BATTLE HONOURS FOR MINOR CAMPAIGNS IN THE EAST, 1796-1857
Amboyna--Ternate--Banda--Cochin--Arabia--Bourbon--Java--Persian
Gulf--Beni Boo Alli--Aden--Persia--Bushire--Reshire--Koosh-ab.
AMBOYNA, 1796 AND 1810.
This distinction is borne only by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, as
the lineal descendants of that most distinguished corps the 1st
Madras European Regiment, which certainly has the right to bear
with the Dorsets the title of "Primus in Indus."
From the earliest days of our association with the East Indies
there had been mutual jealousies between the English and the
Dutch merchants with regard to commerce in the Moluccas. So far
back as the year 1623 the summary execution by the Dutch Governor
of Amboyna of the commander of an East Indiaman nearly led to
war between the two nations, and would have done so had not the
States General disavowed the action of their colonial official.
When Holland threw in her lot with France at the outbreak of the
revolutionary wars, and granted the French fleets the hospitality
of her Eastern harbours, it was determined to relieve the Dutch of
these possessions.
In February, 1796, Admiral Rainier, commanding the fleet in the
East Indies, sailed to Amboyna with a squadron consisting of the
_Suffolk_ (74), _Centurion_ (50), _Resistance_ (44), _Orpheus_
(32), and _Swift_ (16). The Dutch, recognizing the futility of
resistance, surrendered, and Amboyna passed into our possession.
The small body of troops employed on this occasion, as well as
the navy, reaped a rich harvest in the shape of prize-money, the
share of the Commander-in-Chief amounting to £90,000, and that of
the Captains of the Royal Navy to £13,000 each. A detachment of
the Madras European Regiment, under Major Vigors, was embarked on
Admiral Rainier's squadron, and participated beneficially in the
booty, the shares that fell to the lot of the soldiers being:
£ _s._ _d._
Major in command 13,583 0 0
Captains 1,314 0 0
Subalterns 636 0 0
Sergeants 229 0 0
Privates 44 0 0
At the Peace of Amiens, Amboyna and the neighbouring islands were
restored to the Dutch. In the year 1810 it was found necessary to
reoccupy them, and Captain Edward Tucker, R.N., with the _Doris_,
_Cornwallis_, and _Samarang_, embarked a detachment of 130 men
of the 1st Madras European Regiment (Royal Dublin Fusiliers),
with 50 men of the Royal Artillery, as well as some sepoys.
Slight opposition was encountered, our losses being 3 men killed,
1 officer and 9 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. We
maintained a garrison in the island until the year 1814, when by
the Treaty of Paris it was once more restored to the Dutch, and the
British Empire deprived of one of the richest islands in Eastern
waters.
+--------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| DETAILS OF FORCE LANDED. | CASUALTIES. |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Force Engaged._ |_Officers._| _Men._ +-----------+-----------+
| | | | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Naval Brigade | 8 | 235 | - | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|Royal Artillery | 1 | 46 | - | 1 | - | 1 |
|Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 5 | 130 | - | - | 2 | 4 |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
TERNATE, 1801 AND 1810.
This honour is borne only by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. It
commemorates one of the many little oversea expeditions which we
were compelled to undertake in the course of our wars with France
between the years 1793 and 1815. Ternate is one of the Molucca
Islands, and then, as now, belonged to the Dutch. Its harbours,
however, were open to the French fleets, and gave refuge to vessels
of war and to privateers, which preyed upon our China commerce.
It became necessary, therefore, to reduce the island, and in the
year 1801 a combined naval and military expedition was despatched
for its subjugation. The Madras troops were under the command of
Colonel Burr, and they encountered a stubborn resistance. It was
not until after a siege of fifty-two days that the Dutch Governor
surrendered. As was our custom, on the conclusion of peace in the
following year Ternate was restored to its original owners.
In the year 1810 it again became necessary to take possession of
the island, and, after the capture of Amboyna, Captain Tucker, with
a small detachment of artillery and of the 1st Madras European
Regiment, the latter under Captain Forbes, set sail for the island.
