NOTE.--On the renumbering of the regiments of the Indian Army in 1903, the 93rd Infantry renounced their claim to these battle honours, to which, as the direct representation of the old 17th Madras Infantry, they are legitimately entitled. CHAPTER XI BATTLE HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN THE PENINSULAR WAR, 1808-1814 Roleia--Vimiera--Sahagun--Corunna--The Douro--Talavera--Busaco--Barrosa--Fuentes d'Onor--Albuera--Almaraz--Arroyos dos Molinos--Tarifa--Ciudad Rodrigo--Badajos--Salamanca--Vittoria--Pyrenees--San Sebastian--Nivelle--Nive--Orthes--Toulouse. The campaign was entered upon with a view of preventing the Iberian Peninsula from falling under the domination of Napoleon, who, prior to the landing of our troops in Portugal in August, 1808, had brought about the abdication of the King of Spain, and placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Madrid. Portugal had been invaded also by the French. The King, taking refuge on an English squadron, had sailed to Brazil, and Lisbon was at the moment in possession of the French Army, commanded by Marshal Junot. The honour "Peninsula" was granted to all regiments which served under the Duke of Wellington from the date of his first landing in Figueras Bay in August, 1808, to the Battle of Toulouse, in April, 1804. Regiments which served under Sir John Moore and were present at Corunna in January, 1809, but were not fortunate enough to return to Spain, were debarred from this "distinction," the 14th Foot (now the West Yorks) and the 26th Cameronians being cases in point.[15] Gold medals and crosses were conferred on field and general officers during the operations, but it was not until the year 1847 that the Duke of Richmond was enabled to carry out the project of inducing Her Majesty Queen Victoria to grant to the few remaining survivors a silver medal with clasps for the various actions, as below: Roleia. Vimiera. Sahagun. Benevente. Corunna. Talavera. Busaco. Barrosa. Fuentes d'Onor. Albuera. Ciudad Rodrigo. Badajoz. Salamanca. Vittoria. Pyrenees. San Sebastian. Nivelle. Nive. Orthes. Toulouse. ROLEIA, AUGUST 17, 1808. This was the opening action of the Peninsular War, which, commencing with Roleia in August, 1808, lasted until the final defeat of Soult by the Duke of Wellington at Toulouse in March, 1814. The following regiments have been authorized at different times to carry the word "Roleia" on their colours and appointments, and the Land General Service Medal, with clasp "Roleia," was granted to all survivors on June 1, 1847: Northumberland Fusiliers. Royal Warwick. Norfolk. Worcester. Cornwall Light Infantry. South Stafford. South Lancashire. Sherwood Foresters. King's Royal Rifles. Highland Light Infantry. Argyll Highlanders. Rifle Brigade. They were brigaded as under, the chief command being held by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Arthur Wellesley: