Carole Divall

Second Battalion, Gibraltar

A Gibraltar barbary macaque

One man died in the regimental hospital but the number of sick remains relatively low in what is the healthiest part of the year, before the heat of summer leads to an increase in the fevers which are endemic in this part of Spain.

Captain Bamford, having been returned absent without leave in the return of the 25^th January, has now rejoined the battalion.  Also rejoined after a period serving as brigade major is Captain Machell, commander of the grenadier company.  Lieutenant Masters is reported to be on his way to join.

The battalion is still short of company officers, however, so the news that a certain Ensign Thompson, who was about to join, has decided not to take up the appointment comes as a disappointment.

First Battalion, Trichinopoly

A fine example of Mogul art

Captain Murray is on the march to Travanore with Lieutenants Tongue, Fettes, Selwyn, Nicholson, French and Hutchinson, Assistant Surgeon Griffin and a detachment of men.

Assistant Surgeon Piper is on the march to join Colonel Lockhart in Poonamallee.

Captain Chambers is still in Madras.  He will not be sailing to Europe until a detachment of invalids has been formed for him to escort.  Also returning to Europe, for recovery of health, is Captain Beaumont.

Lieutenant Gray, who has been on leave of absence for some months, is due to return on the 28^th.

Depot, Wakefield

Drill with the 33rd Foot

Recruits are arriving at the depot from the recruiting company.  Four have just joined, two for unlimited and two for limited (seven years) service.  The disadvantage of limited service is the lack of a pension at the end of it, but the system is encouraged because it saves the government money.

Nine volunteers have joined from the Carlow and Tipperary militias.  These are valuable acquisitions because they are already trained and ready for active service.

There have been two losses.  One man deserted from headquarters, and another was discharged as unfit for service.

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My apologies for a rather “thin” diary this month, but in all honesty there was not a great deal going on in either Battalion, nor the Depot, at this time in 2010.

2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

Picture by Dave

After the excitement of two courts martial within a few weeks of each other, life has once again settled down to the normality of garrison duty.  There has also been a pleasing improvement in the health of the battalion.

Ensign Crawford joined the battalion at the end of January.

Captain Alexander McNabb is considering an exchange  (since there is little movement at his rank within the regiment), and has received a letter from the agent, Mr Croasdaile concerning this matter.

One recruit has joined from England.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

Captain Chambers has now received the commander-in-chief’s permission to proceed to Europe, where it is expected that he will arrange a transfer to another regiment.  As a man of means*  he should not find this difficult.  Meanwhile, Lieutenant Nicholson has returned to his duties with the battalion.

Lieutenant Lewin has returned to the Presidency for recovery of health.

[For more on Chambers see my article about him, published previously on my "Articles" pages.]

Depot: Wakefield

Men of the 33rd at drill.

Eighteen recruits have joined the depot, while another six are with the recruiting parties, one in Glasgow, two in Sleaford, and three in Dublin.

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