There was but slight opposition, and on August 31 Ternate once more
passed into our hands, only to be restored to the Dutch under the
terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1814.
+--------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| DETAILS OF FORCE LANDED. | CASUALTIES. |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Force Engaged._ |_Officers._| _Men._ +-----------+-----------+
| | | | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Naval Brigade | 8 | 200 | - | - | 1 | 7 |
|Royal Artillery | 1 | 36 | - | - | - | - |
|Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 3 | 74 | - | 1 | 1 | 9 |
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
The troops received a small solatium in the shape of prize-money,
the share of a Captain being £270, a Subaltern £120, a sergeant
£32, and a private £13.
BANDA, 1796 AND 1810.
This distinction was granted by the Governor of Madras to the
1st Madras European Regiment, and is now borne only by the Royal
Dublin Fusiliers. It commemorates the two occupations of the Island
of Banda, in the Eastern Archipelago, by a detachment of the old
Madras European Regiment, the first taking place in 1796, the
second in 1810. No medal was issued to the land forces engaged,
but on the institution of the Naval General Service Medal in
1847 the naval commanders of the _Caroline_, _Piedmontaise_, and
_Barracouta_ were awarded the naval gold medal for the capture of
the island in 1810, and distinctive bronze arm-badges, in lieu of
medals, were bestowed by the Governor of Madras on the sepoys. The
detachment of the 1st Madras European Regiment (now the 1st Royal
Dublin Fusiliers) was under the command of Captain Nixon. Their
services were cordially acknowledged by Captain Coles, of H.M.S.
_Caroline_, but the regiment does not appear to have suffered any
casualties.
ARABIA, 1809.
This distinction was granted to the York and Lancaster Regiment by
a notification in the _London Gazette_ in the month of March, 1823,
in recognition of the gallant services of the regiment during the
operations on the coast of Arabia in the years 1809 and 1821. The
old 65th Regiment, as it then was, had not been fortunate enough
to have been present at any of the well-known campaigns during
its tour of Indian service. Nevertheless, it had been engaged in
several arduous and by no means bloodless minor expeditions, in
which the soldier-like qualities of a regiment are as severely
tested as in campaigns which bring in their train greater honours
and rewards. Such were the two expeditions for the punishment of
piratical tribes on the Arabian coast.
The expedition in 1809 was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Lionel Smith, of the 65th Regiment. It was accompanied by the
frigates _Chiffon_ (Captain Wainwright) and _Caroline_. The
military force comprised the 65th (York and Lancaster), the flank
companies of the 47th (North Lancashire), and the 2nd Bombay Native
Infantry, now the 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry, with a company of
artillery. Nominally the pirates owned allegiance to the Sultan
of Turkey, but his sovereignty was very shadowy, and as they
had embraced Wahabiism they were looked upon more in the light
of rebels than subjects. For years they had interfered with our
commerce in the Persian Gulf, and had treated their prisoners with
the refinement of cruelty. It therefore became necessary to root
them out of their lair.
The little force left Bombay in the month of September, 1809, and
proceeded to the pirate stronghold of Ras el Khima, on the Arabian
coast. The Arabs fought bravely, but our superior armament and
discipline soon told, and the fort, which had originally been
built by the Portuguese more than two centuries previously, was
dismantled. On December 27 the flotilla arrived at Linga, another
piratical haunt, and this, too, after making a show of resistance,
was destroyed. Hostages were brought to Bombay as security for the
good behaviour of the tribes, and the force then returned to India,
its total casualties having been:
CASUALTIES AT BENI BOO ALLI, 1809.
+--------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments_ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+--------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Navy | - | - | 2 | 16 |
|65th York and Lancs Regt. | - | 1 | 2 | 7 |
|47th N. Lancs | 1 | - | 3 | 10 |
|103rd Mahratta Light Inf. | - | - | 2 | 31 |
+--------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
NOTE.--For this expedition the 2nd Bombay Native Infantry was
granted the battle honour "Beni Boo Alli."
