and on February 1 was equipped with the valise instead of the knapsack.