Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery--1347th North Lancashires1-21765th York and Lancasters12424103rd Mahratta L.I.---5105th Mahratta L.I.----121st Pioneers----
Considerable booty was found, and the sum of £38,958 was remitted to England by the prize agents for distribution amongst the men of the 47th (North Lancashire) and 65th (York and Lancaster) Regiments.[19]
This distinction is borne by the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.103rd Mahratta Light Infantry.104th Wellesley's Rifles.105th Mahratta Light Infantry.107th Pioneers.113th Infantry.121st Pioneers.
It was awarded to these regiments by the Governor of Bombay for their gallant services in destroying the strongholds of Arab pirates in the Persian Gulf. The 65th Regiment (York and Lancasters) was also employed in the same service, but it does not bear the honour.
The expedition was under the command of Major-General Lionel Smith, who, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, had carried through successfully a previous expedition in the year 1809.
On this occasion his force comprised the 65th (Yorkand Lancasters), the 1st Bombay European Battalion (now the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers), the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, and the flank companies of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd, 2nd Battalion of the 2nd, 1st Battalion of the 3rd, and 1st Battalion of the 4th Regiments of Bombay Native Infantry, with the Bombay Marine Battalion (121st Pioneers), together with 200 Bombay artillerymen. H.M.S.Topaze,Liverpool,Eden, andCurlewalso accompanied the force.
The Arabs were in a most defiant mood. They had inflicted a severe defeat on a native force which had been sent against them a short time previously. This force had been driven back, with a loss of nearly 400 sepoys killed, whilst five British officers were amongst the slain. Sir Lionel Smith's force landed without opposition under cover of the guns of the fleet, and on March 2 the stronghold of the Joassma tribe was carried, after a sharp fight. The Imaum of Muscat now endeavoured to induce the tribes to come to terms, but on the 10th they made a most determined attack on our camp. In this they were worsted, but our losses were considerable, the 1st Bombay Fusiliers and the 7th Regiment of Bombay Sepoys (now the 113th) suffering severely. The destruction of their forts and vessels by the fleet soon reduced the Arabs to reason, and they agreed to send hostages to Bombay for their future good behaviour. Our casualties during this expedition were as follows:
Casualties at Beni Boo Alli.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Navy3352065th York and Lancaster-24352nd Dublin Fus.131734113th Pioneers (British)12--113th Pioneers (Native )-221122
This distinction is borne by the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.121st Pioneers.124th Baluchistan Infantry.
It commemorates the expedition which transferred the sovereignty of the well-known coaling-station to the East India Company. So far back as the year 1799 an expedition from Bombay had occupied the Island of Perim, at the entrance of the Red Sea, and during the expedition to Egypt in the year 1801 we had a garrison on that inhospitable little islet. At the close of the war with France the garrison was withdrawn. With the advent of steam it became evident that the real route to India would be by the Red Sea, and the value of Aden as a coaling-station was borne on the minds of the Government of our great dependency. Commodore Haines, of the Indian Marine, an officer of exceptional attainments, was entrusted with the task of carrying on the necessary negotiations with the Arab ruler of Aden, and in the year 1835, in return for a cash subsidy and a promise of British protection, we became virtual rulers of the place. Disputes soon arose. The neighbouring chiefs disapproved of the action of the chief with whom we had negotiated, and in the year 1838 it became evident that it would be necessary for us to maintain a garrison there in order to assert our supremacy. No resistance was anticipated, and the force sent was small. It consisted of a wing of the 1st Bombay Fusiliers (now the Royal Dublin Fusiliers) and the 24th Bombay Native Infantry, the whole under Major T. M. Bailie, of the latter regiment. Two ships of the Royal Navy, theVolageandCruiser, and a squadron of the Indian Marine also participated in the affair. On these were embarked the present 121st Pioneers, then known as the Bombay Marine Battalion.
