In the subsequent actions during this war, the regiments of MARINES gained additional honour. They had their share of the glory acquired in the capture of _Barcelona_ in the autumn of 1705, and in the gallant defence of that city in 1706; they fought at the unfortunate battle of _Almanza_ in 1707; took part in the capture and defence of several fortified towns in Spain, and in the capture of the island of _Minorca_ in 1708. In some of these services, detachments of the QUEEN'S MARINES were probably engaged; but, after the defence of Gibraltar, the regiment appears to have been employed, generally, on board the fleet.
Six companies of the regiment, having landed from on board the fleet, were stationed, during the winter of 1709, in Devonshire, and after reposing a few months in quarters, were removed, in March, 1710, to garrison duty at Plymouth. In July of the same year, the other seven companies, having arrived at Spithead, landed on the Isle of Wight, where they encamped until September, and afterwards proceeded to Portsmouth.
About this period the regiment was removed from the establishment of the navy, its title of MARINES was discontinued, and it resumed its station among the regular regiments of infantry; it was, however, included in the estimate for 1711, in the list of regiments for sea-service; but this did not prevent its being employed on other duties.
In January, 1711, the six companies at Plymouth having been relieved by Colonel Andrew Windsor's (now twenty-eighth) regiment, marched to Portsmouth; and on the 23d of that month the regiment received orders to hold itself in readiness to proceed to Portugal; but its destination was soon afterwards changed.
During the nine years which this war had been raging in Europe, British blood and treasure had been expended in making conquests for the house of Austria. The only advantage which had accrued to Great Britain was, that the power of the house of Bourbon had been diminished and that of Austria augmented: even Gibraltar and Minorca, though subsequently ceded to Great Britain, had been captured for the house of Austria. The new ministry chosen by Queen Anne in 1710 resolved to act upon a different principle. Colonel Nicholson having made a successful attack on Port Royal in Nova Scotia, on his return to England he submitted to the government a plan for the reduction of Placentia and _Quebec_, as a preparatory measure in order to secure Canada to the British Crown, to drive the French out of Newfoundland, and regain the fishery.