In July, 1739, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to call in their detachments and march into quarters at Hounslow and its vicinity; and on the 28th of that month they were reviewed on Hounslow Heath by his Majesty. In the beginning of August they marched into quarters in Worcestershire; and their colonel, Major-General Gore, died on the 18th of that month. On the 1st of September his Majesty conferred the colonelcy on CHARLES, second DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, from the 38th regiment of foot. The Spaniards having repeatedly violated the existing treaties in regard to the commerce of England with America, his Majesty declared war against Spain; and the establishment of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was augmented to four hundred and thirty-five officers and men. [Sidenote: 1740] In May, 1740, the colonelcy, vacant by the removal of the Duke of Marlborough to the second troop (now second regiment) of life guards, was conferred on Major-General HAWLEY, from the thirteenth dragoons. [Sidenote: 1741] During the summer of 1740 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped (with three other regiments of cavalry and six of infantry) near Newbury, and afterwards near Devizes, under the orders of General Wade. In October they marched from camp into quarters in Leicestershire; and in November, 1741, removed into Somersetshire. [Sidenote: 1742] In the mean time hostilities had commenced on the continent, and France, Bavaria, and Prussia were endeavouring to deprive the house of Austria of its hereditary dominions. King George II. resolved to support the Austrians; and in the summer of 1742 his Majesty sent Field Marshal the Earl of Stair with sixteen thousand men to Flanders. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were selected for this service, and, having been reviewed by his Majesty on Hounslow Heath, they embarked in August, and after their arrival in Flanders were stationed in the cavalry barracks at Ghent. [Sidenote: 1743] Leaving Ghent in February, 1743, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for Germany; and in June they were encamped, with the other forces, near Aschaffenburg, on the river Maine, where they were joined by King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland. On the 26th of June the army marched for Hanau, a town of Hesse-Cassel, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the advance-column. When on the march the French were discovered in position near _Dettingen_: his Majesty commanded the army to form opposite the enemy, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted near the right of the line.