The 5th Battalion, by reason of the nature of its role in battle, carried no Colours, and this became the rule-as it still remains-for all Rifle battalions.

It was in the 5th Battalion that "manoeuvre by bugle call" was introduced. The French General Foy wrote from the Peninsula "The echoing sound of the Rifleman's horn answered the double purpose of directing their movement and of signalling those of the enemy."

This practice was not dropped finally until 1897, by which time it had become unsuited to the modem battlefield.

The 5th Battalion was engaged under Sir John Moore in suppressing the rebellion in Ireland from April to December, 1798, and in July, 1799, went with the expedition to Surinam, Dutch Guiana, the garrison of which surrendered. The Battalion returned home in 1805 and was again in Ireland in 1807 where it was garrisoned in Cork from September 1807. In December of that year the strength of the Battalion was 960 rank and file. On July 12th, 1808 the Battalion set sail for Portugal arriving at Mondego Bay on July 30th, but did not commence disembarkation until August 1st at the village of Lavaos on the left bank of the Mondego River. The first troops to land being our Rifle Battalion and four companies of the 2nd Battalion, 95th, better known as the present day Rifle Brigade. The two Corps were commanded by Brigadier-General Henry Fane! Thus began the intimacy which has existed ever since between them.

The Riflemen assumed their duties as "the eyes of the army," by marching six miles southward the same day and taking up a position to cover the landing of the main body and give timely warning of the enemy's approach. The 5th Battalion were present in the Peninsular for the whole of that war and in accordance with the General Order of 21/8/1808; a Rifle Company was attached to each of the newly arrived 7th and 8th Brigades, leaving three only with Battalion Headquarters in the Light Brigade.

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