On the arrival of the expedition at Aden, the Arabs declined to allow the troops to land or to supply themwith either food or water. The works were then shelled, and under cover of this fire the troops disembarked and occupied the town, which had been abandoned, the Arabs having taken refuge in one of the forts, from which a white flag was displayed. After a little parleying, these men surrendered; but in the act of disarming them a regrettable incident occurred, in which we lost some sixteen men killed and wounded; otherwise, with the exception of one midshipman, who was hurt in the landing, Aden was acquired without bloodshed.
In the month of November following a half-hearted attempt was made to recapture the place. This was repulsed without loss, and in May, 1840, a second attempt was also repulsed. Since then our hold on Aden has been unchallenged, though on more than one occasion we have been compelled to undertake expeditions against the tribes in the hinterland, none of which, however, have been deemed of sufficient importance for special mention. Indeed, with so many hard-fought actions unrecorded, one is tempted to ask how comes it that the name "Aden" has been selected for a battle honour.
This distinction is borne by the
14th Hussars.North Staffords.Durham Light Infantry.Seaforth Highlanders.33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.34th Poona Horse.35th Scinda Horse.2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.3rd Sappers and Miners.104th Wellesley's Rifles.120th Rajputana Infantry.123rd Outram's Rifles.126th Baluchistan Infantry.129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis.
It recognizes the services of a force which was employed in Persia during the winter 1856-57, in a campaign for which no less than four battle honours were granted. The army was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, K.C.B., an officer of theBombay army, who was affectionately termed the Bayard of India. His force was organized as follows:
First Division: Major-General Stalker.First Brigade—Brigadier N. Wilson, K. H: 64th (North Staffords), 120th Rajputana Infantry.Second Brigade—Brigadier R. H. Honnor: 106th (Durham Light Infantry), and 104th Bombay Rifles.Second Division: Major-General H. Havelock, C.B.Third Brigade—Brigadier H. Hamilton: 78th (Ross-shire Buffs), 126th Baluchistan Infantry.Fourth Brigade—Brigadier J. Hale: 123rd Outram's Rifles and 129th Baluchis.Cavalry Brigade—Brigadier J. Jacob: 14th Hussars, 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry, 34th Poona Horse, and 35th Scinde Horse.
First Division: Major-General Stalker.
First Brigade—Brigadier N. Wilson, K. H: 64th (North Staffords), 120th Rajputana Infantry.
Second Brigade—Brigadier R. H. Honnor: 106th (Durham Light Infantry), and 104th Bombay Rifles.
Second Division: Major-General H. Havelock, C.B.
Third Brigade—Brigadier H. Hamilton: 78th (Ross-shire Buffs), 126th Baluchistan Infantry.
Fourth Brigade—Brigadier J. Hale: 123rd Outram's Rifles and 129th Baluchis.
Cavalry Brigade—Brigadier J. Jacob: 14th Hussars, 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry, 34th Poona Horse, and 35th Scinde Horse.
Thecasus bellimay be summed up in one word—Herat. That city had long been considered the key of India, and when, early in 1856, the Persians captured it from the Afghans, we insisted on its restoration. On this being refused, it was determined to compel acceptance of our demands. Sir James Outram, who had been nominated to the chief command, was on his way from England, and, in order to lose no time, the First Division of the expeditionary force, under General Stalker, accompanied by a powerful squadron of vessels belonging to the Indian Marine, left Bombay on November 9 for the Persian Gulf. On December 5 the fleet bombarded the fortifications of Bushire, and the following day the troops disembarked unopposed.
No casualties were incurred either at the bombardment of Bushire or at the landing of the troops. It was a very cheaply won battle honour.
The following regiments have been authorized to bear this battle honour for the bombardment of Bushire:
North Stafford.Durham Light Infantry.33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.34th P.A.V.O. Poona Horse.3rd Sappers and Miners.104th Wellesley's Rifles.120th Rajputana Infantry.129th P.W.O. Baluchis.