BOURBON, JULY 8, 1810.[18]
This distinction has been granted to the
Welsh Regiment.
Royal Irish Rifles.
66th Punjabis.
84th Punjabis.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
A medal was struck, by order of the Governor-General of India,
for distribution to the officers and men of the Company's forces
present during the expedition.
In the _London Gazette_ of July 17, 1826, the 69th Foot (now
the 2nd Welsh Regiment) was authorized to bear on its colours
and appointments the word "Bourbon," in commemoration of the
distinguished conduct of the regiment at the attack and capture of
that island. Subsequently the same privilege was conferred on the
86th (2nd Battalion Irish Rifles).
Bourbon, now better known as Reunion, was a thorn in the side of
the East India Company during our many wars with France. With
Mauritius, then known as the Isle of France, it was a harbour of
refuge for the many privateers which preyed upon our commerce,
and a base of operations for the French fleet in Eastern waters.
Its reduction became a necessity, but was from time to time
deferred, until at last, in the month of September, 1809, the
Governor-General, Lord Minto, despatched a force, under Colonel
Keatinge, of the 56th Regiment (now the Essex), to report on the
feasibility of the capture of both islands. With Keatinge was
associated Commodore Josias Rowley, at the head of a squadron
comprising the _Raisonnable_, _Sirius_, _Boadicea_, _Nereide_, and
_Otter_, with the Honourable Company's cruiser _Wasp_. Keatinge's
force consisted of his own regiment, the 56th (Essex), and the
2nd Bombay Native Infantry (now the 104th Wellesley's Rifles). A
descent was made on the island, the forts at the principal port
destroyed, and some French men-of-war and armed Indiamen brought
away; but the force was altogether too small for Keatinge to
retain possession.
In the following July, having received reinforcements, Keatinge and
Rowley made a second descent. In the meantime they had occupied the
Island of Rodriguez, which served as a valuable base of operations.
In addition to the Essex and the Bombay Regiment, Keatinge now had
the 69th (2nd Welsh), the 86th (2nd Irish Rifles), and the 6th and
12th Regiments of Madras Infantry (now the 66th and 84th Punjabis);
and this force was strengthened by a naval brigade of seamen and
Marines from the ships, the total numbering about 3,600 men. The
French garrison made some show of resistance, but after a sharp
engagement the Governor, seeing himself cut off from all hope of
aid, surrendered, and until the conclusion of peace in 1814 Bourbon
remained in our possession, Colonel Keatinge being installed as
Governor, and a regiment being raised from the Creole inhabitants,
which was borne on the rolls of our army as the Bourbon Regiment.
CASUALTIES AT THE CAPTURE OF THE ISLAND OF BOURBON, 1810.
+-----------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|12th Suffolk | - | 2 | 2 | 5 |
|56th Essex | - | - | 1 | 3 |
|69th Welsh | - | - | 2 | - |
|86th R. Irish R. | 1 | 6 | 10 | 51 |
+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
CASUALTIES AT THE ATTACK ON THE ISLAND IN 1809.
+-------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Marines | - | 2 | 7 | 17 |
|56th Essex | - | - | 6 | 27 |
|104th Wellesley's Rifles | - | 1 | 2 | 11 |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
The Essex Regiment, by its participation in both descents on the
island, seem to have some claim to this distinction.
JAVA, 1811.
This battle honour is borne on the colours of the
West Yorkshire.
East Lancashire.
Welsh.
Seaforth Highlanders.
Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Governor-General's Bodyguard.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
The expedition was under the command of General Sir Samuel
Auchmuty, but the Governor-General of India, Lord Minto, himself
accompanied the troops, in order to arrange for the civil
administration of the Dutch islands, several of which, as I have
shown, had already fallen into our hands.
