In February 1854 the regiment was warned to hold itself in readiness for active service. Between the 18th and the 25th of April 1854 four service troops, comprising a total of 20 officers (including Staff) and 294 other ranks, embarked at Portsmouth in five sailing ships, the Eveline, Pride of the Ocean, Ganges, Blundell, and the Edmundsberg.

After passing through the Dardenelles all had arrived at Constantinople by the end of May. Passages had taken from twenty-three days to five weeks. Twenty-six horses, but no men, had died on the voyage.

On 2 June the regiment sailed for Varna and was there made part of the Light Brigade under Lord Cardigan. Twelve men died of cholera during this stay, and two more on the voyage to the Crimea which was commenced on the 2nd and 3rd of September. Their numbers showed a serious falling off on landing, being reduced to a total of 247 of all ranks.