1821

73rd ordered home to England. All men fit for service in a tropical climate were permitted to volunteer, in the first instance, to regiments in Ceylon, and other regiments in India. 128 men volunteer for service with the 16th Regiment and join it at Colombo. Lt. Col. Smelt, 2nd Ceylon Regiment, succeeds O'Connell as commandant at Trincomalee and a detachment of the 16th arrive to replace the 73rd.

22 May:
A detachment of one subaltern, 3 serjeants, 1 drummer and 46 rank and file, embark as marines on HMS Alligator.

25 June:
Remainder of the regiment embarks at Trincomalee on board the transport Elizabeth.

10 November:
Arrival of regiment at Gravesend. Troops proceed to barracks at Weedon.