In February, 1793, the Queen's Regiment was ordered to Dover and Folkstone to do duty over French prisoners of war. While on this duty, two of the newly-raised independent companies were added to the regiment, and a brigade of six-pounders attached to it. In August following it was embarked, with the exception of the staff, to serve as marines in the fleet under Admiral Earl Howe, and shared in the glorious victory over the French fleet on the 1st of June, 1794, which Earl Howe completely defeated, and seven of the enemy's ships were captured. Lieutenant John Neville, of the Queen's Royals, was killed on board the _Charlotte_, and Ensign Boycott was wounded on board the _Defence_. The gallant Admiral, in his public dispatch of the 2nd of June, expressed his thanks to the crews and military corps for the highly distinguished examples of resolution, perseverance, and spirit testified by them in the actions of the 28th and 29th of May, and the 1st of June.
Lieutenant-General Jones[24] died on the 20th of November, 1793, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment by Major-General Alexander Stewart.
The regiment continued to serve on board the fleet until the 24th of November, 1794, when, _with the exception of two companies_, it was re-landed, and, by the incorporation of some independent companies, augmented to twelve companies, of four serjeants, two drummers, and 100 rank and file each. Of these, the _ten companies_ on shore were formed into a _Second Battalion_, as appears by the Adjutant-General's letter of the 29th of November. Some time, however, elapsed before the regiment had either two pair of colours, or the staff of two battalions; but the corps, thus formed, was designated the _Second Battalion_, while the _two companies_, which remained doing marine duty on board the fleet, continued the nucleus of the _First Battalion_, waiting an opportunity, when their services should be no longer required as marines, to be filled up, which took place in the following year.
On the 20th of December, 1794, Major-General James Coates was appointed Colonel, vice Major-General Alexander Stewart, deceased[25].
On the 25th of December the _Second Battalion_ embarked, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Dalhousie, for the West Indies, and arrived in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, on the 29th of March, 1795.