35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment

The 35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment

The Star of the Order of the Garter over the Roussillon plume, with a scroll below inscribed the Royal Sussex. The 35th Foot defeated the French Regiment of Royal Roussillon at Quebec on 13 Sept 1759. It subsequently incorporated the white plume from the French head wear into its own. In 1901 the Roussillon Plume became part of the badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment.
(St Andrew's Barracks Guard House)

The 35th Regiment of Foot was raised at Belfast in 1701 by The 3rd Earl of Donegal. It was henceforth known as The Belfast Regiment.

In 1751 it was numbered 35th. It became associated with the County of Dorsetshire in 1782. A second battalion was raised in 1799, but this was disbanded in 1803. Both 1st and 2nd Battalions reinforced the Maltese insurgents in the blockade of the French Garrison forcing the French to capitulate on 5 September 1800. This led to the adoption of the Maltese Cross on the insignia of the 35th Regiment.

In June 1805, the 35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment changed its name to the 35th (Sussex) Regiment.

On 15 June 1832, the 35th (Sussex) Regiment became a Royal Regiment.

On 1 July 1881, the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment linked with the 107th Foot (Bengal Light Infantry) to form The 1st Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment. The 107th Bengal Light Infantry became The 2nd Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment.

General Orders issued by Maj Gen Villettes at Malta dated La Valetta 22 November 1802.

In consequence of the great addition which will be made to the strength of some of the regiments in this island, by the consolidations of their second battalions, and also in consideration of the extensive duty of this garrison, Major General Villettes finds it necessary to direct that a certain number of officers liable to be reduced to half pay, be retained as supernumeraries upon the strength of their respective regiments until further orders. The 27th Regiment to retain 1 Captain and 3 Subalterns.
All the regiments will retain their full establishment of three sergeants per company, considering those in England as supernumeraries, but from the above consideration, the Major General finds it expedient to order that the 20th, 27th and 35th Regiments can in like manner retain one sergeant per company as supernumeraries over and above the establishment of three sergeants per company until further orders.

The 1st/35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment

1800 1st/35th (Dorsetshire)

12 May 1800 The first Division of troops including the 1st and 2nd Battalions 35th Regiment, under the command of Major General Henry Pigot, arrived in Mahon from England on HMS Inflexible. On 17 May, Brigadier General Doyle arrived in Minorca from Gibraltar with the 18th Foot and 48th Foot. The troops disembarked and encamped at the entrance of the harbour on the Lazaretto.

4 July HMS Stately and HMS Niger with Major-General Henry Pigot arrived at Malta from Minorca. The 1st/35th disembarked at St Paul's Bay and marched to the country residence of Count Paolo Parisio Muscati at Naxxar.

5 Sep After the capitulation of the French, the Light Coy 1st/35th (100 men) moved into Fort Tigne under the command of Capt C. J. Riddell. Other coys took over Fort Lower St Elmo Barracks to form part of the embryonic garrison of Malta.

An infantry regiment was normally composed of ten companies. Six companies were called the Service Companies and served abroad under the command of their commanding officer.

The other four companies were called the Reserve Companies. These stayed at their Depôt in England and were commanded by a senior major. The role of the Reserve Companies was to feed recruits to the Service Companies and to serve in England as a sort of internal police. Officers and men moved between the Service Companies and the Reserve Companies.

From 1799 to 1801 the following companies of the 1st/35th Foot served in Malta:

Colonel's Henry Fletcher's
Lieutenant Colonel John Oswald's
Major Peter Hayes Petits'
Captain William Henry Bumbury's
Captain Richard Westerman's
Captain Charles Stickland's
Captain Christopher Clarges's
Captain William Sibbald's
Captain J B Manoury's
Captain Alexander FitzGerald's
Captain O'Byrnes's

The Colonel's Company held the HQ staff consisting of a major, an adjutant, 3 captains, a lieutenant, an ensign, a paymaster, a quartermaster, a surgeon and an assistant surgeon, 1 sergeant major, 1 quartermaster sergeant, 1 paymaster sergeant, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 2 drummers and 45 private men. In 1800, Captain O'Byrnes Coy was away recruiting.

