The Royal Warwickshire Regiment (6th)
The Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in 1673 as part of British troops for Dutch service against France. It was taken on the English establishment in 1688.
In 1743, it was numbered the 6th Regiment of Foot, to which 1st Warwickshire was added in 1782.
On 4 June 1827, royal approval was granted for the 6th to bear on its Colours the words Rolica, Vimeira, Corunna, Vitoria, and Nivelle, in commemoration of its distinguished conduct at the battle of Rolica (17 Aug 1808), at Vimeira (21 Aug 1808), at Corunna (16 Jan 1809), at Vitoria (21 June 1813) and at Nivelle (10 Nov 1813).
On 15 June 1832, the 6th Foot became a Royal Regiment and its facings were accordingly changed from orange to blue.
On 1 July 1881, the 6th (Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot became the The 1st Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
In 1963, the regimental title changed to The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers. In April 1968, the regiment merged with the 5th (The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers), the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers, and the 7th (The Royal Fusiliers – City of London) to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
The 1st/The Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1895 1st/Royal Warwickshire
5 Nov 1895 The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment embarked at Southampton from Chatham. It disembarked at Malta on 14 November.
It had an average strength of 69 men with 52 admissions (753.6/1000 mean strength) into hospital.
Its average constantly sick was 2.50 (36.23/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 13.22 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 17.55 days.
The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment was quartered at Fort Chambray Gozo and Pembroke Camp for 6 weeks.
1896 1st/Royal Warwickshire
The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment had an average strength of 868 men. It had 812 admissions (935.5/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 4 deaths (4.61/1000 mean strength). 4 invalids returned to England.
Its average constantly sick was 38.60 (44.47/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 16.28 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 17.40 days.
The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment was quartered at Fort Chambray Gozo for 12 months. It had detachments at Pembroke Camp.
21 Feb 1896 Death of Captain Carey at Pembroke Camp from enteric fever; Private Lucas died mid February also of enteric fever. In March, the Earl of Buckinghamshire asked the Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry had been instituted into the sanitary arrangements at Pembroke Camp. He also wished to know the amount of money which had been spent there on sanitary arrangements since the last outbreak of enteric fever, and the cause of death of Captain Carey and Private Lucas.
The Earl remarked that he had received information that Pembroke Camp was in a shockingly insanitary condition. In consequence of deaths from enteric fever some time since, the drains had been opened and examined, and though they were found to be in a very foul condition and dangerous to the health of the troops, no prompt remedial measures were taken. Thus, the troops of the two regiments stationed at the camp had been obliged to turn out into the parade ground because of the insanitary condition of the barracks. He hoped the Secretary for War would be able to assure the House that the matter would be immediately attended to, and that the report of the joint civil and military committee as to the condition of the camp in question at Malta would be acted upon.
The Marquis of Lansdowne replied that the last inquiry into the sanitary condition of Pembroke Camp, Malta, had been held by a joint civil and military committee early in 1894. This inquiry revealed grave defects in the sanitary arrangements of Pembroke Camp, the chief points requiring attention being the water supply, which was shown to be polluted, and the drainage, which required complete renovation. Suspicion had been also cast on the supply of mineral waters and milk by hawkers to the soldiers, and the attention of the General Officer Commanding had been called to this point.
Consequently, the polluted water supply had been cut off, and none but aqueduct water was now used. The question of renovating the drainage of the camp had proved a more difficult one, as a complete scheme for remodelling the drainage of the whole island had been under consideration, and a thorough reconstruction of the sewers of the camp could only be undertaken in connection with it. Much had, however, been done to improve the sanitation. The remodelling of the drainage of the upper half of the camp had been sanctioned in May last, and considerable progress had been made with the work.
As to the second part of the question, he was afraid he could not say what amount had been spent on the drainage since the last outbreak of enteric fever, which he regretted to say occurred only a month or two ago, Captain Carey dying on Feb21st and Private Lucas about the same time. During 1895, a very considerable sum had been devoted to the partial remodelling to which he had already referred. As, however, this had been done in connection with the reconstruction of a part of the barracks and the specific expenditure on drainage had not been earmarked, he was afraid he could not state its exact amount.
Baptisms in 1896:
- 28 July Marguerite Neale born 11 May 1896, daughter of Anna and Sgt Maj Henry John Neale of Pembroke Camp.
