  The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed on October 7th, 1748, and the Greys returned to England, and were stationed at Leicester, Coventry, and Warwick. By the usual mean and miserable policy, or want of any policy, the Regiment was at once reduced to 285 officers and men! (In time of peace, always take care not to be prepared for war.) In December, 1749, the Regiment went into quarters in Kent, and was employed on revenue duty on the coast. In 1750 they were in Sussex and Devon, and in 1751 in Dorsetshire. The Regiment marched into Lancashire in the spring of 1753; with detached troops in Somersetshire, where it was stationed during the following year; and in the spring of 1755 proceeded to Northampton and other towns in that part of the kingdom. Complications now coming to a point about British and French possessions in North America, the Regiment's establishment was made up to 357 of all ranks, and very soon a light troop was added, in the same way as light companies had been added to regiments of infantry. In the summer of 1755 the Greys occupied quarters in Herefordshire and in the winter months were dispersed in cantonments in Kent. In the next spring they marched into Surrey, and afterwards into Dorsetshire, and in June encamped with several other corps near Blandford. In April, 1757, they went into cantonments in Essex, staying there four months, and then going into Suffolk. In October four troops proceeded to Newmarket. An expedition was now made ready for a descent on the coast of France, and the "light troop," commanded by Captain Francis Lindsay, was ordered on this service. The following is from the "Weekly Journal," 23 May, 1758:— "The nine troops of Hussars (Light Dragoons) belonging to the nine regiments of cavalry, are now preparing to go upon this expedition. The flower On June 5th, 1758, the Brigade landed on the coast of France about nine miles from St. Malo, and on the 7th set fire to the shipping in St. Malo. The troops having succeeded in this, now came home again. In August the Greys light troop formed part of another expedition which captured Cherbourg. After returning to England the light troop was quartered in towns on the coast of Sussex. The Greys were among the troops sent to Germany under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick in the year 1758, at which time the Duke of Argyle commanded the Regiment. These troops landed at Embden on the 20th of July and were headed by the Duke of Marlborough and the Lord George Sackville. Still did their gallantry and good conduct preserve to them the high opinion which the Regiment had so justly merited in every conflict to which its squadrons were exposed. The following notes are from a volume (belonging to the Regiment) lettered outside "Regimental Orders, 1759." Inside:— "Copied from an old Regimental Order Book in possession of R. B. Wardlaw Ramsay, Esqre., of Whitehill, Laeswale. "Piershill Barracks. "The Major recommends it to the commanding officers of Troops, that before they clear their men, they will stop from each man for a pair of new shoes to carry into the field with them, as he apprehends those they have will be wore out before that time. "Wever, 22nd January "A stiver to be stopped from each man for having his hatt cocked, which the Major hopes the men wont be against paying as it is for their own advantage. "Wever, 25 January "The Troops to send the Bread waggons for their Hatts and Gloves on Monday next, and no man to presume to alter the Cock, otherwise it will be done over again, and he be obliged to pay every time it is not in shape. "Tule, 6 January "George. Farrier of Captain Douglas's Troop to be sent to Head Quarters to cock all the New Hats. "The men not to dispose of their old Hats, as they will serve for the Nosebags.
"It is Lord George Sackville's orders that for the future, the officers and men of the Cavalry carry their swords upright, with the hilt resting on the Right Pistol, that the Regiment march by Sub-Divisions, and the officers strictly keep their posts. These to be standing orders for the whole British cavalry for the future.