Deaths between 25 June 1800 and 24 December 1800:

Colonel Fletcher's Coy
1. Pte John Armstrong 5 Aug.
2. Pte John Granger 14 Aug.
3. Pte James Hopson 23 Aug.
4. Pte Patrick Kane 19 Aug.
5. Pte John Kane 19 Aug.
6. Pte Andrew Sullivan 15 Aug.
7. Pte William Pugh between 25 July and 24 Aug.
8. Cpl William Hawes between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
9. Pte Thomas Bell between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
10. Pte Robert Green between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
11. Pte William Harrison between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
12. Pte Patrick Howe between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
13. Pte John Marchant between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
14. Pte Charles McCann between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
15. Pte Patrick O'Donald between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
16. Pte Richard Naughan between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
17. Pte James Weatherley between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
18. Pte Richard Charlcutt between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
19. Drm George Herrin 29 Oct.
20. Pte Francis Elliott between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
21. Pte James Harper between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
22. Pte Henry Waller between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
23. Sgt William Chipperfield between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Lt Col Oswald's Coy
1. Drm Thomas Benbow 18 Aug.
2. Pte Robert Blake between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
3. Pte John Ford between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Maj Petit's Coy
1. Pte John Bailey 1 July.
2. Pte James Pearson 27 June.
3. Pte Moses Phillips 4 July.
4. Sgt Francis Cripps between 25 July and 24 Aug.
5. Sgt George Riggs between 25 July and 24 Aug.
6. Pte Jeffery Aitch between 25 July and 24 Aug.
7. Pte John Blake between 25 July and 24 Aug.
8. Pte William Castle between 25 July and 24 Aug.
9. Pte Jonathan Cass between 25 July and 24 Aug.
10. Pte Adam Craig between 25 July and 24 Aug.
11. Pte William Humpleby between 25 July and 24 Aug.
12. Pte Andrew Ridge between 25 July and 24 Aug.
13. Pte Michael Walker between 25 July and 24 Aug.
14. Pte Joseph Broadley between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
15. Pte Robert Clabbon between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
16. Pte George Dennyer between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
17. Pte Robert Earle between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
18. Pte James Hamshire between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
19. Pte George Harrold between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
20. Pte George Knight between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
21. Pte William Lindsay between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
22. Pte Benjamin Page between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
23. Pte William Wagstaff between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
24. Pte L Peadon between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
25. Pte Richard Carpenter between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
26. Pte William Hills between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Bumbery's Coy
1. Pte David McMaster 25 June.
2. Pte Charles Connor between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
Capt Westerman's Coy
1. Pte John Boyle 24 June.
2. Pte Robert Fowler between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
3. Pte John O'Hara between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
4. Pte John Fourle between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
5. Pte Henry Bouts between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
6. Cpl Good between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
7. Pte Arthur McMahon between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
8. Pte James Bouts between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
9. Pte Joseph Johnson between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.

Capt Clarges's Coy
1. Pte Charles Muzzle 4 July.
2. Pte William Weller 30 June.
3. Pte David Greenhow between 25 July and 24 Aug.
4. Pte Benjamin Howe between 25 July and 24 Aug.
5. Pte Michael Synch between 25 July and 24 Aug.
6. Pte John Newcomb between 25 July and 24 Aug.
7. Pte Joseph Wilson between 25 July and 24 Aug.
8. Pte George Whiteley between 25 July and 24 Aug.
9. Pte Henry Ashdown between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
10. Pte Isaac Beck between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
11. Pte John Choleroft between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
12. Pte John McGuigan between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
13. Pte John McKown between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
14. Pte Thomas Potter between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
15. Pte Michael Rutledge between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
16. Pte Thomas Read between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
17. Pte George Wilson between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
18. Pte Robert Meyrick between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
19. Pte Joseph Nicholson between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
20. Pte John Ralph between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
21. Pte Robert Ludder between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
22. Pte William Stobbs between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
23. Pte Peter Marklin between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
24. Pte John Reynolds between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
25. Pte James Heseldon between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Sibbalds's Coy
1. Pte Richard Davies between 25 July and 24 Aug.
2. Pte John McMullin between 25 July and 24 Aug.
3. Pte Robert Marham between 25 July and 24 Aug.
4. Cpl Thomas Blandon between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
5. Pte John Langford between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
6. Pte Thomas McFadden between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
7. Pte Frazer Pearson between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
8. Pte Patrick Quinn between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
9. Pte William Smith between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
10. Pte William Waddie between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
11. Pte L Hughes between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
12. Pte William Charters between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
13. Pte William Petherland between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
14. Pte George Bates between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
15. Pte Samuel Penington between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Manoury's Coy
1. Cpl John Cooper between 25 July and 24 Aug.
2. Pte Thomas Brown between 25 July and 24 Aug.
3. Pte James Dingley between 25 July and 24 Aug.
4. Pte Thomas Steynor between 25 July and 24 Aug.
5. Pte Alexander Wright between 25 July and 24 Aug.
6. Pte John Anson between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
7. Pte H Holland between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
8. Pte Robert Knight between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
9. Pte William Marriott between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
10. Pte James McAlister between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
11. Pte Robert Parker between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
12. Pte Edward Redmon between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
13. Pte Richard Coyle between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
14. Pte Barney Hagan between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
15. Pte John McKimtry between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
16. Pte Robert Emmitt between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
Capt FitzGerald's Coy
1. Pte Daniel McAnally between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
2. Pte John Needham between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
3. Pte Charles Gorman between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
4. Pte William Jelley between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Stickland's Coy
1. Pte William Bennet 13 Nov.
2. Pte John Cocking between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
3. Pte Stephen Crabtree between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
4. Pte Peter McCartin 17 Nov.

