The Edward Dillon's Regiment
Dillon's Regiment was raised in Northern Italy in 1795 from the former French Irish Brigade. It had recruits from Ireland, Italy and French Emigrés. It was placed on the British establishment in 1805, and was disbanded in 1814.
Dillon's Regiment was commanded in Malta by Lt Col Baron Henry Perponcher. It had the following Companies:
- 1st Coy – commanded by Capt Francis Galaup (39 rank and File).
- 2nd Coy – commanded by Capt Alexander Besson (in England) Lt Marc Laury in Malta (38 rank and File).
- 3rd Coy – commanded by Capt Frederick D'Heral (47 rank and File).
- 4th Coy – commanded by Capt Lewis Fabre (37 rank and File).
- 5th Coy – commanded by Capt John Boutand (36 rank and File).
- 6th Coy – commanded by Lt Charles Boylesve (41 rank and File).
- 7th Coy – commanded by Lt Stephen Savignac (39 rank and File).
- 8th Coy – commanded by Lt Henry D'Avrille (39 rank and File).
- 9th Coy – commanded by Lt Cesar Raimondy (37 rank and File).
- 10th Coy – commanded by Lt Claudius Bouvier (39 rank and File).
Edward Dillon's Regiment
1803 Edward Dillon's
23 Sep 1803 Downing Street to Villettes: To enable you to augment the force which it may be necessary to hold at the disposal of Lord Nelson for Sicily, the Regiment of Chasseurs Britanniques consisting of about 440 men will be sent to Malta and the Officers and NCO of the regiment of Dillon which has been disbanded at Gibraltar are also to come to Malta in order to receive a part of the recruits that may be expected to arrive from Italy
.
1804 Edward Dillon's
1 Sep 1804 Regimental Strength:
| Present (Offs & WOs) |
Absent (Offs & WOs) |
NCOs | Fit for Duty (R&F) |
Sick (R&F) |
Total (Offs and Men) |
Establishment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 11 | 6 | 26 | 0 | 65 | 65 |
| Returns of His Majesty's Forces Malta: 1st September 1804. (Dillon's) | ||||||
1805 Edward Dillon's
Mar 1805 437 men of Dillon's Regiment composed mainly of Italians and Spaniards arrival at Malta. The regiment had 1 surgeon and 1 assistant surgeon. It was quartered at Fort Chambray, Gozo.
1 July Strength: 23 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 23 NCOs, 387 rank and file fit for duty, 23 rank and file sick, 456 total officers and men, 467 establishment.
1 Aug Strength: 22 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 17 NCOs, 218 rank and file fit for duty, 23 rank and file sick, 280 total officers and men, 288 establishment.
Burials between 25 Dec 1804 to 25 Dec 1805:
- 25 Apr Pte Giacomo Capello 8th Coy.
- 26 Apr Pte Antony Gossel 4th Coy.
- 13 May Pte Rocco di dio 9th Coy.
- 28 June Pte Francesco Salerno 7th Coy.
- 1 July Pte Nicolas Maniscalco 9th Coy.
- 4 July Pte Puente Annuel 9th Coy.
- 7 Aug Sgt William Shultz 6th Coy.
- 8 Aug Pte Thomas Garcia 10th Coy.
- 8 Aug Drm Mariano Canovas 3rd Coy.
- 25 Aug Pte John (Giacomo) Abozo 6th Coy.
- 5 Sep Cpl Salvator Rabito 8th Coy.
- 8 Sep Sgt Etienne Molinary 3rd Coy.
- 26 Sep Pte Stamo Musaky 6th Coy.
1 July Strength: 23 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 23 NCOs, 387 rank and file fit for duty, 23 rank and file sick, 467 total officers and men, 467 establishment.
1 Aug Strength: 22 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 17 NCOs, 218 rank and file fit for duty, 23 rank and file sick, 288 total officers and men, 288 establishment.
10 Oct 1805 The burial records of the cathedral of the Assumption, Rabat, Gozo records the death in Dillon's regimental hospital, of the Noble Vincent D'Avrille, aged 45 years, of Caltagirone Sicily. He was buried in the convent of the Franciscan Minors in Gozo (personal communication Bonnici/Mifsud A).
1 Nov 1805 Strength: 467 officers and men, with 387 rank and file fit for duty and 23 sick in hospital.
1806 Edward Dillon's
1 July 1806 Strength: 35 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 66 NCOs, 410 rank and file fit for duty, 25 rank and file sick, 526 total officers and men, 535 establishment.
1807 Edward Dillon's
1 July 1807 Strength: 33 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 611 rank and file fit for duty, 51 rank and file sick, 757 total officers and men, 695 establishment.
1 Nov Strength: 34 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 625 rank and file fit for duty, 51 rank and file sick, 771 total officers and men, 695 establishment.
1808 Edward Dillon's
1 Feb 1808 Strength: 34 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 625 rank and file fit for duty, 51 rank and file sick, 771 total officers and men, 695 establishment.
1 Aug Strength: 33 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 56 NCOs, 663 rank and file fit for duty, 56 rank and file sick, 814 total officers and men, 693 establishment.
1 Sep Strength: 35 Commissioned and Warrant Officers, 65 NCOs, 654 rank and file fit for duty, 66 rank and file sick, 824 total officers and men, 695 establishment.
Sep Dillon's Regiment embarked at Malta.
Bibliography
- TNA:CO 158/15, War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office Malta, Secretary of State Despatches Military 1803–08.
- TNA:WO 12/11703, General Muster Books and Pay Lists 1803–1805.