The troops selected comprised two Madras and one Bengal division,
and were brigaded as follows:
First Madras Division--Major-General R. R. Gillespie: 25th Light
Dragoons (260), Horse Artillery (152), the 14th (West Yorkshire),
a wing of the 59th (East Lancashire), the 89th (Royal Irish
Fusiliers), and four companies of European Sappers.
Second Madras Division--Colonel Gibbs, of the 59th (East
Lancashire): 22nd Light Dragoons (154), Royal Artillery (98), a
wing of the 59th (East Lancashire), the 69th (Welsh), and the
78th (Seaforth Highlanders).
The Bengal division was under the command of Major-General J. S.
Wood, and consisted of the Governor-General's Bodyguard, the 1st
Battalion of the Bengal Native Infantry, and five battalions of
sepoys, who had volunteered from the whole of the regiments of the
Bengal army, and who were designated as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
and 5th Regiments of Bengal Volunteers. On the force being broken
up, these men returned to their own regiments, receiving the medal
which the Governor-General caused to be struck for the expedition,
and so it comes about that, with the exception of the Bodyguard and
the Madras Sappers, no native corps bears the distinction "Java" on
its colours.
A powerful fleet, under the command of Admiral the Hon. R.
Stopford, convoyed the transports. It comprised the following
vessels:
Commander-in-Chief: Rear-Admiral the Hon. R. Stopford.
Commodore: W. R. Broughton.
GUNS GUNS GUNS
_Scipio_ 74 _Illustrious_ 74 _Minden_ 74
_Lion_ 64 _Akbar_ 44 _Nisus_ 38
_Présidente_ 38 _Hussar_ 38 _Phæton_ 38
_Leda_ 38 _Caroline_ 36 _Modeste_ 36
_Phœbe_ 36 _Bucephalus_ 36 _Doris_ 36
_Cornelia_ 32 _Psyche_ 32 _Drake_ 32
_Procris_ 18 _Barracouta_ 18 _Hesper_ 18
_Harpy_ 18 _Hecate_ 18 _Dasher_ 18
_Samarang_ 12
HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CRUISERS.
_Malabar._ _Aurora._ _Mornington._
_Nautilus._ _Vestal._ _Ariel._
_Thetis._ _Psyche._
and fifty-seven transports carrying troops.
The total strength of the expeditionary force amounted to
5,344 British and 5,770 native troops. On August 4 the troops
disembarked at a place called Chillingcherry, some ten miles east
of the capital, meeting with no opposition; but on the 10th the
advanced brigade, under Gillespie, a most dashing officer, who
had distinguished himself greatly in the West Indies, had a sharp
encounter with the French, who were driven back, our casualties
amounting to 90 killed and wounded. On the 20th the siege of Fort
Cornelis was commenced, the Admiral landing a naval brigade and
some heavy guns to aid in the operations. On the 26th the fort
was carried by assault, Gillespie again distinguishing himself,
pursuing the beaten enemy with the 22nd Light Dragoons for a
distance of thirty-five miles, capturing 2 general, 30 field, and
214 other officers; 280 guns and 6,000 prisoners fell into our
hands as a consequence of this bold attack, and the operations
were brought to a conclusion by the unconditional surrender of
the island. Gillespie, who was left in command on the departure
of the Governor-General, experienced some difficulty in inducing
the natives to learn submission, and a number of expeditions
were necessary ere peace was fully restored. On the institution
of the Land General Service Medal in 1847, the survivors of the
expedition received that medal with a clasp inscribed "Java." The
Governor-General, on his own initiative, at the conclusion of the
operations, bestowed gold medals on field officers and silver
medals on all other ranks; but the privilege of wearing these was
confined to officers and men in the service of the East India
Company.
CASUALTIES IN THE EXPEDITION TO JAVA, 1811.