- 9 Aug Ethel Mary Vincent born 14 June 1896, daughter of Mary Maria and CSgt William James Vincent of Pembroke Camp.
- 30 Aug Catharine Annie Moran born 16 Feb 1896, daughter of Sarah Elizabeth and Sgt John Moran of Gozo.
- 30 Aug Edward James Glater born 23 Feb 1896, son of Jane and Sgt James Glater of Gozo.
- 4 Oct Edward James Tilley born 28 Aug 1896, son of Lucy Elizabeth and Band Sgt George William Tilley of Pembroke Camp.
- 18 Oct Ada Annie Pitt born 1 Oct 1896, daughter of Sarah Annie and Sgt George Frederick Pitt of Pembroke Camp.
- 15 Nov William Henry Head born 17 Oct 1896, son of Emma and Drm William Head of Pembroke Camp.
- 30 Dec Ada Harrison born 9 Dec 1896, daughter of Ada and Sgt William Harrison of Pembroke Camp.
Burials at Pietà Military Cemetery in 1896:
- 7 Feb Pte James Lucas aged 31 years.
- 17 June Unbaptized male child of Cpl Davis.
- 22 July Pte Arthur Edward Levell aged 24 years.
- 22 July Still born child of Sgt Hudson.
- 1 Aug Pte Frederick Mills aged 24 years.
- 28 Nov Pte William Farrell, aged 22 years 2 months.
1897 1st/Royal Warwickshire
The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment had an average strength of 63 men. It had 34 admissions (539.7/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 1 death (15.87/1000 mean strength). 6 invalids returned to England.
Its average constantly sick was 2.86 (45.40/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 16.57 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 30.70 days.
In January 1897, The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment was quartered at Pembroke Camp for 20 days.
21 Jan The 1st/Royal Warwickshire Regiment embarked for Egypt, arriving there on 24 Jan 1897. It embarked for Bombay from Egypt on 18 Oct 1898.
Burials at Pietà Military Cemetery in 1897:
- 18 Jan Pte Thomas Warden, aged 21 years.
The 2nd/The Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1912 2nd/Royal Warwickshire
22 Nov 1912 The 2nd/Royal Warwickshire Regiment embarked on the Dongola in Southampton from Portland Barracks Dorset. It disembarked in Malta on 29 Nov 1912.
1913 2nd/Royal Warwickshire
Baptisms in the Zejtun Gate Church Room in 1913:
- 18 May Elizabeth Esther Shelley born on 21 April, daughter of Nellie and Sgt John Thomas Shelley of Verdala Barracks.
- 26 June Joan Marjorie West born on 23 May, daughter of Elizabeth and Sgt Thomas West of New Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 7 July Arthur Gregory Garvey born on 12 June, son of Sarah Ann and Sgt John Garvey of St Nicholas Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 20 July Patrick Vincent Smith born on 6 June, son of Hilda Smith and Cpl Thomas Patrick Vincent of Old Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 28 July Twin Ethel Lillie Webb born on 4 July, daughter of Edith Frances and Cpl William Webb of Old Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 28 July Twin Francis William Harold Webb born on 4 July, son of Edith Frances and Cpl William Webb of Old Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 16 Aug Benjamin Morris Davies born on 12 August, son of Jane and Cpl Benjamin Morris Davies of Old Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 17 Aug Lilian Blueneu Johnson born on 6 July, daughter of Daisy and CSgt George Washington Johnson of New Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 31 Aug Charles Wilfred Moon born on 31 July, son of Clarissa and CSgt John Charles Moon of Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 9 Nov Phyllis Eveline Luckman born on 16 October, daughter of Alice Gertrude and Sgt William Luckman of Married Quarters Verdala Barracks.
- 27 Dec Edward Walter Anthony Yorke born on 28 November, son of Emily and Sgt Edward Walter Yorke of New Quarters Verdala Barracks.
Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1913:
- 2 Mar Mercy Borington Cardy born on 28 January 1913, daughter of Mercy and CSgt Arthur George Cardy of New Quarters, Verdala Barracks.
- 16 Mar Joan Lydia Reeves born on 1 February 1913, daughter of Lucy and CSgt Frederick William Walter Reeves of New Married Quarters, Verdala Barracks.
- 16 Aug Benjamin Morris Davies born on 12 August 1913, daughter of Jane and Cpl Benjamin Morris Davies of the Married Quarters, Verdala Barracks.