1801 1st/35th (Dorsetshire) (Fletcher's Regiment)

The 1st/35th was at Vittoriosa with a detachment of 150 men at Fort Chambray, Gozo.

1 Jan 1801 Strength: 38 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 744 rank and file fit for duty, 77 rank and file sick, 930 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

May 1801 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 May 1801
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
38	9	71	741	50	900	998
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st May 1801. 1st/35th (Fletcher's)

Aug Monthly Returns to the Adjutant General show 1 attached surgeon and 2 assistant surgeons

5 Sep Regimental Strength: 1 Lt Col, 1 Maj, 7 Capts, 16 Lts, 6 Ensigns, 1 Pay Master, 1 Adjt, 1 QM, 1 Surg, 2 As Surgs, 41 SSgts, 21 Drummers, 752 men, 69 Sick in Hospital, 0 Deaths.

1 Nov Strength: 36 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 644 rank and file fit for duty, 90 rank and file sick, 853 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

1802 1st/35th (Dorsetshire) (Fletcher's Regiment)

1 Jan 1802 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 January 1802
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
38	10	71	599	87	795	998
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st January 1802. 1st/35th (Fletcher's)

1 Mar Strength: 33 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 622 rank and file fit for duty, 73 rank and file sick, 814 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

1 May Strength: 32 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 604 rank and file fit for duty, 46 rank and file sick, 738 total officers and men, 842 establishment.

21 July 244 men, 39 women and 24 children of the 1st/35th Foot embarked on the men-of-war Haarlem. They withdrew from Malta in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty of Amiens.

1 Aug Strength: 24 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 577 rank and file fit for duty, 63 rank and file sick, 720 total officers and men, 842 establishment.

1 Nov 1802 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 November 1802
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
26	11	56	706	68	856	843
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st November 1802. 1st/35th (Fletcher's)

1803 1st/35th (Dorsetshire)

24 May 1803 The 2nd/Dorsetshire disbanded in 1803. Strength 270 men.

26 Aug 1803–June 1804 The first payment of prize money from the proceeds of the sale of captured property in Malta on 4 Sep 1800 was paid to the officers and men 1st/35th Foot:

Lt Col John Oswald £845 11s 6d (30 Aug).
Maj Adam Hay £845 11s 6d (14 Sep).
Maj P A Petitt £845 11s 6d (3 Nov).
Capt W A Bunbury £90 7s 6d (22 Oct).
Capt Richard Westerman £90 7s 6d (14 Oct).
Capt Charles Strickland £90 7s 6d (10 Oct).
Capt Christopher Clarges £90 7s 6d (30 Aug).
Capt William Sibbalds £90 7s 6d (30 Aug).
Capt J B Manoury £90 7s 6d (7 Jan 1804).
Capt Alexander Fitzgerald £90 7s 6d (30 Aug).
Capt Henry Jarlton £90 7s 6d (31 Dec).
Ensign Richard Cust £43 4s 6d (31 Dec).
Ensign Thomas McNeill £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).
Ensign William Kent £43 4s 6d (31 Dec).
Ensign William Montgomery £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).
Ensign George Wilkinson £43 4s 6d (25 Aug).
Ensign William Rawson £43 4s 6d (30 aug).
Ensign J C Major £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).

