Return to Book Index W. The 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers is one of the oldest regiments in the service. It was raised in February and March, , to form the garrison of Bombay, which had been ceded to the Crown as part of the dowry of the Infanta of Portugal, on her marriage with King Charles II.
It then consisted of four companies, the establishment of each being one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, two sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, and privates, and arrived at Bombay on September 18th, , under the command of Sir Abraham Shipman. Under various titles it took part in nearly all the continuous fighting of which the history of India of those days is principally composed, being generally known as the Bombay European Regiment, until in March, , it was granted the title of 1st Bombay Fusiliers.
In the regiment was transferred to the Crown, when the word 'Royal' was added to its title, and it became known as the rd Regiment, The Royal Bombay Fusiliers. In the regiment was linked to the Royal Madras Fusiliers, whose history up to that time had been very similar to its own. By General Order 41, of , the titles of the two regiments underwent yet another change, when they became known by their present names, the 1st and 2nd Battalions Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The 2nd Battalion first left India for home service on January 2nd, , when it embarked on H. Malabar , arriving at Portsmouth Harbour about 8 a. Its home service lasted until , when it embarked for Gibraltar. In it p. On arrival at Durban, however, the difficulties had been settled for the time being, and the regiment was quartered at Pietermaritzburg until it moved up to Dundee in , just previous to the outbreak of war. The late Major-General Penn-Symons assumed command of the Natal force in , and from that date commenced the firm friendship and mutual regard between him and the regiment, which lasted without a break until the day when he met his death at Talana.
The interest he took in the battalion and his zeal resulted in a stiff training, but a training for which we must always feel grateful, and remember with kind, if sad, recollections.
