Honorary distinctions were this year conferred on many officers of the army. Colonel Sir Edward Blakeney, of the ROYAL FUSILIERS, was honoured with the dignity of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and the following officers were appointed Companions of the Order of the Bath:--Lieutenant Colonels John Walwin Beatty, Samuel Benjamin Auchmuty, and Alexander Campbell Wylly. [Sidenote: 1816] On the 1st of January, 1816, the effective strength was one thousand and twenty-eight; the regiment left Paris on the 16th of January, and marching to the Pas de Calais, was placed in village-cantonments in the vicinity of Bapaume, forming part of the Army of Occupation in France. The ROYAL FUSILIERS were highly commended at the half-yearly inspection on the 22nd of May: they were reviewed by Lieutenant-General Lord Hill in August, and obtained his lordship's approbation; and in September Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole made a minute inspection of the regiment, and expressed his entire satisfaction of its appearance and discipline. In September the regiment was removed to the vicinity of Cambray, and was subsequently encamped near Denain, with the remainder of the first division, the other divisions being encamped about two miles distant. On the 22nd of October the British, Saxon, and Danish contingents of the Army of Occupation were reviewed by the Duke of Wellington, in presence of their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Cambridge, who expressed their admiration of the appearance and discipline of the troops. After the review the regiment returned to its village cantonments, and at the half-yearly inspection in November, Major-General Sir James Kempt expressed his satisfaction at its appearance and condition. [Sidenote: 1817] In the early part of 1817 the establishment was reduced to eight hundred and sixty seven non-commissioned officers and private soldiers; and in April the regiment marched to the city of Valenciennes, and with the twenty-third, forty-third, fifty-seventh, and ninety-first, formed the garrison of that fortress. On the 6th of September the ROYAL FUSILIERS were present at the review of the British and Danish contingents by the King of Prussia; on the 9th of that month they were reviewed by Lieutenant-General Lord Hill; and on the 15th of October, by his Grace the Duke of Wellington. [Sidenote: 1818] Having passed the winter at Valenciennes, the SEVENTH were reviewed, in June, near that fortress with the British, Danish, and Saxon contingents, by the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, for whom the regiment furnished a guard of honour. The British troops were subsequently reviewed by Lieutenant-General Lord Hill on the 3rd of September; by the Duke of Wellington in presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent, on the 10th of that month; and on the 23rd of October by the Emperor of Russia, King of Prussia, Prince of Orange, &c. &c.