+-----------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+
| | _Officers._ |_N.C.O.'s and Men._|
| _Regiments._ +--------+--------+--------+----------+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+----------+
|Royal Navy | - | 5 | 15 | 55 |
|Royal Artillery | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
|Bengal Artillery | 1 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
|Madras Artillery | - | 1 | 2 | 6 |
|Bengal Engineers | - | 1 | - | - |
|Madras Engineers | - | 1 | - | - |
|22nd Light Dragoons | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
|14th West York | 1 | 5 | 11 | 90 |
|59th East Lancastrian | 5 | 10 | 18 | 128 |
|69th Welsh | 3 | 8 | 14 | 60 |
|78th Seaforth Highlanders | 1 | 7 | 33 | 137 |
|89th R.I. Fusiliers | - | 8 | 11 | 65 |
|Governor-General's Bodyguard | - | 1 | 1 | 5 |
|Madras Pioneers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|3rd Bengal Native Vols. | - | - | - | 3 |
|4th Bengal Native Vols. | - | 2 | 11 | 28 |
|5th Bengal Native Vols. | - | 1 | 2 | 22 |
|6th Bengal Native Vols. | - | 3 | 4 | 22 |
+-----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+----------+
PERSIAN GULF, 1819.
This distinction is borne only by the 121st Pioneers, formerly
the Bombay Marine Battalion, and was awarded to that regiment by
the order of the Governor of Bombay in Council as a recognition
of its services when employed under Sir W. Grant Keir in the
destruction of the piratical strongholds in the Persian Gulf in the
year 1819. A previous expedition had been undertaken against the
same tribes in the year 1809, when Sir Lionel Smith, with the 65th
(York and Lancasters), the 47th (North Lancashire), and the 2nd
Bombay Infantry had taught the pirates that they could not attack
vessels flying the English flag with impunity. For some years the
hot bloods of the Arabian coast abstained from exercising their
predatory habits, but in the year 1817 they plundered several
vessels, massacring their crews. The vessels of the East India
Squadron had more than one sharp tussle with the pirates, but
these were always able to escape to their lairs, where the seamen
were unable to follow them. It was determined in 1819 to despatch
a second expedition against the Joassma, the offending tribe.
The command was entrusted to Major-General Sir W. Grant Keir, an
officer who had conducted more than one successful campaign in
Cutch and against other recalcitrant petty potentates. The troops
selected were the 65th (York and Lancaster Regiment), and the flank
companies of the 47th (Loyal North Lancashires). These two corps
had been associated in the previous expedition in the year 1809. In
addition to the British contingent, the 1st Battalion of the 2nd
Bombay Native Infantry (now the 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry),
the 11th Marine Battalion (now the 121st Pioneers), and the flank
companies of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Bombay Infantry (now the
105th Mahratta Light Infantry), also accompanied the force, which
was convoyed by H.M.S. _Liverpool_ and several of the Honourable
East India Company's cruisers.
The whole force assembled at the Island of Larrack, in the Persian
Gulf, on November 24, and the General at once proceeded in the
_Liverpool_ to Ras-el-Khima, the pirates' stronghold, where he made
a careful reconnaissance. Attempts were made through the Imaum
of Muscat to open negotiations with the chief of the Joassma
tribe, but to these he returned a defiant reply. The General
thereupon sent for the transports, and on December 3 the whole
force disembarked unopposed. It was evident that the fort had been
considerably strengthened since 1809, and the General borrowed some
24-pounders from the _Liverpool_ in order to construct and arm his
shore batteries. Whilst the siege operations were in progress,
the Arabs made more than one determined sortie; but when the
bombardment commenced in earnest, they made but a feeble reply.
This is scarcely to be wondered at. Their guns were all of small
calibre, and the _Liverpool_ claimed that she had thrown upwards of
1,200 32 and 24 pound shot into the place in twenty-four hours.
On the evening of December 9 the breach was declared practicable,
but when the storming-parties approached the place at dawn on the
10th it was found deserted. Information was received through the
Imaum of Muscat that the Arabs had retreated to another stronghold
farther inland. The General then re-embarked a portion of his
force, and proceeded up the coast to Rhams, which also was found
to be abandoned; but here it was ascertained that the tribes were
still defiant, and were massed in a hill fort of Zaya, some miles
inland. The two British corps, with the artillery, were at once
despatched to destroy this work, and on the 18th of the month Sir
Grant Keir was able to report to Government the destruction of all
the piratical strongholds and the submission of their chiefs.