This battle honour is borne on the colours of the
North Staffords.Durham Light Infantry.34th Poona Horse.33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.3rd Sappers and Miners.104th Wellesley's Rifles.120th Rajputana Infantry.129th Baluchis.
On December 5 the first division of the Persian Expeditionary Force had disembarked in the near neighbourhood of the fortified city of Bushire. The Persians were holding an old redoubt which dated from the days of the Dutch occupation. Unfortunately, General Stalker made no attempt to shell the work, and when, in the early morning of December 7, the brigade carried it by assault, the 64th (North Staffords) and 104th Bombay Rifles were met by a well-sustained fire, which, however, died away as they neared the parapet. The Colonel of the 64th—Stopford—who was in command of the brigade, was shot dead as he led the men over the breastwork, and the 104th lost two officers mortally wounded. With this insignificant loss, the formidable work was carried, and on the following day the Governor of Bushire, thinking he had done enough for honour, surrendered the fortifications of the city to the General. The whole brigade now took up its position close to Bushire, to await the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief with the remainder of the army.
Casualties at the Action of Reshire, December 7, 1856.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery---364th N. Stafford--2533rd Q.O. Light Cavalry1--3104th Wellesley's Rifles---5120th Rajputana Infantry21-7106th Durham L.I.--2734th Poona H.----129th Baluchis--2-
This battle honour is borne on the colours and appointments of the
North Staffords.Durham Light Infantry.Seaforth Highlanders.33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.34th Poona Horse.3rd Sappers and Miners.104th Wellesley's Rifles.120th Rajputana Infantry.126th Baluchis.129th Baluchis.
It recognizes the services of these regiments at the action of Koosh-ab, during the Persian campaign under Sir James Outram. The Persian infantry, which had been trained by British officers, were well handled, and actually threw themselves into square when threatened by our cavalry. These squares were broken by the 3rd Bombay Cavalry (now the 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry), and two officers obtained the Victoria Cross for their conduct on this occasion. Sir James Outram, who had a keen eye for personal gallantry, recommended no less than ten members of the regiment for this much-prized decoration, including some of the native ranks. The casualties which I append below show that the Persians evinced little determination, or else their shooting did not reflect much credit on their training:
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery--1764th N. Stafford-2210106th Durham L.I.-12933rd Q.O. Light Cavalry-111434th Poona H.--38126th Baluchis--15
The other regiments present suffered no loss.
BATTLE HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN BURMAH, 1824-1887
Ava—Kemmendine—Arracan—Pegu—Burmah.[20]
This distinction is borne by the following regiments:
Royal Scots.South Staffords.Somerset Light Infantry.Essex.Welsh.North Lancashire.Sherwood Foresters.Royal Irish Fusiliers.Dorsets.Governor-General's Bodyguard.Royal Dublin Fusiliers.2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.26th Light Cavalry.61st Pioneers.63rd Light Infantry.67th Punjabis.69th Punjabis.72nd Punjabis.76th Punjabis.82nd Punjabis.86th Carnatic Infantry.88th Carnatic Infantry.90th Punjabis.92nd Punjabis.
It recognizes the services of these regiments in the long and harassing campaign in Lower Burmah, between the years 1824 and 1826.
Our relations with our Burmese neighbours had never been marked with cordiality. They had been in the habit of committing unprovoked raids across the Assam or Cachar borders, and had misconstrued our verbal remonstrances into a sign of weakness. So far back as the year 1784 they had annexed Arracan in the most unprovoked manner, and since that date on more than one occasion considerable bodies of Burmese troops had actually violated British territory in pursuit of what theywere pleased to call fugitives from justice. In the year 1823 they committed a series of aggressions in Sylhet and Cachar, and finally occupied an island in the vicinity of Chittagong, which was undoubtedly British. To our remonstrances they retaliated with a threat to invade Bengal and drive us back to our island home. War was reluctantly decided upon, and it was resolved to invade Burmah with four separate columns:
I. A column composed entirely of Bengal troops under the command of Brigadier Richards, was to operate from the north, and, after capturing the old capital of Assam, was to threaten the kingdom from that direction.
