1797

20th
first recruitment march to Lancashire.

1801

Fought
in Egypt
against Napoleon.

1806

Battle of Maida,
defeated Napoleon‘s army for the first time in Europe.

1808 - 1814

Peninsula War, in 1808 the battles
fought were:

Vimiera, (5th & 6th)

Peninsula (5th, 6th & 7th )

Toulouse (5th
& 7th)

Rolica (5th & 6th)

AWARDED: Received Battle honours for the battles of Vimiera and Rolica.

1809

Retreat from Corunna
where Sir John Moore (at the cost of his own life) enabled the 5th, 6th and
20th to be rescued by the Royal Navy. The Veterans from Corunna became the
nucleus of a new army under Sir Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) who
expelled the French from Spain.

1812

War
with America. 20th won the Battle of Blandensberg.

1813

Involved in the Peninsula War in
1813 where the battles fought were:

Vittoria (5th, 6th
& 7th )

Pyrenees (6th & 7th)

Nevelle (5th & 6th)

Major-General Robert
Ross of Blandensburg

Robert
Ross joined the 20th as a major in 1799, and was in command for 20 years during
a particularly proud period of the Regiment's history. Under him the 20th
became greatly distinguished for it's bravery, dash
and powers of endurance at the battle of Maida, the retreat to Corunna, and in
the heavy fighting of the Peninsula war.

Promoted
Major-General and given command of the Brigade of which the 20th formed part,
Ross was severely wounded at the Battle of Orthes
eight months later in February, 1814. In the same year he achieved fame as
Commander-in-Chief of the expeditionary force against the United States, where, in a short but brilliant
campaign, he decisively defeated the Americans at Blandensburg,
and entered Washington,
destroying the public buildings by order of the British Government. He was
killed shortly afterwards in a skirmish near Baltimore, and his family received
from the Prince Regent the distinction of thereafter being designated Ross of Blandensburg.

Among
the many fine soldiers of his time, Ross stood out for his dauntless courage;
his marked ability in command; his solicitude for his men; his high character
and endearing personal qualities.