The expedition had been attended with some loss, but the official
report of the casualties in the _Bombay Gazette_ tends to show that
these fell on the British, and not on the native, corps engaged.
The York and Lancaster Regiment have been accorded the distinction
"Arabia" as a recognition of their services; but the 47th (Loyal
North Lancashires), although they were twice employed with the 56th
on the by no means pleasing duty of chastising Arab pirates, have
not as yet been permitted to add the word "Arabia" to the other
battle honours which are embroidered on their colours.
CASUALTIES DURING THE EXPEDITION TO THE PERSIAN GULF IN 1819.
+-------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Artillery | - | - | 1 | 3 |
|47th North Lancashires | 1 | - | 2 | 17 |
|65th York and Lancasters | 1 | 2 | 4 | 24 |
|103rd Mahratta L.I. | - | - | - | 5 |
|105th Mahratta L.I. | - | - | - | - |
|121st Pioneers | - | - | - | - |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
Considerable booty was found, and the sum of £38,958 was remitted
to England by the prize agents for distribution amongst the men
of the 47th (North Lancashire) and 65th (York and Lancaster)
Regiments.[19]
BENI BOO ALLI, MARCH, 1821.
This distinction is borne by the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
103rd Mahratta Light Infantry.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
105th Mahratta Light Infantry.
107th Pioneers.
113th Infantry.
121st Pioneers.
It was awarded to these regiments by the Governor of Bombay
for their gallant services in destroying the strongholds of
Arab pirates in the Persian Gulf. The 65th Regiment (York and
Lancasters) was also employed in the same service, but it does not
bear the honour.
The expedition was under the command of Major-General Lionel Smith,
who, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, had carried through successfully a
previous expedition in the year 1809.
On this occasion his force comprised the 65th (York and
Lancasters), the 1st Bombay European Battalion (now the 2nd Royal
Dublin Fusiliers), the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment of Bombay
Native Infantry, and the flank companies of the 1st Battalion of
the 2nd, 2nd Battalion of the 2nd, 1st Battalion of the 3rd, and
1st Battalion of the 4th Regiments of Bombay Native Infantry, with
the Bombay Marine Battalion (121st Pioneers), together with 200
Bombay artillerymen. H.M.S. _Topaze_, _Liverpool_, _Eden_, and
_Curlew_ also accompanied the force.
The Arabs were in a most defiant mood. They had inflicted a severe
defeat on a native force which had been sent against them a short
time previously. This force had been driven back, with a loss of
nearly 400 sepoys killed, whilst five British officers were amongst
the slain. Sir Lionel Smith's force landed without opposition under
cover of the guns of the fleet, and on March 2 the stronghold of
the Joassma tribe was carried, after a sharp fight. The Imaum of
Muscat now endeavoured to induce the tribes to come to terms, but
on the 10th they made a most determined attack on our camp. In this
they were worsted, but our losses were considerable, the 1st Bombay
Fusiliers and the 7th Regiment of Bombay Sepoys (now the 113th)
suffering severely. The destruction of their forts and vessels by
the fleet soon reduced the Arabs to reason, and they agreed to send
hostages to Bombay for their future good behaviour. Our casualties
during this expedition were as follows:
CASUALTIES AT BENI BOO ALLI.
+-------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Navy | 3 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
|65th York and Lancaster | - | 2 | 4 | 35 |
|2nd Dublin Fus. | 1 | 3 | 17 | 34 |
|113th Pioneers (British) | 1 | 2 | - | - |
|113th Pioneers (Native ) | - | 2 | 21 | 122 |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
ADEN, 1839.
This distinction is borne by the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
121st Pioneers.
124th Baluchistan Infantry.
