Carole Divall

2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

[Pictute to be added]

The problem of sickness is getting worse.  As well as the NCOs and men sick in quarters or in the regimental hospital, Lieutenant Adamson, recently promoted from ensign, has been given leave of absence for recovery of health.  Assistant Surgeon Purdon, who was left with the depot in Kinsale, has also reported sick.

Lieutenant Machell is reported to be at Lisbon.

Lieutenant Forbes, having returned from Brazil, where he has been with the British Legation, has effected his transfer into the 10th Garrison Battalion (with Captain Spawforth, who has still to join the depot).

Five sergeants, Henry Hunt, William Murfin, William Brumish, Joseph Colville and William Wooden, arrived from Portugal on the 4th July, the same day that Thomas Chesterton re-joined from the regimental hospital.

Two corporals, Joseph Newbury and Terence O’Neil, were reduced on the 1st July.  On the same day, Corporal Philip Lynch re-joined from the regimental hospital.  John Watson was promoted from private to corporal.

The strength of the battalion (NCOs and privates) is 580, although the paper strength is over 800.  This includes the 103 men at the depot, various men on detached duties, and the 2 sergeants and 101 men being held by the French as prisoners of war.  (These were the men on board the transport Jenny, which was wrecked at Gravelines three years ago.)

1st Battalion: in Trichinopoly

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Ensign Todd is still on leave for recovery of his health. Lieutenant Jones is now into the final month of his six month suspension from rank and pay under sentence of a court martial.

On 6th July Lieutenant Nicholson, having requested to stand a court martial in order to clear his name, wrote a letter to Major Vaumorel in which he offered to resign from the regiment in return for all charges against him being dropped. (Captain Chambers wrote a similar letter.) According to surgeon Pearse, who has been treating Nicholson on a daily basis for a serious liver complaint, this condition was being made worse by the stress of the court martial.

Before the letters are delivered to Major Vaumorel the officers of the mess have decided to assemble to settle some points of order. Lieutenant Charles Cunningham has agreed to act for Nicholson and Chambers in this increasingly unpleasant affair.

Depot: Wakefield.

[Picture to be added]

The detachment from Kinsale has now reached Wakefield but as yet there is no sign of Captain Spawforth who should be in command.