On March 4 she arrived at St. Vincent, where she remained till the 7th. On the 16th the green clothing was taken into wear again, and on the next day the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Gibraltar. Here the Battalion was welcomed by Major-General Somerset, an old Rifleman, who came off to see them, and during their stay showed them every attention. They left Gibraltar on the 20th. These stoppages had been made, and the rate of speed diminished purposely, in order not to bring the men from so hot a climate into the coldest portion of an English spring.
However, the ‘Himalaya’ reached Spithead about half-past two in the morning of the 26th. She came into harbour in the forenoon; the crews of the various ships manned the yards and cheered, their bands playing ‘Ninety-five.’ The Battalion landed at the Dock-yard Wharf about half-past one, many officers of the 1st Battalion (then stationed in the Gosport Forts) and some old Riflemen being assembled to greet them. They marched thence through streets decorated with flags, and every disposable expression of welcome, to the Governor’s Green,’ where they were welcomed by Lieutenant-General Lord Templetown, Commanding at Portsmouth, the Mayor, and others. Thence they marched to the station, where a repast had been provided for them. They left by special train for Winchester, where an ovation awaited them. A welcome from the Mayor and Corporation at the railway station; streets decorated with every flag, flower, and allusive ornament that could be put into requisition; and escorts of County Yeomanry and City Volunteers.
On the 28th the Battalion was inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who expressed himself much satisfied with the appearance of the Battalion. After they had marched past and formed square, His Royal Highness addressed some kind words to them; congratulating them on their conduct in the field and on their endurance on the march to and from Coomassie, adding that from what he then saw of their appearance, he considered that they were even now fit to go anywhere.
On the 30th the Battalion proceeded to Windsor, where the troops which had been employed in the Ashantee expedition were reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen. The Prince of Wales (Colonel-in-Chief) and His Royal Highness Prince Arthur met the Battalion at the Windsor Station, and in a few kindly words the Colonel-in-Chief welcomed the Battalion home. His Royal Highness marched past at the head of the Battalion. Sir Archibald Alison also addressed the Riflemen, and complimented them on the soldierlike qualities they had shown in the field while under his orders. The Battalion returned to Winchester that night at nine by rail.
Sir Archibald Alison issued the following order on resigning command of the Brigade. After stating that he had amply complimented the 42nd Regiment in an order on board the ‘Sarmatian’ on his return voyage, he proceeds: ‘Before now taking leave of the other regiments of the Brigade, he desires to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn, commanding 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and to Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, commanding 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, his appreciation of the gallantly displayed by their regiments in the field, and his perfect satisfaction with the excellent conduct which characterised them in camp and on the line of march. No words of his could convey more to these regiments than that, in his opinion, they fully sustained at Amoaful and Ordahsu, and throughout the campaign, the historical reputation with which they entered it. In resigning his connection with the Brigade, the Brigadier-General desires to express his warm acknowledgment of the consistent support he has received from all ranks.’
An order was also received from His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, conveying Her Majesty’s approval of the conduct of her troops engaged on the Gold Coast.
On May 16 Sergeant Armstrong and Private Taylor received the Medal for distinguished conduct in the field from the hands of the Queen at Windsor; the former for having with some unarmed natives repelled an attack, and having himself killed two Ashantees on February 2, in the advance from Amoaful; and Taylor for his gallant conduct at Ordahsu, which I have already mentioned.
On May 19 the Battalion, consisting of 20 officers and 493 of other ranks, left Winchester at half-past five in the morning, by rail for Aldershot, and took part, with the 1st and 3rd Battalions, in a review before the Czar of Russia. They returned to Winchester the same evening, arriving at ten o’clock.
On October 24 the Battalion was armed with the Martini-Henry rifle.