Regiments
Of the Malta Garrison
Army Ordnance Corps

The Army Ordnance Corps

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Within the Garter with its motto, the Shield and Arms of the Board of Ordnance (three cannon balls in a row at the top of the Shield and three old muzzle-loading cannon one above the other below). On a scroll below the Garter is inscribed Royal Army Ordnance Corps; the whole surrounded by a crown.
From March 1947, the scroll was inscribed with the motto Sua Tela Tonanti - Of Jupiter — Thundering forth his weapons.

The Board of Ordnance originated in the 14th century and supplied the army with its armaments and ammunition. At the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802) a Field Train Department was set up within the Board. The Board ceased to exist in 1855 when its responsibilities were transferred to the Secretary of State for War, the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers.

During 1857, two departments both based at the Tower of London, the Military Store Department (officers) and the Corps of Armourer-Sergeants (other ranks) were set up to carry out these functions. The Field Train Department was disbanded in 1859.

In 1865, the Corps of Armourer–Sergeants was renamed the Military Store Staff Corps (MSSC). In 1869, the transport and supply functions of the MSSC were transferred to the new Army Service Corps (ASC) and the Military Store Department was renamed the Control Department.

The Royal Warrant dated 27 November 1875, abolished the title of Control Department. Two departments were formed designated respectively The Commissariat and Transport Department (CTD) and The Ordnance Store Department (OSD). Two years later the MSSC was transferred to the Army Service Corps as that unit's Ordnance Store Branch (OSB).

In 1881, The Ordnance Store Branch (OSB) was renamed the Ordnance Store Corps (OSC) which in 1896 became the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC). The Ordnance Store Department was renamed the Army Ordnance Department (AOD).

In November 1918, the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) and the Army Ordnance Department (AOD) amalgamated to form a new Army Ordnance Corps. The prefix Royal was granted in 1918.

The Army Ordnance Corps

1820 Ordnance Department

Marriages in 1820:

Baptisms in 1820:

1821 Ordnance Department

Marriages in 1821:

Baptisms in 1821:

1822 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1822:

1823 Ordnance Department

Burials in 1823:

1824 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1824:

Burials in 1824:

1825 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1825:

1826 Ordnance Department

Marriages in 1826:

Baptisms in 1826:

1827 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1827:

Burials in 1827:

1828 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1828:

Burials in 1828:

1829 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1829:

Burials in 1829:

1830 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1830:

Burials in 1830:

1831 Ordnance Department

Burials in 1831:

1832 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1832:

1833 Ordnance Department

Staff Ordnance Department:

Baptisms in 1833:

Burials in 1833:

1834 Ordnance Department

The Ordnance Department was responsible for the upkeep of barracks and military hospitals. In 1834, the Civil Government placed all its barrack buildings at the disposal of the garrison. The barracks under the charge of the Ordnance Department were capable of accommodating 189 officers, 6,971 men and 33 horses. In addition, there were certain houses belonging to the Government of Malta which were occupied by the military. These houses were lent conditionally to the military department by the Civil Commissioner Sir Hildebrand Oakes. When the garrison was reduced to its present peace establishment Sit Thomas Maitland requested the return of this property to the Civil Government. However, this requested was not complied with and the Ordnance Department continued to claim these buildings as forming part of the Ordnance Barrack accommodation of the garrison.

The Long Ward of the General Hospital in Valletta had been let as storage to a wine merchant, while the cellars under this ward were used as apothecary stores. As the Ordnance Department did not allow mixed occupancy of its buildings, the Long Ward was returned to their charge.

H Baker
Hannah Baker, died 11 Jan 1834 aged 52 years (Msida Bastion Cemetery Floriana).

The General Hospital in Valletta had accommodation for 16 officers while the hospital in Floriana for one officer. In 1834, Barrack Regulations stipulated that an Assistant Inspector of Hospital holding the equivalent rank of a Field Office was entitled to two rooms. Captains and Subaltern had only one room. The regulations of 1832 had allowed staff and civil officers residing in barracks four rooms for Field Officers, three rooms for captains and two rooms for subalterns.

Burials in 1834:

1835 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1835:

1836 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1836:

1837 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1837:

1838 Ordnance Department

1839 Ordnance Department

1840 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1840:

1841 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1841:

1842 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1842:

1843 Ordnance Department

1844 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1844:

1845 Ordnance Department

1846 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1846:

1847 Ordnance Department

1848 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1848:

1849 Ordnance Department

1852 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1852:

Burials in 1852:

1853 Ordnance Department

Baptisms in 1853:

Burials in 1853:

1881 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 6 men. There was one admission into hospital.