- 23 Nov Roy Dongen born on 23 November 1913, son of Margaret and Sgt Dongen, of Librarian's Quarters, St Clements, Verdala Barracks.
1914 2nd/Royal Warwickshire
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. All units in Malta had draw their ammunition by midnight 30 July other than the Army Pay Corps.
24 Aug Ordnance Stores Malta started packing mobilisation equipment for the regiment.
29 Aug The 2nd Bn drew its mobilisation equipment from Ordnance Stores Malta.
3 Sep The 2nd/Royal Warwickshire embarked for England on H. T. Ultonia to fight in the Great War.
Baptisms in Mtarfa Church Room in 1913:
- 7 Mar Frederick Edwin Sydney son of Edwina Beatrice and Cpl Frederick George Girling of Imtarfa Barracks.
The 3rd/The Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1898 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
| Average Strength | Admissions Hospital | Deaths | Admissions/1000 | Deaths/1000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330 | 575 | 2 | 1742 | 6 |
| Admissions into hospital and deaths during the year with ratio of admissions and deaths per 1000 of strength. The average strength of the troops, exclusive of the Royal Malta Artillery, was 7,390 men. | ||||
1 July 1898 The 3rd/Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed in Chatham on 1 April 1898. It moved from Chatham to Gravesend, Kent on 26 April and embarked for Malta on 1 July.
The 3rd/Royal Warwickshire Regiment disembarked in Malta on 12 July 1898. It was quartered at Verdala Barracks for 5 months.
Its average constantly sick was 22.93 (69.18/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 25.36 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 14.56 days.
Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1898:
- 16 Oct Victoria Violet Maude Stevens born on 21 July 1897, daughter of L/Cpl George Stevens and Annie Hannah, resident at Cottonera.
- 16 Oct George Edward James Stevens born on 9 September 1898, son of L/Cpl George Stevens and Annie Hannah, resident at Cottonera.
Burials in Rinella Military Cemetery in 1898:
- 22 July Arthur Edward Amor aged 14 months, died at Cottonera.
- 16 Aug Christina Mary Jeliffe aged 11 months, daughter of Cpl Jeliffe died at Zabbar Gate Barracks.
- 12 Dec Pte George Gosling aged 19 years, died at Cottonera.
- 22 Dec Pte Harry Smith aged 20 years, died at Cottonera.
1899 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
1 June 1899 Strength: 920 men located at Verdala Barracks. The battalion moved into Mellieha Camp in July 1899.
1 Dec Strength: 969 men located at Floriana Barracks.
Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1899:
- 5 Feb Beryl Melita Taylor born on 16 Jan 1899, daughter of QM Daniel Taylor and Alice Maud Mary, resident at Cottonera.
- 1 Oct George Arthur Shear born on 20 Sep 1899, son of Sgt Arthur Shear and Lily, resident at Verdala Barracks.
- 28 Oct Lilian Rose Emma Heath born on 31 July 1899, daughter of Sgt George Sydney Heath and Rose Hannah, resident at Floriana.
- 1 Nov Mildred Florence Field born on 13 Sep 1899, daughter of Cpl George Field and Sarah Ann, resident at Valletta.
- 4 Nov Winifred Ethel May Smith born on 23 Sep 1899, daughter of Sgt William Henry Smith and Ellen Elizabeth, resident at Floriana.
Burials in Rinella Military Cemetery in 1899:
- 7 Mar Armourer Sgt William Fieldhouse aged 30 years died at Cottonera.
- 13 Mar Pte James Charles Hunt aged 18 years died at Cottonera.
- 23 Mar George Dennis Nagle aged 9 months son of Pte Nagle died at Cottonera.
- 2 June Kathleen Hannah Emmon aged 14 days daughter of Cpl Prentice Emmon died at Cottonera.
- 7 June Minot Williams aged 10 minutes son of CSgt died at Cottonera.
- 7 Aug William Ernest Jennings aged a few minutes son of Cpl died at Cottonera.
- 21 Aug Maria Stephen Jennings aged 30 years, wife of Cpl William Jennings died at Cottonera.
- 24 Oct Albert Callender aged 9 months, son of Sgt died at Cottonera.
Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1899:
- 13 Feb Pte Albert Jolley aged 19 years.