"From the "London Gazette," Saturday, September 6th, 1760. "Hague, Septr. 1st. "By the last letters from Prince Ferdinand's Army, which are of the 28th past, we have received information that the French under Marshall Broglio, left their camp upon the Dymel in the night between the 21st and 22nd, marching off by their right, and that the Hereditary Prince crossed that river on the 22nd at the head of 12,000 men, in order to gain the left flank of the enemy. That the advanced troops of that corps came up with their rearguard near Zierenberg; and that, after the light troops on each side had been engaged with different success, the Hereditary Prince arrived in person with the Greys and Iniskilling Dragoons, supported by the English Grenadiers, and put an end to the affair in a quarter of an hour, by forcing the enemy to a precipitate flight with great loss." The "London Gazette," Saturday, September 13th, to Tuesday, September 16th, 1760. "Prince Ferdinand's Head Quarters at Buhne, Sept. 9. "On the 5th past, a very considerable body of the enemy, amounting to 20,000 men and upwards, attempted to make a general forage in the neighbourhood of Geismar; But Prince Ferdinand, having received previous intelligence of their design, crossed the Dymel early in the morning of that day, and went in person with a corps of troops to oppose them; and though His Serene Highness was much inferior in number to the French, yet he took his precautions so well, by occupying some advantageous heights, and placing artillery there, that he rendered the enemy's attempt totally ineffectual, notwithstanding a large portion of their Army was in motion to cover the foragers. "On the morning of that day likewise, the Hereditary Prince (upon intelligence that the volunteers of Clermont and DauphinÉ, consisting each, when compleat, of 600 Horse and 600 foot, were cantoned at Zierenberg; and, from the very small distance of the French camp at Dierenberg, thought themselves in perfect security) went from his camp at Warbourg to Maltzberg, which is not much more than a league from Zierenberg, without seeing any of their Posts, or meeting any of their Patroles. This made His Serene Highness resolve on an attempt to surprise them; for which purpose he ordered five Battalions, a Detachment of 150 Highlanders under the command of Captain McLeon, and eight squadrons of Dragoons to be ready to march at eight at night. "They left their tents standing, and passed the Dymel near Warbourg; Maxwell's Battalion of Grenadiers, the Detachment of Highlanders, and Kingsley's Regiment, forming the Head of the Column. These were followed by two other Battalions of Grenadiers and by Block's Regiment. The eight squadrons of Dragoons were Block's, the Greys, and Iniskillings. At the village of Witzen, about a league on the other side of the Dymel, we found all the light troops, which were under Major Bulow's command, and whose destination was to turn the town of Zierenberg, and to take post between it and Durenberg, in order to intercept whoever should attempt passing to the enemy's Camp. At the entrance of a large wood, near Maltzberg, the Greys and Iniskillings were posted. At Maltzberg, a Battalion of Grenadiers. The other Battalion of Grenadiers, the regiment of Block, and Block's Dragoons, were posted at proper distances between Maltzberg and Zierenberg to cover us, in case we had been repulsed and pursued. At a mill, about two English miles from the town and within sight of the fires of the enemy's grand guards, Maxwell's Grenadiers took one Road, Kingsley's Regiment and the Detachment of Highlanders another. When we came within less than half a mile of the Town the vedettes of their grand guards challenged us, but did not push forward to "The behaviour of the Officers and the bravery of the Troops upon this occasion deserve the greatest commendation. Lord George Lennox was a volunteer in this expedition, and had his horse wounded under him by a shot from a window. With our prisoners we brought off two pieces of cannon, and had we had time to search the houses the number of our prisoners would have been doubled; but as day was coming on, and we might have been cut off from Warburg, we returned the same way we came, and arrived there at eight in the morning of the 6th without being at all molested." In 1763 a treaty of peace was signed, and as early as February, 1763, the Greys quitted Germany, and marching through Holland, embarked at Williamstadt in North Brabant, landed at Gravesend, and proceeded to Hereford. Soon the light troop, which had remained in England, was disbanded, but 8 men per troop were now equipped as Light Dragoons. The establishment was reduced to 213 men! At this date "Drummers," who had been on the establishment from the foundation of the Corps, were ordered to be replaced by "Trumpeters." In May, 1767, the Regiment marched to Canterbury, and in the winter of 1768 it was in winter cantonments in Lincoln and Boston. In 1769 they went to Scotland, returning the next year to Warwick, Lichfield and Stratford-upon-Avon. The greater part of 1771 was spent in cantonments in Dorsetshire and Somersetshire. In 1772 the Regiment was stationed at Canterbury, with detachments on coast duty in Kent. In May, 1773, it