On the 25th of December the first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST disembarked at Deal, and marched to Brabourne-Lees barracks, in Kent, where it was again brigaded with the sixty-eighth and eighty-fifth light infantry, and was occupied in putting itself in an efficient state for active service.
Upon the SEVENTY-FIRST being made light infantry, they were permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as might not be inconsistent with their duties as a light corps. A correspondence on the subject took place between Lieut.-Colonel Pack and the Adjutant-General in April 1810, and the following reply was received from head-quarters.
“Having submitted to the Commander-in-Chief your letter of the 4th instant, I am directed to state, that there is no objection to the SEVENTY-FIRST being denominated _Highland Light Infantry Regiment_, or to their retaining their pipes, and the Highland garb for the pipers; and that they will, of course, be permitted to wear caps according to the pattern which was lately approved and sealed by authority.[25]
“I have, &c. “(Signed) WILLIAM WYNYARD, “_Deputy Adjutant-General_.
“_Lieut.-Colonel Pack,_ “_71st Regiment._”
On the 8th of May 1810 the first battalion marched to Deal barracks, where every exertion was continued to render it fit for active service. Here the battalion was deprived of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Pack, who was appointed a brigadier in the Portuguese army under Marshal William Carr Beresford, afterwards General the Viscount Beresford.
Nothing of moment occurred until the early part of September, when the battalion received orders to hold six companies in readiness for foreign service. They were prepared accordingly by drafting into them, from the companies which were to remain at home, the most effective officers and men, several not having recovered from the Walcheren fever.
The following were the companies selected and completed for foreign service, namely:--
1st, or Capt. M^cIntyre’s, 2d, or “ Hall’s, 3d, or “ Adamson’s, 4th, or “ Walker’s, 6th, or “ Spottiswoode’s, 10th, or “ Lewis Grant’s.
They consisted of two field officers, six captains, fifteen lieutenants, seven ensigns, four staff, thirty-eight serjeants, twelve drummers, and six hundred and three rank and file.