The 87th Regiment of Foot departs the West Indies for home.

Having taken part in an abortive expedition to Holland the 87th were sent, at the end of 1796, to the West Indies where they spent nearly 8 years. Their only action during these years was an attack which failed against the well-protected town of San Juan or Puerto Rico. Although the 87th suffered only 2 killed and 3 wounded at this battle the Regiment lost between 700 - 800 men owing to disease during their long stay in the tropics.

On 12 January 1803 the 87th sailed for home. Their joy at leaving the West Indies was short lived because they were delayed continually by bad weather and as a result spent an extra year in what was a very unhealthy part of the world.