The 73rd Regiment was under the command of Maurice Charles O'Connell who married Mary Putland, the widowed daughter of William Bligh in May 1810, which created ongoing tension with the leaders of the Rum Rebellion (such as John Macarthur) who were highly influential members of society within New South Wales. To reduce these tensions, the main body of the battalion left New South Wales in April 1814 on the General Hewitt for Ceylon. During the tour in Ceylon the battalion was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Geils, whose children, along with hundreds of wounded men of the regiment, perished in May 1815 in the wreck of the Arniston after visiting him there.
The 73rd Regiment was under Maurice Charles O'Connell's command from May 1810 until April 1814. During this period, they faced conflicts with leaders of the Rum Rebellion and later experienced tension when Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Geils led them to Ceylon in April 1814. The Arniston sank in May 1815, resulting in casualties among O'Connell's children and wounded soldiers.