- 11 Apr Mrs Mabel Langley, aged 22 years, wife of Sgt Langley.
- 3 Nov Pte Edward Kelly, aged 29 years 2 months.
- 15 Dec Infant Dora Charlotte Lowe, aged 8 days, daughter of Pte Lowe.
- 29 Dec Infant Dorothy Alice Jane Seare, aged 9 months, daughter of CSgt Seare.
1900 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
1 Jan 1900 Strength: 939 men located at Floriana Barracks.
1 July Strength: 855 men.
Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1900:
- 14 Feb George Clifford Sweeting born on 29 January 1900, son of Florence Kate and L/Cpl Charles Sweeting, resident at Valletta.
- 24 Oct Frances May Ackroyd born on 9 September 1900, daughter of Edith and Pte William Ackroyd, resident at Valletta.
Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1900:
(Mtarfa Military Cemetery)
- 29 Mar Pte Henry Tulley, aged 27 years 11 months.
- 19 June Pte Herbert Sidney, aged 22 years 3 months.
- 7 Aug Mrs Elizabeth Wiltshire, aged 29 years, wife of Sgt Wiltshire.
- 17 Oct Infant Victor Mafeking Callender aged 5 months, son of CSgt Callender.
- 8 Nov Pte Arthur Edmonds aged 19 years 7 months.
Burials in Mtarfa Military Cemetery in 1900:
- 30 Nov Sgt George Dean aged 35 yrs, died at Mellieha Camp and was buried at Mtarfa Military Cemetery.
1901 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
1901 Strength: 834 men located at St George's Barracks Pembroke.
Baptisms in 1901:
- 20 Jan Phyllis Marjorie Taylor born on 29 November 1900, daughter of Alice Maud Mary and Lt QM Daniel Taylor, resident at Floriana Barracks.
- 20 Jan Irene Minot Williams born on 1 January 1901, daughter of Ada and CSgt George Williams, resident at Floriana Barracks.
Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1901:
- 2 Feb Pte Albert Edward Wassall, aged 20 years 7 months.
- 15 Mar Pte George Henry Sparrow, aged 32 years 6 months.
1902 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
28 Oct The 3rd/Royal Warwickshire embarked on the Staffordshire for Bermuda, where it arrived on 15 Nov 1902.
Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1902:
- 14 Jan Sgt Ernest Woodfield, aged 27 years.
- 23 June Reginald Vaughan Roberts, aged 2 years 6 months from Pembroke.
- 9 July Pte William Henry Heath, aged 19 years.
- 8 Oct Sgt Charles Henry Dimbleby 3rd Bn of Louth, died on 7 Oct 1902, aged 27 years 10 months.
Burials in Mtarfa Military Cemetery in 1902:
- 25 Feb 1902 Pte William Burnell D Coy 3rd Bn, aged 30 yrs, drowned at St Paul's Bay on 24th Feb 1902.
1903 – 3rd/Royal Warwickshire
Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1903:
- 4 Jan Violet Melita Black born on 9 December 1902, daughter of Annie and Pte Thomas Black, resident at Pembroke Camp.
The 3rd/Royal Warwickshire disbanded at Bordon on 30 April 1907.
The 9th/The Royal Warwickshire Regiment
The 9th/The Royal Warwickshire Regiment landed at Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula between 6 and 16 July 1915 to relieve the 29th Division.
Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1915:
- 22 Aug Pte Simmonds Thomas aged 21 yrs.
- 22 Aug Pte Roberts S H H aged 24 yrs.
Bibliography
- Farmer J. S., 1984. The regimental records of the British Army Reprint Edition, Trowbridge, Wiltshire: Crecy Books.
- Edwards T. J., 1980. Regimental Badges First Edition, Tonbridge, Kent: Ernest Benn Ltd.
- TNA:ADM 338/54. Baptisms in the Garrison of Malta in the Imtarfa Church Room.
- TNA:WO 379/11. Stations of Regiments 1859–1900.
- TNA:WO 379/15. Stations of Regiments 1901–1920.
- TNA:WO 156/115. Register of burials in the military cemetery Rinella from January 1890 to January 1908.
- TNA:WO 156/598. Baptism Register No 16; Malta from 20 February 1898 to 17 July 1916.
- 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.
- Medico Parliamentary, Camp arrangements at Malta – Pembroke Camp. Br Med J (1896), 1; 824 (Published 28 March 1896).