The war in Ireland having ended with the capitulation of Limerick, King William was thereby enabled to withdraw some regiments from that country, and to re-inforce his army in Flanders: the Queen Dowager's Regiment was one of those selected for foreign service, on which it immediately proceeded. Lieutenant-General Kirke, who was promoted to that rank on the 24th of December, 1690, joined the army in Flanders, and died at Breda on the 31st of October, 1691. The Colonelcy of the Queen Dowager's Regiment was conferred on Colonel William Selwyn, from the Coldstream Foot Guards, on the 18th of December, 1691. [Sidenote: 1692] In the spring of 1692, the preparations making by Louis XIV. of France, and the late King James II., for the invasion of England, caused King William to send back some of the regiments, which had been sent from Ireland to join the army in the Low Countries; amongst others the Queen Dowager's returned, and was encamped at Portsmouth. The glorious victory off La Hogue, obtained at this critical period by the gallant exertions of the fleet under Admiral Russell, dispelled all fear of invasion, and distracted the councils of the enemy. Seven thousand of the force assembled at Portsmouth, including the _Queen Dowager's_ Regiment, were embarked under the Duke of Leinster with the intention of returning the compliment by making a descent on the coast of France; but this expedition being postponed, and ultimately abandoned, in consequence of the lateness of the season, the troops were ordered to proceed to Flanders. They landed at Ostend on the 22nd of August, and took and fortified the neighbouring towns of Furnes and Dixmude. [Sidenote: 1693] The Queen Dowager's Regiment continued to form part of the army on the continent, serving with distinction in various operations there, and more particularly at the battle of _Landen_ on the 29th of July, 1693, where it was posted in the left wing of the allied army, and in conjunction with the regiment of _Hamilton_ (the Royals) defeated a superior force of the enemy, and retarded, for a time, the disasters of the day. Nothing could surpass the courage and perseverance of King William, whose presence with this portion of his troops urged them on to deeds of the greatest heroism. At length, weakened by repeated attacks from a far more numerous army, and having their ammunition expended, they retired, leaving their enemy little more than the name of a victory, for the Duke of Luxembourg gained no advantages, and his army had a greater number of officers and men killed and wounded than the allies. The Queen Dowager's Regiment lost in this battle Captain Collins, Captain Sandys, Lieutenant Campbell, Ensign Burt, and about 100 men. [Sidenote: 1695]