Carole Divall

2nd Battalion: Cadiz

The two wings of the battalion both disembarked at Cadiz on the 3rd June.  Two sergeants and 32 rank and file have already been detached for specific duties, a sergeant and 7 privates as carpenters at Isla, 6 privates as drivers attached to the Royal Artillery, and a sergeant and 19 rank and file at the great gun exercise.  This last involves manning the guns at Fort Puntales, one of the defences of Cadiz which is currently engaged in a firefight with French-held Fort Matagorda.

Sergeant John masterson was reduced on the 4th June; Corporal William prior was promoted to sergeant on the 5th June.

Corporal Nathaniel Neale was reduced on the 7th June; John Boyes was promoted to corporal on the 8th June.

On the 11th June two men transferred to the 4th Veteran Battalion, based in Lisbon.

Captain Christopher Williamson, who remained in Ireland fifteen months ago when the battalion sailed to Portugal, is now returned as “on leave for recovery of health”.

Ensign Parke Percy Neville (yet to join the battalion) has been returned as absent without leave.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

Lieutenants French, Jones and Harper are all under sentence of a court martial, having been found guilty of being involved in a duel.  A fourth officer, Lieutenant Carden, is on sick leave while also under sentence.  All four men are waiting to find out whether their sentences of cashiering will be confirmed by the Adjutant General, and hoping that he will persuade the king to pardon them, since the court attached a recommendation of mercy to the sentence.

A recent Indian-Portuguese recruit, Antonio Rosaro, deserted on the 5th June.

John Irwin died on the 9th June.

Corporal Joseph Davison was reduced on the 9th June.  John Warthew was promoted to corporal on the 10th June.

Depot: Wakefield and recruiting in various areas

Nine recruits have been received from the recruiting parties, four men and two boys for unlimited service, and three men for limited service.

A further two men (one unlimited, one limited) and a boy (unlimited) have been approved but have not yet joined at headquarters.

Ensign Neville (given as “absent without leave” on the 1st Battalion return from Cadiz) is at the depot, waiting to take a detachment to Cadiz.

The recruiting parties are now based in Edinburgh, Sleaford, Cambridge, Enniscorthy, Tyrrell’s Pass and Galway.

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Every regiment had its bad bargains, incorrigibles for whom every form of punishment failed to correct their determination to offend, and the 30th was no exception in this respect. Continue Reading »

2nd Battalion: at sea, approaching Cadiz

The rest of the battalion set sail for Cadiz on the 18th May, some of the battalion having sailed previously. Neither wing has yet reached Cadiz, but are hoping to make landfall tomorrow and take their rlace in the defending forces.  Major Grey joined the expedition on the 23td May after an extended period of leave.

One man, Edward Barrow, transferred to the Royal Veteran Battalion on the 16th May, but has been replaced by a man, joined from England.

Private Jonathan Cart has been promoted to corporal.  He is considered particularly promising NCO material.

As the battalion finally leave Gibraltar, Surgeon John Hennen can congratulate himself that although sickness rates have been high there have been relatively few deaths.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

A temple in India

The four officers involved in the duel between Lieutenants French and Harpur remain under arrest while they wait for a court martial to be assembled.  Assistant Surgeon Griffin is still suspended, under the sentence of a court martial.

Capatain Sir Charles Burdett has been appointed to command the depot at Poonamallee.  This officer hopes to effect his promotion by transfer to another regiment and has persuaded Lt Col Wilkinson to write him a testimonial which compliments him for his zeal for the service.

There has been one loss in the past two weeks, Private Paradine Dredge, who died on the 19th May.

Sergeant Francis Garland was reduced on the 25th may, and Corporal Thomas Ward was promoted to sergeant the following day.

Two boys have enlisted, both sons of serving soldiers.

Depot: Wakefield

Recruiting with the 33rd Regiment, often known as the “Havacakes”

Four recruits have enlisted at headquarters, two men and two boys, all for unlimited service.

There have been two desertions from the depot.

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