Lt Robert Oswald £43 4s 6d (30 Sep).
Lt William Green £43 4s 6d (31 Dec).
Lt James Smith £43 4s 6d (31 Dec).
Lt C W Wall £43 4s 6d (31 Dec).
Lt Edward Irwin £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).
Lt Robert Westerman £43 4s 6d (14 Oct).
Lt Gregory Way £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).
Lt Richard Fowden £43 4s 6d (20 Sep).
Lt Jeremiah Fox £43 4s 6d (25 Aug).
Lt C A Bertensen £43 4s 6d (21 Oct).
Lt James Reynolds £43 4s 6d (26 Oct).
Lt Andrew Wilder £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).
Lt John Oke £43 4s 6d (14 Sep).
Lt R Firman £43 4s 6d (29 Aug).
Lt Jeremiah Digby £43 4s 6d (15 June 1804).
Lt Walter Dawson £43 4s 6d (30 Aug).

Entitled sergeants received a first payment of £18 10s 6d, corporals, drummers and privates all received £3 0s 6d.

1804 1st/35th (Dorsetshire) (Lennox's Regiment)

Ann Pike Wife of QM Sgt John Pike died 19 Feb 1804 aged 24 years (relocated to Pieta Military Cemetery)

1 Jan 1804 The 35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot was stationed at Malta under the command by Lt Col Oswald. It had a total strength of 1o53 men. The average strength for the year was 1042 men. On 1 August 1804, its strength dropped to 1023 men.

1 Sep 1804 Strength: 33 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 941 rank and file fit for duty, 97 rank and file sick, 1141 total officers and men, 853 establishment.

Burials in Military and Civil Cemetery Floriana in 1804:

Lt James Smyth died at Floriana on 28 Oct 1804.

1805 1st/35th (Sussex) (Lennox's Regiment)

1 July 1805 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 July 1805
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
27	20	56	927	89	1099	853
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st July 1805. 1st/35th (Lennox's)

1 Aug 1805 Strength: 30 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 944 rank and file fit for duty, 82 rank and file sick, 1112 total officers and men, 853 establishment.

The 35th was inspected by Sir James Craig who reported it to be composed of a wonderfully fine bodies of men.

June 1805 The Dorsetshire Regiment was renamed Sussex Regiment.

14 Aug Strength: 902 men with 67 Sick. The battalion was located at Floriana Barracks.

3 Nov The 1st/35th (Sussex) Regiment embarked for Naples on General Craig's Expedition.

The 1st/35th (Sussex) Regiment

1816 1st/35th (Sussex)

25 Mar – 24 Apr 1816 Detachments of the Sussex Regiment together with their surgeon and two assistant surgeons arrived from Corfu. The rest of the regiment disembarked from Corfu between 5 and 8 Sep 1816.

1817 1st/35th (Sussex)

1817 Strength: 721 men were located at Cottonera.

29 Sep–11 Oct 1817 The 1st/35th (Sussex) Regiment embarked for England.

The 1st/35th (Sussex) Regiment

1879 1st/35th (Royal Sussex)

Memorial — Pte C W Dalman 22 yrs 8 mths, Pte D Murrin 20 yrs 9 mths, Pte I Saunter 22 yrs 10 mths B Coy 35th Royal Sussex, drowned at Mercanti Rock 9 May 1879. (Pieta' Military Cemetery)

22 Jan 1879 The 1st/35th (Royal Sussex) embarked at Barbados. It disembarked at Malta on 1 Mar 1879.

The 35th Regiment had an average strength of 541 men. It had 461 admissions (852.1/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 8 deaths (14.79/1000 mean strength). 9 invalids were returned to England. Its average daily sick was 17.98 (33.24/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 12.13 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 14.24 days. Four men drowned during the year.

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1879:

12 Nov 1879 Pte John Stillston aged 23 years.

1880 1st/35th (Royal Sussex)

The 35th Foot had an average strength of 526 men. It had 488 admissions (927.7/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 11 deaths (20.91 deaths/1000 mean strength). Five deaths were from enteric fever. 16 invalids returned to England. Its average constantly sick was 24.27 (46.14/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 16.88 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 18.20 days.