1882 Ordnance Store Corps

1883 Ordnance Store Corps

1884 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 10 men. It had 4 admissions into hospital.

1885 Ordnance Store Corps

James Gossling
Sgt James Gossling Ordnance Store Corps died on 5 June 1885 aged 32 yrs. (Pieta Cemetery)

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 6 men. It had 5 admissions into hospital with 1 death.

1886 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 4 men.

Baptisms in 1886:

1887 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 11 men with 4 admissions into hospital.

Burials in 1887:

1888 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 12 men with 2 admissions into hospital.

Baptisms in 1888:

1889 Ordnance Store Corps

The Ordnance Store Corps had an average strength of 5 men.

Baptisms in the Garrison Church, Valletta in 1889:

Elizabeth Crow
Elizabeth Crow Parker wife of Henry Parker died 31 July 1889 (Ta Braxia Cemetery).

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889:

1890 Ordnance Store Corps

Strength: 6 men.

Baptisms in 1890:

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1890:

1891 Ordnance Store Corps

Haldane William Sidney
Colonel Haldane William Sidney Deputy Commissariat General of Ordnance died suddenly 12 July 1891 aged 54 yrs
(Ta' Braxia Cemetery Pieta)

Strength: 9 men.

Baptisms in 1891:

1892 Ordnance Store Corps

Strength: 11 men.

Baptisms in 1892:

1893 Ordnance Store Corps

Strength: 13 men.

Burials in Rinella Military Cemetery in 1893:

1894 Ordnance Store Corps

Strength: 14 men.

1895 Ordnance Store Corps

Strength: 24 men.

Baptisms in 1895:

1896 Army Ordnance Corps

Strength: 24 men

Baptisms in 1896:

1897 Army Ordnance Corps

The Army Ordnance Corps had an average strength of 35 men. It had 10 admissions into hospital (824.9/1000 mean strength) with 1 death (42.86/1000 mean strength). 1 invalid returned to England.

Burials in 1897:

1898 Army Ordnance Corps

The Army Ordnance Corps had an average strength of 36 men. It had 27 admissions into hospital with 1 death.

The men were quartered in the Old Laboratory, Valletta.

Burials in 1898:

1899 Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1899 Strength: 36 men.

1 June Strength: 41 men.

1900 No 8 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1900 Strength: 39 men. Detachments left for South Africa.

1 July Strength: 38 men.

Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1900:

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1900:

1901 No 8 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

1901 Strength: Detachment of 38 men.

1902 No 8 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

May 1902 No 8 Coy was replaced by No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps.

Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1902:

Burials in 1902:

1903 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

1903 Stationed at Marsamxetto Barracks Valletta.

Chief Ordnance Office: 3 Strada Scozzese Valletta.

Army Ordnance Officer's Office: 154 Strada Zecca Valletta.

1904 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms Garrison Church in 1904:

Burials in 1904:

1905 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Marsamxetto Barracks
Marsamxetto Barracks.

1905 Location: Marsamxetto Barracks. These consisted of two arched casemates on the ground floor each accommodating 41 men.

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1905:

1906 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1906:

1907 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

1908 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1908:

1909 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in 1909:

1910 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1910:

1911 No 21 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in 1911:

1912 No 9 Coy Army Ordnance Corps (Malta Section)

1 Jan 1912 No 21 Coy.

1 Apr No 9 Coy Malta Section Mediterranean Command.

Baptisms in 1912:

1913 No 9 Coy Army Ordnance Corps (Malta Section)

Baptisms in Imtarfa Church Room in 1913:

Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1913:

1914 No 9 Coy Army Ordnance Corps (Malta Section)

29 July 1914 Mobilisation Order received at midnight. By 01:00 hrs 30 July all depôts were opened and stores and equipment were prepared for issue before units arrived to draw them. All units in Malta had drew their ammunition by midnight 30 July other than the AP Corps.

5 Aug Under the provisions of the Defence Scheme the Assistant Director of Stores and Transport (ADST) was directed to complete four and a half months supplies including hospital supplies. The supplies were purchased locally and as quickly as possible as prices were rising. Fuel wood and coal to complete stocks to the required reserve were purchased from the contractors but in certain cases at prices in excess of the contract rates.

8 Aug Capt R. B. Tyrrell AOD took over the duties of Ordnance Department Malta as a temporary measure.

1,000 identity discs were manufactured for the Army Service Corps (ASC) hired transport drivers.

10 Aug Two hundred 15 pdr shells were issued to OC Fort Ricasoli Sub District in lieu of shell fitted with night tracers, not available.

20 Aug Orders received for Colonel Bunny (ADOS) and four officers to be made ready to proceed to England and 21 NCOs and men as can be spared.

