Military Foot Police

The Provost Marshal was responsible for maintaining discipline within the British Army. In June 1855, twelve NCOs from Cavalry Regiments performed duties as Mounted Police, but during the next twenty years there was a substantial increase in numbers. On 1 August 1877, the Military Mounted Police was created as a distinct Corps for home and overseas service.

The Corps of Military Foot Police was established in 1882 for service in Egypt. It became a permanent Corps in 1885.
In 1927, the Mounted and Foot elements were amalgamated to become the Corps of Military Police. It was granted the Royal prefix in 1946 in recognition of its war services.

The Military Prison Staff Corps was organised under Army Order 241 of 1901. It was re-designated Military Provost Staff Corps in 1906. Recruitment to the Corps was by the transfer of suitable NCOs above the rank of sergeant from other regiments and corps.

In 1935, Provost companies were raised with fixed establishments.

In 1937, a Field Security Wing was formed, but this transferred to the Intelligence Corps in 1940.

Military Prison Staff Corps

1856 Military Prison Staff Corps

The following was buried at Malta in 1856:

5 October Margaret Price aged 44 years, wife of Chief Warden W John Price in charge of the Military Prison.

1857 Military Prison Staff Corps

The following was buried at Floriana in 1857:

27 January John Price aged 18 years, son of John Price Chief Warder of the Military Prison St Elmo.

The following was married in Malta in 1857:

2 June In the Collegiate Church of St Paul's Valletta, Widower John Price Chief Warder in charge of the Military Prison, St Elmo to Phoebe Gardiner, widow of Garrison QM Sgt John Gardiner.

1858 Military Prison Staff Corps

The following was buried at Ta' Braxia Cemetery in 1858:

17 May Henry Witter Price aged 4 years 4 months, son of John Price Chief Warder of the Military Prison St Elmo.

1859 Military Prison Staff Corps

1860 Military Prison Staff Corps

1861 Military Prison Staff Corps

The following was buried at Floriana Cemetery in 1861:

17 July William Beveridge aged 23 years, Infirmary Warden Military Prison.

1898 Military Prison Staff Corps

The following were baptized at Malta in 1898:

3 Apr Bertha Elizabeth Danes born on 15 February 1898, daughter of Sub Warder Military Prison Sidney Danes and Georgina, resident at Corradino.
30 Oct Thomas William Reeves born on 2 October 1898, son of Assistant Warder Military Prison Walter Reeves and Clara, resident at Corradino.

1915 Military Provost Staff Corps

John Clarke born on 15 August 1915, son of Cpl Walter Clarke and Florence of married quarters Corradino Detention Barracks was baptised at St Matthew's Church Fort Ricasoli on 16 September 1915.

1918 Military Provost Staff Corps

Ada Eleanor Harding born on 14 January 1918, daughter of Sgt Major Frederick Henry and Alice nee Beckett, Harding of 5 Married Quarters Corradino was baptised in Corradino Chapel.

1921 Military Provost Staff Corps

Aubrey James Evans born on 9 December 1921, son of SSgt Stanley Evans and Alice Maud of Corradino was baptised in the Barracca Church Valletta, on 29 December 1921.

Military Foot Police

1898 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1898 Strength: 20 men.

The following was baptized in Malta in 1898:

14 Mar Elizabeth Bennett born on 27 January 1898, daughter of L/Sgt Robert Joseph Bennett and Kate, resident at Mtarfa.

1899 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1899 Strength: 20 men.

1900 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1900 Strength: 9 men.

1901 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1901 Strength: 7 men.

The following was buried at Rinella Military Cemetery in 1901:

31 July Joseph Ed Bennion aged 4 months, of Military Prison Corradino died at Cottonera.

1906 Military Foot Police

The following was buried at Rinella Military Cemetery in 1906:

17 Jan Cpl Henry Helmar MFP aged 34 years 4 months, of 22 Strada Maggiore.

1913 Military Foot Police

The following was baptised in the Zejtun Gate Church Room in 1913:

14 Dec Harold Arthur Richardson born on 19 November, son of Acting Sgt Arthur and Ethel Violet Richardson of married Quarters Verdala Barracks.

1914 Military Foot Police

28 July 1914 Start of the Great War.

4 Aug Britain declared war on Germany.

5 Aug The Detention Barracks at Corradino was closed. Three sergeants and 2 corporals of the Military Provost Staff Corps (MPSC) were sent to work at the Civil Prison. All soldiers under sentence and naval ratings in detention were returned to their units. Capt H. L. Carlton moved from Corradino to St James' Cavalier and took up the duties as Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) Malta Command and the command of the Military Foot Police. On 17 August, he moved his quarters from Corradino to Floriana.

