Carole Divall

2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

Part of the fortifications at Gibraltar, from a map of 1750

There are clear signs that the second battalion may find themselves transferred from garrison duties to active service.  General Graham, in command of the Anglo-Portugueses forces in Cadiz, suggested to General Campbell, C-in-C in Gibraltar, that it would be strategically sound to create a diversion in nearby Tarrifa to draw the 1st Corps, under Marshal Victor, away from Cadiz.  Among the troops sent for this purpose was a detachment from the 2/30th.

As a result, 10 sergeants, 11 corporals, 3 drummers and 273 privates are on their way to Tarrifa.  The officers involved in the expedition are Captains Malet, Bamford, Lynch, Fox and Hitchen, Lieutenants Garland, Heaviside, Andrews and Eades, and Ensigns Garvey, Pennefather, Eagar, Freear, Rumley, Bailey and Crawford.

Major Hamilton and Lieutenant and Adjutant William Stewart have been granted leave by General Campbell.  Major Grey is now being returned absent without leave.

Two men have died during the last two weeks.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

A coin of the period

Assistant Surgeon Griffin is still on a charge relating to the illegal entry of a Magistrate’s house while drunk.

Captain Chambers has finally departed for Europe on the transport ship, Eden Castle, in charge of 16 invalids.  He has been granted a year’s leave, during which time he is expected to transfer to another regiment, having officially resigned from the 30th.

Officers of the 2nd battalion who officially belong to the 1st have been transferred to the strength of the 1st “without leave”.  They are expected to arrive in India in the near future.

One private (Thomas Bull) died on the 3rd April.  The battalion also lost two sergeants at the end of March: James Breslin, who died on the 29th March, and Edward Perkins, who was reduced on the same day.

Depot: Wakefield

British infantry of the period. Picture courtesy of Victrix Ltd. (miniature soldiers, see: http://www.victrixlimited.com)

Four men and a boy have joined at the depot from the recruiting parties, while a man and a boy have enlisted directly at the depot.

The Siege of Cadiz (Part 2)

Fortifications at Cadiz Continue Reading »

2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

The battalion continue to supply staff officers.  As well as Captains T.Williamson and J. Craig in Portugal and Captain N. Craig in Malta, captain McNabb is once again town major in Gibraltar, while Captain Machell is also on the staff.

The sickness rate among the NCOs and men continues at about 11 per company.  The average company size is 65, which means that, even when the sick men are included in the count, the battalion is roughly one third under strength.

Three rank and file have joined from England, but under the quarantine regulations are still on board the transports which brought them to Gibraltar .

Regular readers will be aware of the serial sins of three particular men, so the battalion was not sorry to see the departure, after some delay, of Bryan Farrell, John Simpson and William Woodhouse, who have been drafted into a foreign corps for life under sentence of a court martial following  trial on robbery charges.

Rumours that the battalion are soon to be sent to Spain remain unconfirmed.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

Major Maxwell, and Captains Chambers and Beaumont are still waiting for transport to Europe.

Assistant Surgeon Griffin remaains under an arrest, awaiting his court martial on a charge of drunkenness.

Depot: Wakefield

His Majesty’s 44th Regt. of Foot go forward at Newstead Abbey

The depot now have the additional duty of sending a description of each new recruit to the Adjutant General’s office.  This is an attempt to prevent the practice of recruits deserting soon after enlisting and then enlisting in a different corps for the bounty.  The practice is particularly prevalent in Ireland, as both battalions of the 30th Foot discovered when they were stationed there.

Lieutenant Clarke has been returned absent without leave, but is believed to be in Dublin.

One man is expected to join at the depot, in addition to the thirteen who joined two weeks ago.

The depot strength is 16 sergeants, 6 drummers and 47 rank and file, with another 43 NCOs and rank and file distributed around the recruiting parties.

There are now three parties operating in Ireland: at Enniscorthy, Galway and Tuam, recognition of how fertile Ireland is proving in the search for recruits.

Lieutenants Gowan, White and Kettlewell are at Wakefield with Brevet Major Spawforth, although the second battalion believe them to be in Ireland.  There is the chance that they will be sent to Gibraltar.

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