| Raised as a 2nd Battalion to
the 24th Foot, the Regiment was placed at the disposal of
the Admiralty shortly after its formation for service with
the Fleet. Renumbered as a regiment in its own right the battalion
was redesignated as the 69th Foot in April 1758. Although
intermittent, its sea service between 1757 and 1800 was extensive.
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The Regiment saw service on
land in the West Indies, at home, in France, and in Corsica
in 1794. However, it is its service with the Fleet as marines
that is best remembered today. On the 12th April l782, the
Regiment served as the Marines in Hood's division of Admiral
Rodney's fleet at the Battle of the Saints, which secured
control of the Caribbean for the British. A detachment was
present, with Howe's fleet known at the battle as the Glorious
First of June, 1794 and, following service at sea in the Mediterranean,
detachments served with distinction with Sir John Jervis's
fleet at the Battle of St. Vincent, 14th February 1797.
The Welch Regiment in its day was unique in
being the only British regiment to carry two naval battle
honours on its regimental colour, namely a Naval Crown superscribed
12th April l782 for the Battle of the Saints, and a battle
honour scroll 'St. Vincent' to mark its services on the 14th
February 1797. The honours and uniqueness were inherited by
the Royal Regiment of Wales in 1969.
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