Talavera

The French attack was repelled with heavy loss. In his subsequent despatches Sir Arthur spoke warmly of our Regiment, which on one occasion had saved him from being taken prisoner. "Upon this occasion," he states in his despatch, "the steadiness and discipline of the 5th Battalion 60th Regiment were conspicuous."

At Talavera, the 5th Battalion lost 7 officers and 44 other ranks. Major Davy proceeded home and Major W. Woodgate took command.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. Williams' took command in 1810: he had seen much active service and had been wounded at Corunna. Operations came to a standstill until the following year.

Busaco

The French having been largely reinforced, Wellesley retired into Portugal, which was invaded in 1810 by the enemy under Marshal Massena. The British General, now created Lord Wellington, inflicted on the French a sanguinary check at Busaco, where the 60th, under Colonel Williams, again distinguished themselves. The five companies of the 60th engaged lost 5 officers (the C.O. being wounded twice) and 24 other ranks. The enemy was too strong to be permanently stopped, and Wellington retired to the previously prepared lines of Torres Vedras, covering Lisbon.

Fuentes d'Onor

Thence, in 1811, he again advanced and drove the French from Portugal. But Massena advanced with 57,000 men and a desperate two-day battle ensued at Fuentes d'Onor. Here Colonel Williams was distinguished by his defence of the village of that name: he had three companies of the 60th under his command. He was dangerously wounded and Major Woodgate took command of the 5th Battalion.

Albuhera

A few days later a detachment of the Anglo-Portuguese Army (including four companies of the 60th), under Marshal Beresford, which was covering the Spanish fortress, Badajos, repulsed a most determined attack on Albuhera. Captain John Galiffe, of the 60th, and one Rifleman were present both at Fuentes d'Onor and Albuhera.

In October some Rifle companies were present at the surprise of the French at Arroyo dos Molinos, where Captain Blassiere distinguished himself by penetrating into the town on the previous night.