During the Napoleonic Wars the West Essex Militia were stationed at a number of posts across southern England.

In 1809 the West Essex Militia were marched across England from Portsmouth to be quartered in the Citadel Barracks, Plymouth and in April 1810 they were moved to the prison at Dartmouth and were quartered in Pendennis Castle at Falmouth where they remained until ordered back to Essex on 14 June 1811 after an absence of 7 years.

While they were in Devon many of the men married local girls.

Some of the marriages in Budock, Cornwall are detailed below.