It commemorates the expedition which transferred the sovereignty
of the well-known coaling-station to the East India Company. So
far back as the year 1799 an expedition from Bombay had occupied
the Island of Perim, at the entrance of the Red Sea, and during
the expedition to Egypt in the year 1801 we had a garrison on that
inhospitable little islet. At the close of the war with France the
garrison was withdrawn. With the advent of steam it became evident
that the real route to India would be by the Red Sea, and the
value of Aden as a coaling-station was borne on the minds of the
Government of our great dependency. Commodore Haines, of the Indian
Marine, an officer of exceptional attainments, was entrusted with
the task of carrying on the necessary negotiations with the Arab
ruler of Aden, and in the year 1835, in return for a cash subsidy
and a promise of British protection, we became virtual rulers of
the place. Disputes soon arose. The neighbouring chiefs disapproved
of the action of the chief with whom we had negotiated, and in
the year 1838 it became evident that it would be necessary for us
to maintain a garrison there in order to assert our supremacy.
No resistance was anticipated, and the force sent was small. It
consisted of a wing of the 1st Bombay Fusiliers (now the Royal
Dublin Fusiliers) and the 24th Bombay Native Infantry, the whole
under Major T. M. Bailie, of the latter regiment. Two ships of
the Royal Navy, the _Volage_ and _Cruiser_, and a squadron of
the Indian Marine also participated in the affair. On these were
embarked the present 121st Pioneers, then known as the Bombay
Marine Battalion.
On the arrival of the expedition at Aden, the Arabs declined to
allow the troops to land or to supply them with either food or
water. The works were then shelled, and under cover of this fire
the troops disembarked and occupied the town, which had been
abandoned, the Arabs having taken refuge in one of the forts, from
which a white flag was displayed. After a little parleying, these
men surrendered; but in the act of disarming them a regrettable
incident occurred, in which we lost some sixteen men killed and
wounded; otherwise, with the exception of one midshipman, who was
hurt in the landing, Aden was acquired without bloodshed.
In the month of November following a half-hearted attempt was made
to recapture the place. This was repulsed without loss, and in May,
1840, a second attempt was also repulsed. Since then our hold on
Aden has been unchallenged, though on more than one occasion we
have been compelled to undertake expeditions against the tribes
in the hinterland, none of which, however, have been deemed of
sufficient importance for special mention. Indeed, with so many
hard-fought actions unrecorded, one is tempted to ask how comes it
that the name "Aden" has been selected for a battle honour.
PERSIA, 1856-57.
This distinction is borne by the
14th Hussars.
North Staffords.
Durham Light Infantry.
Seaforth Highlanders.
33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.
34th Poona Horse.
35th Scinda Horse.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
120th Rajputana Infantry.
123rd Outram's Rifles.
126th Baluchistan Infantry.
129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis.
It recognizes the services of a force which was employed in
Persia during the winter 1856-57, in a campaign for which no less
than four battle honours were granted. The army was commanded by
Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, K.C.B., an officer of the
Bombay army, who was affectionately termed the Bayard of India. His
force was organized as follows:
First Division: Major-General Stalker.
First Brigade--Brigadier N. Wilson, K. H: 64th (North Staffords),
120th Rajputana Infantry.
Second Brigade--Brigadier R. H. Honnor: 106th (Durham Light
Infantry), and 104th Bombay Rifles.
Second Division: Major-General H. Havelock, C.B.
Third Brigade--Brigadier H. Hamilton: 78th (Ross-shire Buffs),
126th Baluchistan Infantry.
Fourth Brigade--Brigadier J. Hale: 123rd Outram's Rifles and
129th Baluchis.
Cavalry Brigade--Brigadier J. Jacob: 14th Hussars, 33rd Queen's
Own Light Cavalry, 34th Poona Horse, and 35th Scinde Horse.
