The 1st Battalion proceeded by rail from Dover to Aldershot on June 5, 1873, and were encamped on Rushmoor bottom until July 28, when they occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks.
On June 24 the Battalion proceeded by rail to Egham, and thence marched to Windsor Park and took part in a review before Her Majesty and the Shah of Persia. On this occasion His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief marched past in the uniform of the Regiment, at the head of the Battalion. After the conclusion of the review they returned by the same route to their camp at Rushmoor which they reached about ten P.M.
The 2nd Battalion remained at Birr, occasionally relieving the detachments; and in June the establishment was reduced from 820 to 700 rank and file.
On July 31 the Battalion and the detachments proceeded by rail to the Curragh for the autumn manœuvres, and encamped. The Battalion returned to Birr on August 29, replacing the detachment at Portumna, the others being discontinued.
On September 3 the Battalion received orders to prepare for service on the Gold Coast of Africa, in the expedition against Ashantee under Sir Garnet Wolseley.
Colonel Glyn having been appointed Adjutant-General of Auxiliary Forces in Ireland, Lieutenant-Colonel Warren took command of the Battalion.
On November 13 they were inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Steele, K.C.B., previous to embarkation; and on the next day they received definite orders to hold themselves in readiness to embark on any day after the 16th.
Accordingly, on the 21st, the Battalion proceeded by wings, by railway from Birr to Cork. The left wing, under the command of Major J. Plumtre Glyn, started from Birr at three in the morning of that day; and the right wing, under Major Stephens, at half-past three for Cork, where they were to embark. Colonel Warren and the Staff of the Battalion accompanied the left wing.
The climate of the Coast of Africa necessitating the disuse of their European clothing, the men and officers were provided with two grey frocks, a pair of grey tweed trousers, a pair of duck trousers, two flannel shirts, two flannel belts, a pith helmet with puggaree attached, and a pair of canvas gaiters.