II. A second Bengal column under Brigadier Shuldham, was to penetrate by way of Sylhet.
III. A mixed column of Bengal and Madras troops, under Brigadier-General W. Morrison, was to advance from Chittagong into Arracan, with the support of a flotilla of the Indian Marine.
IV. The main attack was entrusted to a joint Bengal and Madras army, under Major-General Archibald Campbell, of the 38th (South Stafford Regiment), an officer who had done good service in the Peninsula. The troops composing the main army comprised a Bengal brigade, which consisted of the 13th (Somerset Light Infantry), 38th (South Stafford), and the 20th Bengal Infantry. The 1st Madras Brigade comprised the 41st (Welsh Regiment), the Madras European Regiment (now the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers), and five battalions of Madras sepoys, with two companies of artillery.
The 2nd Madras Brigade consisted of the 89th (Royal Irish Fusiliers), five battalions of Madras sepoys, and two companies of artillery.
The Bengal and Madras troops assembled in Cornwallis Bay, in the Andaman Islands; thence the main army proceeded to Rangoon, whilst Colonel McCreagh, of the 13th (Somersets), was detached to seize the island of Cheduba. Rangoon was occupied after very feeble resistance, but in the month of December the Burmese,finding we were not disposed to advance farther into their country, made desperate attempts to retake the city. They found, however, that we were as good behind stockades as they were, and from that date the war resolved itself into a number of desultory expeditions, in which stockade after stockade was carried at the point of the bayonet, often with heavy loss. There was little glory to be gained in such a war, nor was there scope for any display of military talent; but the gallantry of the officers and the ready valour of our men was never better exemplified.
The determined attack on Rangoon by the Burmese in the month of December, 1824, gave the 26th Madras, now the 86th Carnatic, Infantry an opportunity of putting an additional battle honour on their colours.
This battle honour is borne only by the 86th Carnatic Infantry, and was granted to that corps, then the 26th Madras Infantry, by the Governor of Madras, in recognition of the gallant defence of the Kemmendine stockade during the repeated attacks by the Burmese in the month of December, 1824. Kemmendine was the name given by the Burmese to one of the principal defences of Rangoon. We had captured it with some loss on the first occupation of the city. It was rightly looked upon as one of the most important works in the vicinity of Rangoon. In December, when the Burmese made their desperate attempts to retake Rangoon, the Kemmendine stockade was the object of their fiercest attacks. It was held by the 26th Madras Infantry, now the 86th Carnatics, a company of the Madras Europeans, and some gunners, the Honourable Company's cruiserSophiebeing moored off its river face. The conduct of the Madras sepoys was beyond all praise, and even Havelock, ever chary of encomiums, except to his beloved 13th, wrote in the most eulogistic manner of the 26th. "The sepoys of the 26th acquired a lasting reputation for their firmnessat Kemmendine," wrote that distinguished General in his "History of the War in Ava." "Major Yates, who commanded them, sent for, and received, frequent supplies of ammunition, but never talked or dreamt of reinforcements, surrender, or retreat. Hungry and watching, pent in, outnumbered, and wearied by night and day, they repelled their assailants with slaughter." Another contemporary writer says: "Worn out with fatigue, they successfully repulsed the successive attacks of the enemy, contenting themselves with dry rice, not even laying aside their arms for cooking food." The safety of the stockade was entirely due to the ceaseless watchfulness of the little garrison. The Burmese had no stomach for an assault on a foe who was ready for them, and so it was that the garrison of Kemmendine escaped with few casualties.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Dublin Fusiliers-141386th Carnatic Infantry (British)-2--86th Carnatic Infantry (Natives)-2621
The battle honour was only conferred on the 26th Madras Native Infantry, which also was allowed to assume the honour "Ava." The 1st Madras European Regiment, a detachment of which was so closely associated with them in the defence, has been obliged to content itself with the one distinction "Ava."