marched into quarters at Greenwich and the neighbouring villages; and on May 22nd King George the Third reviewed the Greys,—expressing his high admiration of the Regiment's appearance and discipline. The newspapers of the time describe the day as particularly fine, and allude to the great crowds assembled to witness "the martial appearance and correct manoeuvring of this gallant old corps." The Regiment now went to Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's, and in the autumn extended its quarters to Norwich. In 1774 it marched to York, and again sent detachments on coast duty. In the spring of 1775 it marched again North, and remained in Scotland until April, 1776. After this it spent 11 months in Lancashire. Next the Regiment went to Worcester for a summer station, passing the autumn in Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Pershore, and Ludlow. In 1778, when the War of Independence broke out, no heavy cavalry corps were sent to North America; but the establishment of the Greys was increased by some 250 men and horses, and 48 of these were equipped as Light Dragoons. The "light" part of the Regiment now consisted of 6 sergeants, 6 corporals, and 84 private men; and in April, 1779, these light horsemen were incorporated, with detachments from the 7th, 15th and 16th Dragoons, into a Regiment which was In the autumn of 1780 they marched into Worcestershire. In January, 1781, two troops requisitioned by magistrates on account of disturbances, marched to Ludlow. In June the Regiment marched into Dorsetshire. In 1782 the Regiment was at Durham, and in 1783 went north to Scotland. In this year, peace having been made with the United States of America, the Regiment's establishment was reduced to 232 all told. In 1784 they marched south, and were stationed 11 months in Manchester. In April, 1785, they went to Worcester. In the summer of 1786 they occupied extensive cantonments in Dorsetshire, and early in 1787 four troops were called in to aid the civil power in Wiltshire. In June the Regiment marched into quarters in Hampshire. In April, 1788, they were in quarters near Hounslow, and thence went to Ipswich, removing in the summer of 1789 to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Early in 1790 the Regiment marched into Yorkshire; from there 3 troops were soon sent to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and in September the other 3 troops marched to Durham. In the spring of 1791 they marched to Scotland, returning in the spring of 1792, and quartering in Lancashire. In December, 1792, an increase of 60 men was ordered. The French Revolution having broken out, the Regiment was, in 1793, made up to 9 troops of 54 non-commissioned officers and men each; and soon 4 troops were ordered to be held perfectly ready for foreign service. On January 20th, 1793, Louis the Sixteenth was murdered. The French envoy was at once ordered to leave England, and on February the 3rd the Convention declared war against England. The French attacked Holland, and a united British and Hanoverian force, commanded by the Duke of York, went to the help of the Dutch. On July the 9th, 1793, 4 troops of the Greys embarked at The 5 troops remaining in England were increased to 80 men each. In February, 1794, the 4 troops quitted Ghent for Beveren. On April the 17th, after joining the army on the plains of Cateau, they supported the infantry attack on the villages of Vaux and PrÊmont. At day-break on May the 10th, the army was in position on the heights in front of Tournay, the Greys being formed in column of troops behind the left wing. The Bays, Greys, and Inniskilling Dragoons forming one brigade, advanced in open column of half-squadrons, with the Duke of York at their head; on approaching the enemy they formed line under a heavy cannonade and charged. The following is in the Honourable J. W. Fortescue's account, Vol. IV., p. 249, of his splendid new History of the British Army:— "At last, however, a little to the south of Willems, the battalion-guns of the British infantry came up and opened fire, when the French, after receiving a few shots, began to waver. The squadrons again charged, and an officer of the Greys, galloping straight at the largest of the squares, knocked down three men as he rode into it, wheeled his horse round and overthrew six more, and thus made a gap for the entry of his men. The sight of one square broken and dispersed demoralised the remainder of the French. Two more squares were ridden down, and for the third time the British sabres had free play among the French infantry.... Not for eighteen years was the British Cavalry destined again to ride over French battalions as they