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The Second Battalion was formed at Chatham, and deployed to Portsmouth in July 1812. It consisted of six companies under the command of Major James Malcolm. On 15 August, the battalion embarked aboard HMS Latona (1st and 2nd companies) and HMS Fox (3rd to 6th companies),[6][7] to deploy in Northern Spain under the command of the squadron of Home Riggs Popham. The battalion disembarked at Zumaia on 18 August, and joined up with Spanish forces under the command of Francisco de Longa. The battalion re-embarked on 20 September, and were landed at Santander on 28 September.

Further reinforcements for the battalion disembarked soon after Diadem arrived on 29 November at Santander,[Note 1] resulting in two companies being added and another company of artillery being formed.[9] Some of the reinforcements had returned from garrison duty on the island of Anholt, Denmark.

On 21 December the 2nd battalion sailed from Santander, along with the left wing of the 1st battalion, aboard Latona, arriving in Cawsand Bay on 4 January.[10] Diadem carried the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th & 10th companies,[11] HMS Iris carried the 2nd Battalion's artillery company (Captain Parke) and supplemental company (Captain Wilkinson),[Note 2] with the remainder of the battalion (5 companies) embarked upon the transports Whitton and Mariner, leaving the town to Spanish forces commanded by General Mendizabal. The surviving muster lists show the Marines disembarked at Plymouth on 7 January 1813.

The deployment of both battalions in Northern Spain forced the French to redeploy 30,000 men, away from the Salamanca campaign. The Duke of Wellington was so impressed that he requested they would be placed under his command, but was rebuffed by the Admiralty.[4]

Given the heterogeneous nature of the battalion, and its deployment in Spain immediately after inception, Major Malcolm felt that the 2nd Battalion was lacking in discipline.[9] He requested that the 2nd Battalion be deployed to the barracks at Berry Head Fort in Torbay, so that drilling of the unit would result in better discipline and cohesion. The 2nd Battalion was dispatched to Berry Head on 14 January aboard HMS Diadem[11] and HMS Latona, having boarded on 12 January. Within a month of the battalion's arrival in Berry Head Fort, the intensive drill bore fruit.


We're a new regiment looking for members to fill our ranks! We have players from both NA and EU. We play as line infantry, skirmishers, marines, artillery, and we also have a naval crew! If you're interested in joining, either leave a comment down below, or add one of the Moderators/Admins of this steam group!

Hope to see you there!