Maltese Pioneers
| Maltese Pioneers | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1800–1801 |
| Country |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role | Pioneers |
| Size | 500 men |
| Engagements | French Revolutionary Wars |
| Commanders | |
| Lieutenant | Francesco Rivarola |
Military unit
The Maltese Pioneers was a pioneer corps that served from 1800 to 1801 within the British Army.
In December 1800, Sir Ralph Abercromby instructed Lieutenant Francesco Rivarola to raise and command a force of 500 Maltese volunteers as pioneers for the expeditionary force in the Egyptian Campaign.[1] The troops were assigned to the Ordnance Department, and their work included cutting wood and loading fuel on transports.[2] Officers could also hire the pioneers as servants. The Pioneers saw combat in March and April 1801.[3] Apart from the pioneers, a third corps of artificers was also set up and joined the Egyptian Campaign.[4]
After their terms of engagement expired, the Maltese Pioneers left Egypt and returned to Malta in late 1801, after a year of service.[4]
The Pioneers shared in the proceeds of the French property captured in Egypt in 1801.[5]
References
- ^ Micallef Eynaud, Maurice (27 September 2005). "Rivarola's salver". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016.
- ^ Young, John (1802). "XI". A History of the Commencement, Progress, and Termination of the Late War Between Great Britain and France. pp. 407–408.
- ^ "The Maltese Pioneers 1800 – 1801". maltaramc.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017.
- ^ a b Baldacchino, James (May 2014). Garrisoning the military 'fief': The Maltese Corps and the Troops (1800 – 1860s) (PDF). pp. 8–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2017.
- ^ "No. 15836". The London Gazette. 20 August 1805. p. 1069.