3 Sep Four officers (Capt C R Jones, Capt Haley, Capt Pollock, Lt Sidney) and 21 men of Malta Stores 9 Coy AOC embarked for England on H T Ultonia.

5 Sep 1914 Colonel Bunny ADOS sailed for England in P&O S. S. India. Capt R. B. Tyrrell AOD took over the duties of Ordnance Department Malta and OC M.S. 9 Coy AOC and OC Mobilisation. Lieut Williams took over the duties of OC Magazines and OC Cashier in addition to other duties.

Stores and depôts

12 Sep 2,000 blankets were sent to Ghajn Tuffieha in preparation for the Territorial Camp.

12 Oct 1914 Lieut A. J. Gatt RMA was attached to Ordnance department. He was to assist the ADOS at Headquarters Ordnance Office and sign documents on behalf of ADOS Malta Command. With the arrival of Lt Gatt RMA the post of OD Malta was suspended. Captain R. B. Tyrrell took over the duties of OC Ospizio depôt Store Section and visited the other depôts weekly on behalf of ADOS, who was also Censor Malta.

1915 Store Section Army Ordnance Corps

11 Jan 1915 Captain R. B. Tyrrell AOD was promoted Ordnance Officer 3rd Class with the rank of Major. Lieut S. Williams was promoted Deputy Commissary with the honorary rank of captain. Conductor S. Pegg was promoted Assistant Commissary of Ordnance with the honorary rank of Lieutenant. Lieut Luxtin took over the duties of Ordnance Officer Magazines from Capt Williams.

21 Jan Lt Col Maurice Spencer was appointed Ordnance Officer 1st Class and temporary Colonel from 8 December 1914. He was ADOS and Censor Malta.

25 Jan Lt Gatt RMA took over the duties of Ordnance Officer Mobilisation.

15 Mar Ordnance Stores issued camp equipment, carts and bicycles for 150 men proceeding to Gozo.

22 Mar Ordnance Stores issued long reins to Army Service Corps (ASC) for ambulance wagons carrying wounded up Margherita Hill Cospicua.

26 Mar 1915 Ordnance Stores issued bed boards and trestles to Forrest Hospital to supplement accommodation.

27 Mar Ordnance Stores issued hospital stores to officer in charge Barracks East to equip temporary hospital at Mtarfa. The issue of stores continued till 29th March.

29 Mar Major Tyrrell left for the Dardanelles in SS Errington Court to inspect the guns of HM Ships. Lieut A. J. Gatt RMA took over temporary command of M.S. G Coy AOC. Lieut S Pegg AOD took temporary charge of Ospizio depôt. Major Tyrrell returned from the Dardanelles on HMS Talbot on 10 April 1915.

29 Mar Local purchase of stores for Mtarfa Hospital.

31 Mar Ordnance Stores Malta altered the height of four Egyptian Pn. Ambulances to allow them to be driven through the Cottonera Gates.

5–7 Apr The Ospizio Stores received orders to manufacture 667 boards bed heads, 1500 bed boards (F.S.) and 98 bedside tables.

13 Apr Marina Stores received hospital clothing from contractors and was preparing to issue them.

14 Apr Ospizio Stores received an order for 200 boards bedhead, 201 tables bedside, 250 labels and several articles for the Valletta hospital.

24 Apr Hospital stores were shipped from England on S. S. Kashmir.

27 Apr Ospizio Stores reduced the height of two ambulances wagons and received orders for the manufacture of special splints and disinfecting tubs for hospitals.

27 Apr Major R. B. Tyrell AOD assumed the duties of ADOS on the admission of Colonel M. Spencer AOD to hospital.

17 May Large quantities of timber was purchased to manufacture hospital equipment.

20 May Demand for hospital equipment for 4000 beds received and forwarded to Supply Reserve Depôt.

29 May 1915 A consignment of hospital supplies arrived from England on S. S. Eden Hall.

Baptisms in 1915:

1916 Army Ordnance Corps

Malta Section No 9 Coy Army Ordnance Corps

Burials in 1916:

1917 Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in the Barracca Church Valletta in 1917:

1918 Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in the Barracca Church Valletta in 1918:

1919 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in the Barracca Church Valletta in 1919:

1920 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Baptisms in the Barracca Church Valletta in 1920:

1 Nov Strength: 7 officers, 33 men.

1921 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1921 Strength: 7 officers, 1 rank and file.

1922 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1922 Strength: 8 officers, 2 rank and file.

Baptisms in the Barracca Garrison Church Valletta in 1921:

1923 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1923 Strength: 8 officers, 2 rank and file.

1924 Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1 Jan 1924 Strength: 8 officers, 3 rank and file.

Burials in 1924:

Bibliography