5 Aug 1 NCO and 6 men boarded the German S. S. Erymanthos at the Custom House. Another guard boarded the Austro-Hungarian S. S. Carola on 8 August, but this was withdrawn as war against Austria-Hungary had not yet been declared.

6 Aug The Military Foot Police provided a guard for the Army Service Corps (ASC) preserve store at Sa Maison. On 19 August, another guard was placed over the Royal Engineer's Workshop at Haywharf.

13 Aug 1914 A guard was placed outside the Austro-Hungarian Consulate. Mr Otto Schmidt, Austro-Hungarian Vice Consul and retired artillery officer employed on intelligence work was arrested and interred. The staff of the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in Cairo, Egypt was interred in Malta. Mr Otto Schmidt was given a separate room and one of the prisoners was allowed to wait upon him. The wives of POWs resident in Malta were confined to their own homes.

21 Aug The Detention Barracks at Corradino was reopened. It admitted soldiers awarded Field Punishment with 14 days No 1 and over, and those sentenced by Courts Martial to imprisonment, hard labour and detention. POWs punished by the Assistant Provost Marshal were also confined in the Detention Barracks. Active Service conditions for discipline was proclaimed on 18 August 1914.

22 Aug The Crew of the German Steam Ship (S. S.) Erymanthos (29) and 1 passenger were arrested. The ship was sealed by the Collector of Customs. The detained crew was landed near St Paul's Petroleum Tanks and sent to Floriana Casemate Barracks in motor ambulance. A total of 99 POWs were in detention. On 23 August, a sick detainee was admitted to Mtarfa Hospital. Malta became a permanent place of internment for Prisoners of War.

30 Sept Four NCOs MPSC joined the Infantry Brigade (one to each battalion) as instructors in Physical Training and Musketry.

11 Oct LCpl Britton MFP was attached for duty with 4th Bn London Regiment at Ghajn Tuffieha. Sgt Bath, LCpl Dever, LCpl Aston moved to Corradino for duty in the Detention Barracks.

29 Oct 1914 Verdala Barracks and St Clement's Parade Ground replaced Floriana Casemate Barracks as a camp for Prisoners of War. Stores and equipment were moved from the Ospizio and the Marina Ordnance Stores to Verdala Barracks.

3 Nov The office of the Assistant Provost Marshal moved to the Sergeant's Mess Verdala Barracks. The Prisoners of War were transferred from Casemate Barracks Floriana to St Clement's Parade Ground, Verdala Barracks. The first ambulance left Floriana at 08:00; the last ambulance arrived at Verdala about 14:00 hours. A canteen opened at St Clement's Parade Ground. The POWs were allowed to buy a pint of beer at dinner time and a pint at night. Mr Rigden, Manager of Messers R Dickeson, Malta made the necessary arrangements for the canteen at Verdala Barracks.

4 Nov The S. S. Osmanieh entered the Grand Harbour and disembarked 500 POWs who were taken to St Clement's Parade Ground. More POWs arrived from Egypt on the same ship on 1 December 1914.

25 Nov The office of the Assistant Provost Marshal moved from the Sergeant's Mess St Clement's Parade Ground to the Orderly Room, Verdala Barracks. Lieut H. R. Gatt RMA, Garrison Adjutant, joined for duty under the Assistant Provost Marshal.

6 Dec 1914 150 POWs, officers and crew, of SMS Emden arrived on HMS Hampshire and were interred in Verdala Barracks. Among them was Prince Franz Josef (Lieut von Hohenzollern).

10 Dec Major Rudolf Huber, a German POW, died at Cottonera Hospital. His funeral was held on 12 December at the Addolorata Cemetery where he was buried with full military honours. The funeral was attended by Captain H. L. Carlton, Assistant Provost Marshal and Lt H. R. Gatt RMA. A party of 200 men of the 2nd/KOMRM under the command of Major J. V. Aspinall formed the honour guard.

15 Dec Mohammed Nasir, a Turkish POW, died at the Military Hospital Cottonera. He was buried at the Ottoman Cemetery, Marsa on 17 December.

20 Dec H. T. Medic arrived with 75 POWs from Egypt.

21 Dec 1914 Upper Salvatore Barracks and the Red House near Fort San Rocco were prepared to accommodate POWs.

1915 Military Foot Police

4 Jan 1915 The crew of the Emden consisting of 7 WOs and 122 men were transferred to Salvatore Barracks.

6 Jan Small pox was diagnosed in a German POW at Verdala Barracks. The patient was isolated at Cottonera Hospital and contacts vaccinated. On 17 January another three suspicious cases of small pox were detected among the German POWs. Cottonera hospital only had six isolation beds.