The _casus belli_ may be summed up in one word--Herat. That city
had long been considered the key of India, and when, early in 1856,
the Persians captured it from the Afghans, we insisted on its
restoration. On this being refused, it was determined to compel
acceptance of our demands. Sir James Outram, who had been nominated
to the chief command, was on his way from England, and, in order to
lose no time, the First Division of the expeditionary force, under
General Stalker, accompanied by a powerful squadron of vessels
belonging to the Indian Marine, left Bombay on November 9 for the
Persian Gulf. On December 5 the fleet bombarded the fortifications
of Bushire, and the following day the troops disembarked unopposed.
No casualties were incurred either at the bombardment of Bushire
or at the landing of the troops. It was a very cheaply won battle
honour.
BUSHIRE, DECEMBER 5, 1856.
The following regiments have been authorized to bear this battle
honour for the bombardment of Bushire:
North Stafford.
Durham Light Infantry.
33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.
34th P.A.V.O. Poona Horse.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
120th Rajputana Infantry.
129th P.W.O. Baluchis.
RESHIRE, DECEMBER 7, 1856.
This battle honour is borne on the colours of the
North Staffords.
Durham Light Infantry.
34th Poona Horse.
33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
120th Rajputana Infantry.
129th Baluchis.
On December 5 the first division of the Persian Expeditionary Force
had disembarked in the near neighbourhood of the fortified city of
Bushire. The Persians were holding an old redoubt which dated from
the days of the Dutch occupation. Unfortunately, General Stalker
made no attempt to shell the work, and when, in the early morning
of December 7, the brigade carried it by assault, the 64th (North
Staffords) and 104th Bombay Rifles were met by a well-sustained
fire, which, however, died away as they neared the parapet. The
Colonel of the 64th--Stopford--who was in command of the brigade,
was shot dead as he led the men over the breastwork, and the
104th lost two officers mortally wounded. With this insignificant
loss, the formidable work was carried, and on the following day
the Governor of Bushire, thinking he had done enough for honour,
surrendered the fortifications of the city to the General. The
whole brigade now took up its position close to Bushire, to await
the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief with the remainder of the
army.
CASUALTIES AT THE ACTION OF RESHIRE, DECEMBER 7, 1856.
+-------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Artillery | - | - | - | 3 |
|64th N. Stafford | - | - | 2 | 5 |
|33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry | 1 | - | - | 3 |
|104th Wellesley's Rifles | - | - | - | 5 |
|120th Rajputana Infantry | 2 | 1 | - | 7 |
|106th Durham L.I. | - | - | 2 | 7 |
|34th Poona H. | - | - | - | - |
|129th Baluchis | - | - | 2 | - |
+-------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
KOOSH-AB, FEBRUARY 8, 1857.
This battle honour is borne on the colours and appointments of the
North Staffords.
Durham Light Infantry.
Seaforth Highlanders.
33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.
34th Poona Horse.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
120th Rajputana Infantry.
126th Baluchis.
129th Baluchis.
It recognizes the services of these regiments at the action of
Koosh-ab, during the Persian campaign under Sir James Outram. The
Persian infantry, which had been trained by British officers,
were well handled, and actually threw themselves into square
when threatened by our cavalry. These squares were broken by the
3rd Bombay Cavalry (now the 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry), and
two officers obtained the Victoria Cross for their conduct on
this occasion. Sir James Outram, who had a keen eye for personal
gallantry, recommended no less than ten members of the regiment for
this much-prized decoration, including some of the native ranks.
The casualties which I append below show that the Persians evinced
little determination, or else their shooting did not reflect much
credit on their training:
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+
| |_Officers._| _Men._ |
| _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | K. | W. | K. | W. |
+------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|Royal Artillery | - | - | 1 | 7 |
|64th N. Stafford | - | 2 | 2 | 10 |
|106th Durham L.I. | - | 1 | 2 | 9 |
|33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry | - | 1 | 1 | 14 |
|34th Poona H. | - | - | 3 | 8 |
|126th Baluchis | - | - | 1 | 5 |
+------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
The other regiments present suffered no loss.