On December 7 the Commander-in-Chief determined to teach the Burmese a fresh lesson, and, attacking the besieging force (for Rangoon at this time was virtually besieged) in four columns, he inflicted on them a most crushing defeat, capturing over 200 pieces of ordnance.
In the course of the next few months our troops suffered terribly from climate and the criminal neglect of the most elementary precautions as regards shelter andfood. The British soldier fought in coatee, shako, and leather stock. Hundreds perished from sunstroke, more from scurvy and cholera. The 13th (Somersets), 38th (South Staffords), 41st (Welsh), 45th (Sherwood Foresters), 49th (Royal Berkshires), and 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) buried 3,586 men in eight months; whilst the two regiments sent to Arracan, the 44th (Essex) and 54th (Dorsets), lost 595 out of a strength of 1,004.
Not only were our troops suffering from the climate, but the resistance of the enemy was found to be far more formidable than was anticipated. It was found necessary to call for more reinforcements, and early in 1825 the Royal Scots, the 44th (Essex), the 45th Sherwood Foresters, and the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) joined Sir Archibald's army. The want of cavalry had been apparent, so the Governor-General's Bodyguard and a regiment of Madras cavalry were also despatched to Rangoon. In the course of the cold weather expeditionary columns had been sent to Tenasserim and Martaban, both of which provinces had been occupied with but little loss. A force despatched to Kykloo, however, met with a serious repulse, and the Commander-in-Chief felt that it would be necessary to carry the war still farther into Burmese territory. In February the main army advanced towards Prome, Brigadier Sale, of the 13th (Somersets), being detached to Bassein, which he occupied after a sharp fight. Sir Archibald Campbell met with a check at Donabew in the month of March, but towards the end of April Prome was occupied, and the summer was passed by the army with that city as its headquarters. Advances on our part, with a view to opening negotiations, were construed by the Burmese into an acknowledgment of our weakness, and as soon as the season permitted, fresh hostilities commenced. It was not until the month of February, 1826, that we were enabled to meet the enemy in the open. So little did they dread our attacks, and so little had they taken to heart the numerous defeats we had inflicted on them, that they actually withstood our attack in the openat Pagahm, not far from Prome. This was the lesson they needed. Hitherto the want of cavalry and the density of jungle had prevented our following up our successes, but at Pagahm the Governor-General's Bodyguard was able to reach the flying Burmese, cutting up a large number. The result of this was a renewal of peace negotiations; this time the advance was on their part.
The result of the war was a considerable extension of our territory to the east of Bengal. Tenasserim, Martaban, and Rangoon, all fell into our hands, and the King of Burmah renounced all sovereignty over Arracan and Assam.
This distinction was conferred by the Governor-General in Council on the Bengal native regiments which took part in the invasion of the ancient kingdom of Arracan during the operations in Burmah in the year 1825. The British and Madras regiments employed bear the same honour as that bestowed on the regiments which accompanied the main army under Sir Archibald Campbell. The only regiments now left with the distinction "Arracan" are the 2nd Gardner's Horse and the 5th Light Infantry.
The force destined for the invasion of Arracan was placed under the command of Brigadier-General W. Morrison, of the 54th (Dorsets), and acted in co-operation with a strong flotilla of the Indian Marine. It was composed of three brigades—two of Bengal, the third of Madras troops:
First Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel W. Richards: 26th Bengal Infantry, 44th (Essex Regiment), 49th and 62nd Bengal Infantry.Second Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, C.B. (54th Foot): 54th (Dorsets), 42nd (now the 5th Light Infantry), and 61st Bengal Infantry.Third Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel Fair (10th Madras Infantry): 10th and 16th Madras Infantry (the latter now the 76th Punjabis).
First Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel W. Richards: 26th Bengal Infantry, 44th (Essex Regiment), 49th and 62nd Bengal Infantry.