rode on this day; and then Stapleton Cotton was fated once more to be present, leading not a squadron of Carabiniers, but a whole division of horse to the charge at Salamanca. But the 10th of May 1794 is chiefly memorable as marking the date on which the new French infantry showed itself not unworthy of the old." In November, 1795, the 4 troops of Greys embarked at Bremen for England and landed at South Shields on Christmas Eve. From In July of this year the Regiment was encamped near Weymouth; in September it went into quarters at Dorchester, Bridport, Weymouth, and Wareham. Late in 1797 the Regiment marched to Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, and Ashby-de-la-Zouch; in July, 1798, it was encamped in Windsor Forest, and in September went from there to Birmingham, Coventry, and Lichfield. In the summer of 1799 the Regiment went to Dorchester, Bridport, and Weymouth. A ninth troop was now added, and in April, 1800, a tenth was added. A force called the Fencible Cavalry was disbanded, and from it 81 men, with 220 horses, were drafted to the Greys. In October, 1800, the Regiment marched to Salisbury, Southampton, Blandford, Rumsey, and Portsmouth. In 1801 the Greys marched to Dorchester. Now came the inevitable policy of parsimony, and no war being on hand, the Greys establishment was reduced to 8 troops of 29 officers, 8 quarter-masters, 28 sergeants, 8 trumpeters, and 480 rank and file, including 10 dismounted men in each troop. In July, 1802, the Regiment marched to Croydon, Rumsey, and Eastbourne. The folly of reduction was now shown. War opened with France again in 1803, and the Regiment's strength was brought up to 10 troops. Its efficiency was also promoted by adding 3 captains, and thus releasing the field officers from the charge of troops. The establishment now became 51 officers, 10 quarter-masters, 54 sergeants, 10 trumpeters, and 1,000 rank and file. In June, 1803, the Regiment marched to Canterbury, staying there nearly two years, the period when Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of France, was hourly expected to attempt an attack on our coast. In May of 1805 the Greys marched to Ipswich and Colchester. On Thursday, January 9th, 1806, Lord Nelson was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, and two squadrons of the Greys took part in the procession on this occasion. Soon afterwards the Regiment marched into Yorkshire and In January, 1807, the Regiment marched to Scotland. In June, 1808, the Regiment sailed to Ireland. In June, 1809, an alteration was made by substituting a regimental quarter-master and 10 troop sergeant-majors, in the place of the 10 troop quarter-masters. In 1810 the Regiment sailed from Dublin for England, and now occupied quarters in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the spring of 1813 the quarters of the Regiment were extended to Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Two troops were left at Birmingham, and in December 8 troops marched to Canterbury, remaining there and at Dover, Deal, and Hythe. The following account relates to the review in Hyde Park before the Prince Regent, the King of Prussia, and the Czar of Russia, on June 21st, 1814, and is from The Times of Wednesday, the 23rd:— "It is little less than impossible to keep pace in the public journals with all the movements of the illustrious personages now in the British metropolis, or to describe the affectionate zeal with which they are received.... Our army has now, with great reason, become as much our boast as our navy, and therefore the display of its merits—of the persons, the horses, the accoutrements, of its component parts—ought to excite as great an interest as the exhibition of our ships of war and their equipages. Their Majesties, we have reason to believe, were as highly gratified by the review as British hearts could wish. A detachment of the Greys attended the great potentates, accompanied by the Hetman Platoff and a small detachment of Cossacks. "They were received with the loudest shouts by the populace. The Prince Regent, who was accompanied on one side by the King of Prussia, and on the other by the Emperor of Russia, was greeted with high applause. He was followed by Blucher and a most magnificent staff, superbly attired." In July, 1814, the Regiment was reduced to 8 troops, amounting to 584 officers and men, including 16 dismounted men for each troop. In a few months the Regiment went into winter quarters at Bristol and Trowbridge. Early in 1815 Napoleon was once more in France, and the Greys establishment was again made up to 10 troops, comprising in all 946 officers and men. 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