When the War began, the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Tientsin, Peking and Shan-Hai-Kwan (North China). In September the Regiment boarded the 'Arcadia' at Ching-Wang-Tao, bound for Sialkot, India. While off Shangai orders were received to proceed to England. The Regiment landed at Southampton on the 8th November 1914 and moved to a camp near Winchester. The 2nd Battalion was to be a part of the new 27th Division.
18th December 1914 the Battalion embarked at Southampton aboard the 'City of Chester'. Arriving at La Havre, they moved to Aire by train. They were now in the 81st Brigade with the 1st Bn Royal Scots, 2nd Bn Cameron Highlanders, and the 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.