In "Sharpe's Regiment", the South Essex is in danger of being disbanded for lack of fresh recruits. Sharpe and Harper return to England and discover that Simmerson is using the South Essex's Second (recruiting) battalion in a crimping scheme, using the First Battalion's lustrous reputation to attract new recruits, then selling them off to other regiments without replacing the First Battalion's losses. Unable to take official action against Simmerson, Sharpe assumes command of the Second battalion and parades it in London, renaming it the Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers, playing on the military enthusiasm of the Prince Regent, who gleefully endorses Sharpe taking the battalion to Europe (in reality, the South Lancashire Regiment is known as the "Prince of Wales's Volunteers"). Sharpe installs the Second battalion's nominal commander, Colonel Bartholomew Girdwood, in overall command of the Regiment, while making it clear that the rank-and-file's loyalty is to Sharpe alone. Girdwood suffers a nervous breakdown during the Battle of Nivelle, as the South Essex Regiment joins the British Army's invasion of French territory. After the Battle of Toulouse and Napoleon's abdication, Sharpe leaves the Regiment and settles in Normandy with his French lover, Lucille Castineau.