12 Jan Captain G. Goldie–Taubman took over the duties of Assistant Provost Marshal from Captain H. L. Carlton.

3 Mar The crew of the Emden interred in Salvatore Barracks was visited by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief Malta Garrison.

1 May 1915 The funeral of Virgilio Mengotti, an Austrian prisoner of war who died at Cottonera Hospital on 29 April took place on 1 May. He was buried at the Adolorata Cemetery. Capt G. Goldie–Taubman, Assistant Provost Marshal, and Lieut H. R. Gatt, Assistant Commandant, attended the funeral.

1919 Military Foot Police

1920 Military Foot Police

1 Nov 1920 Strength: Detachment of 24 rank and file.

1921 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1921 Strength: Detachment of 22 rank and file.

1922 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1922 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1923 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1923 Strength: Detachment of 14 rank and file.

25 Oct 1923 Cecil Robert Basey son of Florence Mary and L/Cpl Edward Cecil Basey MFP of Imtarfa Barracks, born on 10 Oct 1923, was baptised at St Oswalds Church Mtarfa.

1924 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1924 Strength: Detachment of 14 rank and file.

1925 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1925 Strength: Detachment of 14 rank and file.

1926 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1926 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1927 Military Foot Police

1 Jan 1927 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1928 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1928 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1929 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1929 Strength: Detachment of 14 rank and file.

1930 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1930 Strength: Detachment of 16 rank and file.

1931 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1931 Strength: Detachment of 16 rank and file.

1932 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1932 Strength: Detachment of 18 rank and file.

1933 Corps of Military Police

1 Jan 1933 Strength: Detachment of 16 rank and file.

1934 Corps of Military Police

31 Dec 1934 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1935 Corps of Military Police

30 June 1935 Strength: Detachment of 15 rank and file.

1936 Corps of Military Police

30 June 1936 Strength: Detachment of 9 rank and file.

1937 Corps of Military Police

31 Dec 1937 Strength: Detachment of 9 rank and file.

1938 Corps of Military Police

30 June 1938 Strength: Detachment of 9 rank and file.

1939 Corps of Military Police

30 June 1939 Strength: Detachment of 7 rank and file.

1940 226 Provo Coy RMP

30 June 1940 Strength: Detachment of 18 rank and file.

1941 226 Provo Coy RMP

31 Mar 1941 Strength: Detachment of 27 rank and file.

30 Sept 1941 Strength: Detachment of 39 rank and file.

1942 226 Provo Coy RMP

27 June 1942 Strength: Detachment of 119 rank and file.

1943 226 Provo Coy RMP

30 June 1943 Strength: Detachment of 49 rank and file.

1944 226 Provo Coy RMP

30 June 1944 Strength: Detachment of 56 rank and file.

1961 RMP

1960 RMP

2 Apr 1961 Lynne Redsull daughter of Mavis Kathleen and L/Cpl Brian Richard Redsull RMP of 1 Blackpool Flats Constitution Street Mosta, born 24 Jan 1961, was baptised at St Oswald's Church Mtarfa.

References

TNA:WO 73/60, 1900 Jan-June; Office of the Commander-in-Chief and War Office: distribution of the army monthly returns.
TNA:WO 73/61, 1900 July-Dec; Office of the Commander-in-Chief and War Office: distribution of the army monthly returns.
TNA:WO 73/62, 1901 Jan-June; Office of the Commander-in-Chief and War Office: distribution of the army monthly returns.
TNA:WO 154/325, War Diary Assistant Provost Marshal Malta August 1914–May 1915.
TNA:ADM 338/54. Baptisms in the Garrison of Malta in St Oswald's Church Mtarfa.
TNA:WO 156/115. Register of burials in the military cemetery Rinella from January 1890 to January 1908.
TNA:WO 156/113. Register of burials September 1853 to June 1862.
TNA:WO 156/600. Register No 19. Baptisms in the Chapel School of Margherita and in the Zejtun Gate Church Room between 29 April 1913 to 11 August 1918.
TNA:WO 156/594. No 2, Baptism Register 2 January 1820 to 29 June 1839.
TNA:WO 156/602. Baptism Register of the Church of St Matthews Ricasoli from 9 March 1913 to 18 August 1929.
TNA:WO 156/599. Baptism Register of the Barracca Church Valletta from 18 August 1916 to 6 November 1949.
TNA:WO 156/598. Baptism Register No 16; Malta from 20 February 1898 to 17 July 1916.