Second Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, C.B. (54th Foot): 54th (Dorsets), 42nd (now the 5th Light Infantry), and 61st Bengal Infantry.
Third Brigade—Lieutenant-Colonel Fair (10th Madras Infantry): 10th and 16th Madras Infantry (the latter now the 76th Punjabis).
A couple of companies of Bengal and one of Madras Artillery, as well as two squadrons of Gardner's Horse, accompanied the force.
Casualties of the Arracan Field Force.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.44th Essex---1154th Dorsets-23252nd Gardner's Horse---85th Light Infantry-111876th Punjabis131030
Casualties in Action during the Operations in Burmah, 1824.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Scots-125Somerset L.I.51821138South Staffords262513041st Welsh22129844th Essex1531445th Sherwood Foresters----47th N. Lancs15108054th Dorsets-332787th Roy. Irish Fusiliers----89th Roy. Irish Fusiliers38211471st Roy. Dublin Fusiliers1322120Governor-General's Bodygd.-13326th Light Cav.----61st Pioneers-362463rd Light Infantry13105867th Punjabis----69th Punjabis-251672nd Punjabis-111176th Punjabis13103082nd Punjabis----86th Carnatic I.-245788th Carnatic I.-322290th Punjabis-111292nd Punjabis----
The force suffered much from sickness, owing to the unhealthy nature of the country traversed, and experienced many hardships. The resistance was not very serious, but on one or two occasions the Burmese foughtwell. The total casualties amounted to about 130 killed and wounded, the Dorsets and 76th Punjabis being the principal sufferers.
The casualties in action barely reached 3 per cent., those by disease exceeded 56 per cent., of the troops present!
This distinction was granted to the following regiments, in recognition of their services during the campaign in Burmah in the years 1852-53:
Royal Irish.South Staffords.King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.Royal Munster Fusiliers.Royal Dublin Fusiliers.2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.54th Sikhs.61st Pioneers.69th Punjabis.79th Carnatic Infantry.86th Carnatic Infantry.
The continual infractions of the Treaty of 1826 by the King of Burmah, his arbitrary seizure of the persons and property of British merchants, and his insolent reply to communications addressed to him by the Governor-General of India, rendered it necessary for us to take steps to uphold the dignity of our flag. Early in 1852 a force, furnished by the armies of Madras and Bengal, was placed under the command of General Godwin, an officer who had served in the war of 1834, and who prior to that had taken part in almost every engagement of note in the Peninsular War, under Wellington. At the outset of the operations it was thought that a brigade from each presidency would prove sufficient, but before the end of 1852 the army under General Godwin's command was organized into no less than five brigades, as under:
Madras Brigade—Brigadier-General W. H. Elliott: 51st King's Own Light Infantry, 1st, 9th, and 35th Regiments of Madras Infantry (now the 61st Pioneers, 69th and 72nd Punjabis).First Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General T. S. Reignolds: 18th (Royal Irish), the 40th and 67th Regiments of Bengal Infantry.Second Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General T. Dickenson: 80th (North Staffords), 10th Bengal Infantry, and the 54th Sikhs.Third Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General H. Huishe: 1st Battalion Munster Fusiliers, and the 37th Bengal Infantry.
Madras Brigade—Brigadier-General W. H. Elliott: 51st King's Own Light Infantry, 1st, 9th, and 35th Regiments of Madras Infantry (now the 61st Pioneers, 69th and 72nd Punjabis).
First Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General T. S. Reignolds: 18th (Royal Irish), the 40th and 67th Regiments of Bengal Infantry.
Second Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General T. Dickenson: 80th (North Staffords), 10th Bengal Infantry, and the 54th Sikhs.
Third Bengal Brigade—Brigadier-General H. Huishe: 1st Battalion Munster Fusiliers, and the 37th Bengal Infantry.
Of these five Bengal regiments, the 54th Sikhs alone remains to bear the honour.