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1880:

11 Feb 1880 Pte Henry Hupperton aged 23 years.
18 June Pte James Cole aged 24 years.

30 Sep 1880 Five coys of the 1st/35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment embarked for Cyprus where they arrived on 6 October 1880.

1881 1st/Royal Sussex

The 1st/Royal Sussex Regiment had an average strength of 355 men. It had 284 admissions (800/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 5 deaths (14.08/1000 mean strength). 11 invalids were returned to England. Its average daily sick was 16.58 (46.70/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 17.04 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 21.30 days.

1 July 1881 The 1st/35th became the 1st Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. The main body was at Cyprus with a detachment at Malta.

1882 1st/Royal Sussex

The 1st/Royal Sussex had an average strength of 212 men. It had 103 admissions (485.8/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 2 deaths (9.43 deaths/1000 mean strength). 8 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 6.93 (32.68/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 11.93 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 24.55 days.

The 1st/Royal Sussex embarked at Cyprus for Egypt on 9 Sep 1882 and disembarked in Egypt on 12 September.

It left Egypt for Portsmouth and on to Aldershot on 25 August 1885.

The 1st/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1899 1st/Royal Sussex

Sleeping officer — Officer of the 35th (Dorsetshire)
(Main Guard Valletta)

20 Sep 1899 The 1st/Royal Sussex Regiment completed manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain on 13 Sep 1898.

The 1st Royal Sussex, left Aldershot and embarked on the SS Sumatra on 20 September 1899. It arrived at Malta on 27 September, where 602 men disembarked and marched to Verdala Barracks, Cottonera.

Burials in 1899:

27 Nov Robert William Wayman aged 1 year 5 months, died at Zabbar Gate Barracks and was buried in Rinella Military Cemetery.

1900 1st/Royal Sussex

Sussex Regt — The regiment before it left for South Africa. From L to R are: Col J Spence DAG Malta, Mrs Gem, Lt Col B D A Donne, Sir Francis Grenfell Governor of Malta, Mrs Donne, Maj Gen Lord Congleton commanding the Infantry Bde Malta, Maj Gen A S H Gem, late commanding officer of 1st Sussex, Maj Du Moulin, Maj H H M O'Grady. In second row are Capts Aldridge and Panton, to left, with their wives. (The Transvaal War Album, Hudson and Kearns page 216 published c. 1900.)

Burials in 1900:

13 Jan 1900 Pte Edward Albert Webb aged 19 years, died at Cottonera and was buried in Rinella Military Cemetery

19 Feb 1900 750 men of the 1st Royal sussex Regiment under the command of Lt Col B D A Donne and Major Du Molin as second in command, embarked for East London, South Africa on the troop ship Panonia.

8 Mar 1900 A Detail 1st/Royal Sussex Regiment separated from the battalion at Malta and embarked for Chichester via Southampton where it disembarked on 20 Mar 1900.

The 1st/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1947 1st/Royal Sussex

1948 1st/Royal Sussex

15 Sep 1948 The 1st/Royal Sussex amalgamated with the 2nd Battalion at Malta.

The 1st/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1958 1st/Royal Sussex

The 1st/The Royal Sussex Regiment

The 107th Bengal Infantry
(Main Guard Valletta)

1963 1st/Royal Sussex

1964 1st/Royal Sussex

Jan 1964 The 1st/Royal Sussex arrived from England. It occupied St Andrew's Barracks.

1965 1st/Royal Sussex

Apr–Oct 1965 The battalion was in Aden as part of The Aden Brigade.

Dec 1965 the 1st/Royal Sussex returned to England.

The 2nd/35th (Dorsetshire) Regiment

1800 2nd/35th (Dorsetshire)

18 July 1800 On 23 June 1800, eight coys of the 35th Regt embarked at Minorca. 915 men arrived at Malta to reinforce the blockade of the French garrison.

