Maltese corps in the British Army (1800-1970)

Abstract

Early in 1805, the military authorities found it necessary to raise an additional corps called The Royal Malta Regiment. Most of the men serving in the two Provincial Battalions were allowed to volunteer for general service in this new Regiment. In July, 1805, the English troops ear-marked for service in Calabria arrived in Malta and were accommodated in Valletta. As there was no other accommodation in Valletta, the Bishop of Malta was approached and His Grace gave consent for the Maltese troops to use the convents at Rabat which had been closed during the period of the French occupation. The Royal Regiment of Malta, which was in course of formation, was quartered at St. Dominic Convent, the Provincials under Count Gatto at St. Augustine Convent and the Marquis Parisi's Battalion in the Palace at Mdina. Lt. Colonel Sir John Dalrymple, Bart., who commanded the Royal Malta Regiment, was given the command of this Force. In 1806, the two Provincial Battalions, then much reduced in strength owing to the number of transfers to the new corps, were formed into one battalion under Colonel the Marquis Parisi. Colonel Count Gatto was appointed Commandant of the Island Militia.