1803

July

Battalion Raised

2^nd Battalion 44^th raised 9^th July 1803 in Waterford, Ireland

 1810    

April  -

September

Siege of

Cadiz

April 1810, landed Cadiz and supplied a reinforcement for the fortress of Matagorda in front of the French lines until the forts situation became untenable.

December

Torres Vedras

Brigaded with the 4^th and 30^th Foot under Major-General Dunlop in the 5^th Division

1811    

March

Sabugal

As Marshal Massena retreated from Torres Vedras, the light company of the 44^th commanded by Lieutenant Pearce crossed the bridge at Sabugal and assisted in the victory over the French rear guard

May 5^th

Fuentes

d’Noro

During the battle for Furentes d’Nor, the centre companies of the 2/44^th were on the left of the line and not engaged.  However, the light company were involved and 1 officer and 4 rankers were wounded.

May 11^th

Barba del

Puerco

The French garrison escaping from Almeida were pursued by the light companies of the 30^th and 44^th under the command of Captain Jessop of the 44^th.  They caught the rear of the French column at the bridge at Barba del Puerco and induced their surrender.

1812    

April 6^th

Badajoz

The 5^th Division including the 2/44^th were tasked with storming the bastion of San Vincent during the assault on Badajoz..  After much loss of life, the bastion was taken and the first colours planted were those of the 2/44^th.  Wellington despairing of success that night was about to cease operations for the evening when he heard the bugle of the 2/44^th light company sounding the advance and knew the defences had been breached. The 2/44^th lost 2 officers, 2 sergeants and 35 rankers killed as well as 6 officers, 7 sergeants and 80 rankers wounded during the siege.

July 22^nd

Salamanca

The 5^th Division during the battle of Salamanca advanced and at approx 16:15, in conjunction with the British heavy cavalry squadrons, attacked the French 5^th Division commanded by General Maucune.  The French were routed and in the following clear up, Lieutenant Pearce of the 2/44th Light Company saw a French officer of the 62nd Regiment attempting to hide an eagle. It was seized and carried off in triumph.

October 26th

Villa Muriel

During the retreat from Burgos the 2/44th were engaged from daybreak to midnight at the river crossing at Villa Muriel, helping to ensure the army effect its retreat.  The strength of the battalion had by this stage reached only 42 men of all ranks fit for duty.

1814    

January /

February

Merxem

The 2/44th landed in Zeeland in December 1813 and was brigaded with the 37th and 69th Regiments in the 1st Brigade.  The Brigade were involved in action around the village of Merxem during January and February, but suffered no casualties.

March 8th

Bergen-op-Zoom

An attempt was made to carry the fortress of Bergen-op-Zoom by a coup-de-main and the 2/44th formed part of the 4th column along with the flank companies of the 21st and 37th. The attack was a failure but the 2/44th succeeded in fighting its way into the town and occupying 9 bastions of the fortress.  Its Colours were the first displayed on the ramparts.  In the subsequent surrender to the French, the colours of the 2/44th were permitted to escape in consideration of their gallantry that night.  The 2/44th lost 2 officers including the commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable George Carleton and had 11 officers wounded.  In total, 11 sergeants, 3 drummers and 205 rankers were taken prisoner.

1815    

June 16^th

Quatre Bras

The 2/44^th during the 100 days formed part of 5^th Division under Lieutenant General Picton and were brigaded with the 1^st, 42^nd and 92^nd Regiments in Major General Packs 9^th Brigade.  At Quatre Bras, the Division fought the Left Wing of Napoleon’s army under Marshal Ney suffering heavy losses when caught in line by French Lancers and had to about face the rear rank.  The outstanding bravery of Ensign Christie saved the Kings Colour.

June 18^th

Waterloo

The 9^th Brigade were stationed to the left of the British line and involved in the early defence against, and subsequent destruction of, d’Erlons Corps in which General Picton was killed. Over the 3 days the 2/44^th lost 2 officers and 14 NCO’s / men killed whilst 19 officers and 151 NCO’s / men wounded.