The following companies of the 2nd/35th Foot served in Malta:

Colonel's Charles Lennox's
Lieutenant Colonel Archibald McAlister's
Major George Stewarts'
Captain William Howe Campbell's
Captain C J Riddell's

Captain J C Stronge's
Captain John Hardy's
Captain John Herries's
Captain James Money's
Captain E P Dormer's

Deaths between 25 July 1800 and 24 December 1800:

Colonel's Lennox Coy
1. Pte William Hudson died between 25 July and 24 Aug.
2. Pte Daniel Ken died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
Lt Col McAlister's Coy
1. Drm John Clark 27 July.
2. Pte Henry Onial died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
3. Pte Joseph Woods died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
4. Pte John Woodbridge died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
5. Pte William Davidson died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
6. Pte Daniel Keary died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Maj Stewart's Coy
1. Pte William Hudson died between 25 July and 24 Aug.
Capt Campbell's Coy
1. Pte Edward Humphries died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
2. Pte James Donnelly died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
3. Pte George Marshall died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
4. Pte William Richardson died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
5. Pte Thomas Frellon died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
Capt Riddell's Coy
1. Pte Thomas Monday died between 25 July and 24 Aug.
2. Pte John Wilson died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
Capt Stronge's Coy
1. Pte Richard Neal died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
2. Pte William Francis died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.

Capt Hardy's Coy
1. Pte Francis Liddell died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
2. Pte Richard Lloyd died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
3. Pte Richard Warr died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
4. Pte John Whitwher died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
5. Pte Henry Lickis died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
6. Pte George Midhap died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Herries's Coy
1. Pte William McCarthy died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
2. Pte William Arnold died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
3. Pte William Dandy died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
4. Pte John Mitchell died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
Capt Dormer's Coy
1. Pte James McFell died between 25 Aug and 24 Sep.
Capt Money's Coy
1. Pte William Bern died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
2. Cpl John Greenwood died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
3. Pte Charles Johnston died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.
4. Pte John Younge died between 25 Nov and 24 Dec.
Capt Caldwell's Coy
1. Pte Thomas Andrews died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
2. Pte William Hupton died between 25 Sep and 24 Oct.
3. Pte Simon Floyd died between 25 Oct and 24 Nov.

1801 2nd/35th (Dorsetshire) (Lennox's Regiment)

1 Jan 1801 Strength: 38 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 777 rank and file fit for duty, 102 rank and file sick, 988 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

1 May 1801 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 May 1801
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
35	13	71	790	72	968	998
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st May 1801. 2nd/35th (Lennox's)

Aug Returns show 1 surgeon and 2 assistant surgeons.

5 Sep Strength: 1 Lt Col, 0 Maj, 7 Capts, 13 Lts, 9 Ensigns, 1 Pay Master, 1 Adjt, 1 QM, 1 Surg, 2 As Surgs, 39 SSgts, 21 Drummers, 824 men with 73 sick in hospital, 3 Death. The battalion was at Vittoriosa.

1 Nov Strength: 36 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 742 rank and file fit for duty, 59 rank and file sick, 908 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

1802 2nd/35th (Dorsetshire)

1 Jan 1802 Regimental Strength:

Regimental Strength Malta 1 January 1802
Present (Offs & WOs)	Absent (Offs & WOs)	NCOs	Fit for Duty (R&F)	Sick (R&F)	Total (Offs and Men)	Establishment
36	12	71	756	66	929	998
Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st January 1802. 2nd/35th (Lennox's)

1 Mar Strength: 32 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 71 NCOs, 777 rank and file fit for duty, 66 rank and file sick, 962 total officers and men, 998 establishment.

1 May Strength: 32 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 768 rank and file fit for duty, 45 rank and file sick, 901 total officers and men, 842 establishment.

4 May Col Bayliss 2nd/35th Foot, Commandant of the Cottonera District, shot and mortally wounded Capt Newman 20th Foot, in a duel at Salvatore Gate. Newman was buried at the burial ground near the Zabbar Gate (Rock Gate Cemetery) on 14 May.

17 May Court Martial of Col Bayliss for the wilful murder of Capt Newman. Col Bayliss was returned to England and dismissed from the service.

21 July 244 men, 39 women and 24 children embarked on the Haarlem. They were withdrawn from Malta in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty of Amiens.

1 Aug Strength: 22 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 797 rank and file fit for duty, 18 rank and file sick, 893 total officers and men, 842 establishment.

