During the summer of 1693 the regiment was embarked on board the fleet, and, proceeding with an expedition to _Martinico_, it effected a landing, drove the enemy's troops from the coast, and laid waste several French settlements on that Island. In the autumn it landed at Portsmouth and marched into cantonments in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The severe loss sustained this summer by the Allies at the battle of Landen, occasioned a strong reinforcement to be sent to Flanders during the winter, and the FIFTH was one of the regiments selected for foreign service. It accordingly embarked at Greenwich and Deptford in December, and, after landing at Ostend, marched to Sluys, a fortified town situated on an arm of the sea, where the regiment remained several months. [Sidenote: 1694] After leaving Sluys in the middle of May, 1694, the regiment pitched its tents on the levels near Ghent, and afterwards at Tirlemont in South Brabant, forming part of the army commanded by King William III. in person. On the 15th of June it was detached, with other corps, to take post near the Abbey of Lenthen. During the subsequent part of the campaign it was employed in several military operations, and in the autumn marched into barracks at Bruges. The death of its Colonel having taken place on the 26th of August, his Majesty conferred the vacant Colonelcy on Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Fairfax, by commission dated the 6th of November, 1694. [Sidenote: 1695] After remaining in garrison at Bruges until the 25th of May, 1695, the FIFTH took the field and was encamped a short time on the verdant plains near the river Lys; and when King William undertook the siege of the strong fortress of _Namur_, the regiment formed part of the covering army commanded by the Prince of Vaudemont.