Our connection with the island dates back to the year 1762, when, on June 11, it was captured by a joint naval and military expedition under Colonel Lord Rollo and Commodore Sir James Douglas, R.N., with the _Belliqueux_, _Dublin_, _Montague_, and _Sutherland_. The troops concerned in this first capture were detachments of the King's Own (Lancaster Regiment), the Cheshires, and the Black Watch. The brunt of the fighting fell on the Highlanders, who lost 2 officers and 19 men killed, 10 officers and 74 men wounded. The possession of the island was confirmed to us by the Treaty of Paris in the following year. In 1778 it was taken from us by the French. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the Governor, Major-General the Hon. W. Stewart, had reported the precarious position of the island. His total force amounted to 98 men of the 48th (Northamptons) and 28 gunners; of these but 41 were fit for duty. On September 7 a French force of four frigates, convoying 3,000 troops, appeared before the island, and the Governor was perforce compelled to surrender to De Bouillé. By the peace of 1783 the island was restored to us, but in 1805, mindful of their former success, the French made a fresh attempt at its capture. Five line-of-battleships, headed by the _Majestueux_, of 120 guns, stood into the harbour and overwhelmed the town of Roseau with their fire. The Governor, General Prevost, withdrew to a second position, and refused all summons for surrender, when the French, baffled, left him undisturbed. The garrison consisted of the 46th Foot (now the 2nd Battalion of the Cornwall Light Infantry), the 1st West India Regiment, and some local militia. The casualties of the defenders were slight, but their services were considered sufficiently meritorious for the following notification in the _Gazette_: "As a distinguished mark of the good conduct and exemplary valour displayed by that regiment in the defence of the Island of Dominica against a very superior French force on February 22, 1805, the 46th Regiment is permitted to bear on its colours and appointments the name 'Dominica.'" For many long years this was the only distinction borne by that regiment. The casualties were-- Cornwall Light Infantry: 11 men killed, 1 officer and 7 men wounded. The West India Regiment: 9 men killed, 2 officers and 8 men wounded. MARTINIQUE, 1809. This distinction is borne by the Royal Fusiliers. King's Liverpool Regiment. Somerset Light Infantry. East Yorkshires. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. King's Own Scottish Borderers. King's Own Royal Rifles. Manchesters. Scottish Rifles. West India Regiment.