1803 2nd/35th (Dorsetshire)

24 May 1803 Strength: 775 men. The 2nd/35th was reduced as part of the peace dividend which followed the Treaty of Amiens.

Aug 1803–June 1804 The first payment of prize money from the proceeds of the sale of captured property in Malta on 4 Sep 1800 was paid to the following officers and men 2nd/35th Foot: (the names of lieutenants and ensigns have not been included).

Lt Col John Baylis £845 11s 6d (17 Jan 1804).
Lt Col Archibald McAlister £845 11s 6d (20 Aug 1804).
Capt W A Campbell £90 7s 6d (27 Aug).
Capt C J Riddell £90 7s 6d (9 Jan 1804).
Capt J C Stronge £90 7s 6d (27 Aug).
Capt John Hardy £90 7s 6d (31 Aug).

Capt John Harris £90 7s 6d (5 Jan 1804).
Capt James Money £90 7s 6d (21 Sep).
Capt Clark Caldwell £90 7s 6d (30 Aug).
Capt William Craig £90 7s 6d (26 Aug).
Capt E P Dormer £90 7s 6d (30 Aug).
Capt Fletcher Wilkie £90 7s 6d (27 Aug).

Entitled sergeants received a first payment of £18 10s 6d, corporals, drummers and privates all received £3 0s 6d.

The 2nd/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1882 2nd/Royal Sussex

The 2nd/Royal Sussex Regiment embarked at Queenstown from Curragh on 24 July 1882. It arrived at Malta on 1 Aug 1882.

The 2nd/Royal Sussex had an average strength of 388 men. It had 530 admissions (1365.9/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 4 deaths (10.3 deaths/1000 mean strength). 6 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 25.67 (66.15/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 24.14 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 17.67 days.

The high rate of admission in the regiment was stated by the PMO, Surgeon-General J.E. Clutterbuck, to have been due to the arrival of the regiment in the hot weather and to their being mainly composed of young soldiers, who expose themselves more than older men.

Of 64 cases of dysentery in the garrison, 30 were in Cottonera, 25 in Valletta and 9 in Pembroke Camp. The medical officer in charge at Cottonera remarked that the disease occurred chiefly among the men of the 2nd/Sussex Regiment due to their arrival in the middle of the hot weather as well as to their over indulgence in unripe fruit.

1883 2nd/Royal Sussex

Sgt George Graham died 17 Aug 1884 aged 35 yrs. (Pieta' Military Cemetery)

The 2nd/Royal Sussex had an average strength of 885 men. It had 667 admissions (753.6/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 7 deaths (7.90 deaths/1000 mean strength).
17 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 44.87 (50.70/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 18.50 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 24.55 days.

During August, when cholera was raging in Egypt, 28 men of the 2nd/Royal Sussex Regiment from Floriana Barracks were admitted to hospital with vomiting and diarrhoea. The men were thought to be suffering from poisoning of an irritant character. They had purchased milk from a hawker in barracks which in the opinion of the PMO, Brigade Surgeon Sly William, was of a poisonous character as the goats which supplied the milk, had eaten some unwholesome garbage. All the men recovered from their illness.

1884 2nd/Royal Sussex

The 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment had an average strength of 908 men. It had 566 admissions (623.3/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 4 deaths (4.40 deaths/1000 mean strength). 23 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 38.23 (42.10/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 15.40 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 24.72 days.

Burials in Pieta Military Cemetery in 1884:

31 Mar 1884 Mrs Alice Sanders aged 25 years 3 months, wife of Armourer Sgt Moses Sanders.

1885 2nd/Royal Sussex

The 2nd/Royal Sussex Regiment had an average strength of 50 men. It had 36 admissions (972.4/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 2 deaths (20.68 deaths/1000 mean strength). 1 invalid returned to England.

20 Jan 1885 The 2nd/Royal Sussex left for Egypt leaving behind a detachment of 29 men. It disembarked in Egypt on 25 Jan 1885.

It left Egypt for Bombay on 18 Dec 1885.

The 2nd/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1904 2nd/Royal Sussex

John W King — John William son of Sgt F C King died 14 Sept 1905 aged 11 days.
(Mtarfa Military Cemetery)

27 June 1904 The 2nd/Royal Sussex left Shorncliffe on 18 June 1904 and embarked on the Dunera at Southampton. It disembarked in Malta on 27 June.