The campaign calls for little remark. The General, whilst waiting for the Madras Brigade, seized Martaban, and on April 19 Rangoon was captured, with a loss to us of 149 officers and men killed and wounded, our trophies amounting to no less than ninety-two guns, mostly of large calibre. In the month of August the 1st Madras Fusiliers (now the 1st Battalion of the Dublin Fusiliers) arrived from Madras, and in October Pegu was captured. The war now resolved itself into a succession of attacks on dacoits, or petty chieftains, and is noticeable for the fact that in one of these, when matters were looking very serious for us, a young officer—Ensign Garnet Wolseley, of the 80th—showed himself possessed of determined gallantry and ready resource. He was badly wounded on this occasion, but it is not every Ensign that is fortunate enough to be mentioned in despatches in his first action.
The result of the campaign was a considerable addition to our Indian Empire—or, rather, to the dominions then administered by the East India Company—and the annexation of the maritime provinces of the Burmese kingdom. The casualties show the serious nature of the fighting which took place:
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.Royal Artillery43--18th Royal Irish25127151st K.O. Yorkshire L.I.2453180th North Staffords544401st Bengal Fus. (Munsters)213111st Madras Fus. (Dublins)-22272nd Q.O. Sappers and Min.-331354th Sikhs1362061st Pioneers-141769th Punjabis-231879th Carnatic I.----86th Carnatic I.----
This distinction was awarded to the regiments named below, who shared in the long and arduous operations in Burmah which led to the annexation of that province in the years 1885-1887:
The Queen's (R.W. Surrey).King's Liverpool.Somerset Light Infantry.Royal Scots Fusiliers.Royal Welsh Fusiliers.South Wales Borderers.Hampshire.King's Own Yorkshire L.I.Royal Munster Fusiliers.Rifle Brigade.7th Hurriana Lancers.26th P.W.O. Light Cavalry.27th Light Cavalry.31st Lancers.2nd Q.O. Rajput Light Infantry.1st P.W.O. Sappers and Miners.2nd Q.O. Sappers and Miners.3rd Sappers and Miners.4th Rajputs.1st Brahmins.5th Light Infantry.10th Jats.11th Jats.12th Pioneers.16th Rajputs.18th Infantry.26th Punjabis.27th Punjabis.33rd Punjabis.61st Pioneers.63rd Light Infantry.72nd Punjabis.73rd Carnatic Infantry.74th Punjabis.75th Carnatic Infantry.76th Punjabis.81st Pioneers.83rd Light Infantry.86th Carnatic Infantry.87th Punjabis.90th Punjabis.95th Russell's Infantry.96th Berar Infantry.101st Grenadiers.105th Mahratta Light Infantry.107th Pioneers.123rd Outram's Rifles.125th Napier's Rifles.127th Baluch Light Infantry.3rd Gurkhas.8th Gurkhas.
