2/1X in the Peninsula

The success of the Regiment in recruiting from the militia in August 1799 led to the establishment of a 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Regiment and they all went on active service to North Holland and Northern Germany. This was the famous campaign of the Grand ol' Duke of York and we were part of the 10,000 men!

In 1800 the three battalions of the Regiment returned to Britain. Later in the year they all joined Sir James Pultney's expedition to France and Spain. The next few month seemed to be spent sailing around the French and Spanish coasts looking for somewhere to land! Eventually they all arrived safely back in England.

After Peace of Amiens the 2nd and 3rd battalions were disbanded, the 3rd was never resurrected but the 2nd quickly came back in October 1804 after the declaration of war against France again. For the next two years it acted primarily as a recruiting organisation, seeking recruits, training them to the required standard and then transferring them to the 1/IX.

In May 1808 the 2/IX transferred to Canterbury barracks which was to be the regimental depot throughout the Peninsula campaign. In July 1808 the 2/IX embarked at Ramsgate to sail with Sir Harry Burrand to the Peninsula, and to fight at the battle of Vimeiro.

After the battle the 2/IX was sent as part of the garrison back to Lisbon. For the next few months they found themselves stationed in various fortifications around that part of Portugal. In December 1808 they were sent as part of General Mackenzie's force that was intended to strengthen the garrison at Cadiz. However political considerations intervened and by 12th March the troops were back in Lisbon. Shortly afterwards the 2/IX was transferred to the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley and they marched as part of the 7th Brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Cameron of the 9th to the Battle of the Douro where they fought as part of Rowland Hill's Division.

Wellington now decided that the 2/IX should be ordered to the garrison at Gibraltar and these orders were posted on 15th June 1809. The battalion then set sail on 18June and arrive in Gibraltar on 2nd July

In July 1809 2/IX were on garrison duty in Gibraltar when the Light company was ordered, along with those of 30th and 47th Regiments, a total of probably 250 men, to the town of Tarifa opposite Gibraltar on the other side of the Bay of Gibraltar. The town was being threatened by the French. They remained in Tarifa until September 1809. The records in the PRO at Kew show that there were relatively few casualties but a number of soldiers died there presumably of disease.

In February 1811 the 2/IX were ordered to bring their light company up to frill strength and then it was sent with the grenadier company to join Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham's expedition to try to lift the blockade of Cadiz. With the two flank companies of the 2/IX in Browne's Battalion (Lieutenant-Colonel Browne was from 1/28th) were the flankers from 1/28th and 2/82nd The operation was under the command of a Spanish General and on 5th March Browne's troops were driven off the hill of La Barrosa by Victor's French and joined up with General Graham. Graham decided to try to retake the hill but in the action Browne's troops took very heavy casualties, Graham's Guards battalion came to support them and they drove the French off the hill. During this action the 2/87th succeeded in capturing one of the Imperial Eagles carried by the French as colours. This action is considered by the IX Regiment as one of its bravest.

In April 1812 some of the 2/IX went briefly to Ceuta in North Africa to help the Spanish defend the town against Moorish troops.

In early 1813 the 2/IX was sent back to Canterbury, the Regimental depot, after transferring over 400 men to 1/IX. It did not see active service again and on 24th December 1815 it was disbanded.