The regiment occupied the Polverista and other barracks in the Cottonera Lines. In Nov and Dec 1904, four companies at a time spent a month in camp at Pembroke and Mellieha.

In 1904, The 2nd/Royal Sussex had only eleven admissions for Mediterranean fever.

Baptisms in the Garrison Church in 1904:

26 Oct Arthur Vincent Messenger born on 12 October 1904, son of Ellen and Armourer SSgt Albert Edward Messenger Army Ordnance Corps attached to the Royal Sussex Regiment, resident at St Nicholas Married Quarters.

Burials in 1904:

26 Nov 1904 Pte William R Thomas aged 21 years 1 month, died at Cospicua and was buried in Rinella Military Cemetery.

1905 2nd/Royal Sussex

Men of detachment No 30 Coy RAMC with soldiers of the Royal Sussex Regiment in Candia Crete, 1906 (RAMC/1269/6/5).

Jan 1905 The whole battalion spent a fortnight in camp at Ghajn Tuffieha.

Burials at Rinella Military Cemetery in 1905:

4 Aug Pte J Dugnolle aged 20 years, of Verdala Barracks.
9 Aug Cpl Charles Powell aged 27 years, of Verdala Barracks.
1 Sep Pte George Mitchell aged 39 years 9 months, of Mtarfa Barracks.
16 Feb Pte William Frederick Spice, aged 19 years 9 months was buried at Pietà Military Cemetery.

22 Feb The Battalion marched to Mtarfa Barracks on 22 and 26 February 1905. There were seventeen admissions for Mediterranean fever in 1905.

29 May 1905 Five companies with Head Quarters Coy of the 2nd/Royal Sussex embarked for Crete on the Sardinia. It arrived in Crete on 31 May and embarked for Southampton, and onwards to Belfast on 11 March 1907.

1906 2nd/Royal Sussex

The 2nd/Royal Sussex appears in the 31 January to 30 November 1906 Returns for the Malta Garrison as Crete formed part of the Malta Mediterranean Command.

1907 2nd/Royal Sussex

The 2nd/Royal Sussex ceases to appear in the Malta Garrison returns from 31 May 1907.

The 2nd/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1921 2nd/Royal Sussex

Nov 1921 The 2nd/Royal Sussex arrived at Malta. It had 30 officers and 575 men.

1922 2nd/Royal Sussex

1 Jan 1922 Strength: 31 Officers and 567 rank and file.

Burials in 1922:

7 Mar Pte Ryall Erinst D Coy 2nd/Royal Sussex, aged 34 years, was buried at Mtarfa Military Cemetery.

1923 2nd/Royal Sussex

1 Jan 1923 Strength: 2 Officers and 23 rank and file.

1 Oct 25 Officers and 849 rank and file left Malta.

1924 2nd/Royal Sussex

Burials in 1924:

25 Jan Pte Hills F aged 29 years, was buried at Pietà Military Cemetery.

The 2nd/The Royal Sussex Regiment

1946 2nd/Royal Sussex

1946 The 2nd/Royal Sussex arrived from Persia.

1947 2nd/Royal Sussex

1948 2nd/Royal Sussex

15 Sep 1948 the 2nd Battalion amalgamated with the 1st Battalion Royal Sussex regiment at Malta.

The 4th/Royal Sussex Regiment

1915 – 1st/4th Royal Sussex

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1915:

15 Sep Pte Prevett E J aged 21 years.
28 Sep Cpl Day W aged 34 years.

Bibliography

Farmer J. S., 1984. The regimental records of the British Army Reprint Edition, Trowbridge, Wiltshire: Crecy Books.
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 156/122; List of gravestones at the Military and Civil Cemetery 1801–1865 and the Quarantine Bastion Cemetery 1819–1867 compiled by the Rev D B L Foster Assistant Chaplain General Western Mediterranean in May 1939.
TNA:WO 164/503, Malta 1800, Prize Records Royal Hospital Chelsea first and second payments (1804–1808).
TNA:WO 164/134, Malta 1800, Prize Records Royal Hospital Chelsea first and second payments (1811–1840).
TNA:WO 12/4953, General Muster Books and Pay lists 1st/35th Foot 1800.
TNA:WO 12/5016, General Muster Books and Pay lists 2nd/35th Foot 1799–1800.