The absurd pretensions of the Court of Burmah had led to a cessation of all diplomatic intercourse between the British and Burmese Governments since the year 1879. In 1884 King Thebaw gave cause for further remonstrances by the high-handed treatment accorded to an English company trading in his kingdom, and on October 22, 1885, a contemptuous reply to an ultimatum led to a war which placed the battle honour "Burmah, 1885-1887" on the colours of so many of our regiments. Our Intelligence Department was by no means well informed as to the nature of the interior of the kingdom, beyond the main facts that roads were non-existent, andthat it consisted for the most part of thick jungle. In the operations of 1824-1826, and again during the campaign of 1882, no efforts had been made to reach the capital, but it was now determined that no durable peace was possible until the King himself had felt the power of our arms. Fortunately, the officials of the Bombay-Burmah Trading Company possessed a number of steamers, the officers of which were excellent pilots, knowing the upper reaches of the river well, and their knowledge enabled the naval authorities to carry the operations to a rapid and successful conclusion. The officer selected to command the expeditionary force was Sir Harry Prendergast, of the Madras Engineers. He had well won a Victoria Cross for an act of exceptional gallantry in the Mutiny, and he had the reputation, besides personal gallantry, of possessing high powers of organization. The force at his command numbered upwards of 9,000 men, with 67 guns, and it was accompanied by a flotilla of no less than 55 river steamers, with a naval brigade of 600 men and 26 guns. The land force was divided into three brigades, each composed of one British and two native regiments, commanded by Brigadiers Foord, F. B. Norman, and G. S. White respectively. There were, as divisional troops, a battalion of native pioneers and six batteries of artillery. On November 14, 1885, no answer having been received to the ultimatum of the Viceroy, the force advanced; on the following day the forts at Minhla, on the Irawadi River, were carried by General Norman's brigade, and on the following day we silenced the various forts between our frontier and the capital. On the 26th, as we neared the capital, envoys arrived announcing the unconditional surrender of King Thebaw, and on the 28th we entered Mandalay, and the official war was over, our losses having been comparatively very trifling. Unfortunately, although a certain number of the Burmese troops laid down their arms at Mandalay, a very large number escaped into the jungle, to commence a harassing campaignof dacoitry. A force of three brigades and 9,000 men had been considered sufficient for the subjugation of the country; now five brigades and 30,000 men were mobilized to restore order.
On January 1 the Viceroy published a proclamation, by the terms of which the sovereignty of Burmah passed into our hands: "By command of the Queen-Empress, it is hereby notified that the territories formerly governed by King Thebaw will no longer be under his rule, but have become part of Her Majesty's dominions, and will, during Her Majesty's pleasure, be administered by such officers as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India may from time to time appoint." With this simple announcement 88,000 square miles of territory passed into our possession.
Casualties at Mandalay.
Regiments.Officers.Men.K.W.K.W.King's Liverpool Regt.---4Hampshires----11th Rajputs1-31583rd W.L.I.1-13Roy. Welsh Fus.-12142nd Q.O.L.I.1-61572nd Punjabis-516
BATTLE HONOURS FOR THE FIRST AFGHAN WAR, 1839-1842
Afghanistan, 1839-1842—Ghuznee, 1839—Khelat, 1839—Kahun, 1840—Jelalabad—Khelat-i-Ghilzai—Candahar, 1842—Ghuznee, 1842—Cabool, 1842—Cutchee.
This distinction is borne by the
4th Hussars.Somerset Light Infantry.The Queen's.Royal Munster Fusiliers.Leicesters.31st D.C.O. Lancers.3rd Skinner's Horse.3rd Sappers and Miners.34th Poona Horse.2nd Q.O. Light Infantry.5th Light Infantry.6th Light Infantry.16th Lancers.119th Multan Regiment.
It commemorates their share in the ill-judged campaign which had for its object the forcible imposition of an unpopular Sovereign on an unwilling people. Many of the oldest and most experienced of our Indian statesmen foretold disaster from the outset. The Duke of Wellington expressed himself in no measured terms on the folly of endeavouring to overthrow thede factoruler of Afghanistan, and to put on his throne a monarch who did not own an acre of land nor a rupee which he did not owe to our bounty. Unsuccessful negotiations were entered into with Runjeet Singh, the ruler of the Punjab, with a view to permitting our army to march through the Punjab. This favour was refused, and the Bengal troops, which mobilized at Ferozepore, were compelled to march down the left bank of the Sutlej, through Bhawulpore, and then, crossing the Indus by a bridge of boats thrownacross that river at Bukkur, to traverse the desert of Scinde, and, ascending the Bolan Pass, to enter Afghanistan by way of Kandahar. The chief command it was intended should have been held by Sir Harry Fane, the Commander-in-Chief in India, but at the last moment—indeed, after the army had assembled at Ferozepore—its composition was considerably reduced, and Sir John Keane, the Commander-in-Chief in Bombay, assumed the command. The troops destined for the expedition consisted of some 27,000 men, including the reserve divisions at Ferozepore and in Scinde, and were brigaded as under: