The Maltese Militia or Malta Militia was a

militia A militia ( ) is a military or paramilitary force that comprises civilian members, as opposed to a professional standing army of regular, full-time military personnel. Militias may be raised in times of need to support regular troops or se ...

unit in the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

which existed from 1801 to 1802, and again from 1852 to 1857. The first incarnation was a volunteer unit of 900 men raised in the British protectorate of Malta. The second establishment of the militia was as a compulsory service for the entire Maltese male population while the island was a

British crown colony A Crown colony or royal colony was a colony governed by England, and then Great Britain or the United Kingdom within the English and later British Empire. There was usually a governor to represent the Crown, appointed by the British monarch on ...

1801–1802

After the

French blockade French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), a ...

ended and the British took over Malta in September 1800, many of the British regiments stationed on the island left to fight in the Egyptian Campaign. This led to a shortage of troops on the islands, and since the High Command was unable to send reinforcements. The Commander-in-Chief of British forces in Malta, General Henry Pigot, was allowed to raise a local militia force to supplement the Maltese Light Infantry. Pigot wanted to build up the former

National Congress Battalions The National Congress Battalions (, ), also known as the , was an irregular military set up in Malta just after the Maltese rebellion against French rule in September 1798. It existed for two years before being disbanded on 11 September 1800. T ...

, an irregular military which had been partially trained by the British, into a militia based on that already in existence in Britain. He issued a proclamation on 1 January 1801 calling on the men who had fought in the insurgent battalions to join the new militia of 900 men. The proclamation was read out in the villages nine days after it was issued, and the militia was at full strength soon afterwards. Maltese nobles were given officers' ranks in the militia. The militia consisted of three divisions split into three companies each: *First Division (Central) **

Valletta Valletta ( ; , ) is the capital city of Malta and one of its 68 Local councils of Malta, council areas. Located between the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west, its population as of 2021 was 5,157. As Malta’s capital ...

Company ** Burmola Company **

Senglea Senglea ( ), also known by its title Città Invicta (or Civitas Invicta), is a fortified city in the Port Region of Malta. It is one of the Three Cities in the Grand Harbour area, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa, and has a popu ...

Company *Second Division (East) ** Zeitun and Gudia Company ** Zabbar and

Tarxien Tarxien ( ) is a town in the Port region of Malta, seat of the Port Regional Council. Its population stood at 8,583 in March 2014. The town is most notable for the Tarxien Temples, a megalithic temple complex which is among the oldest freestan ...

Company ** Zurrico and Siggieui Company *Third Division (West) ** Notabile and Naxaro Company ** Birchircara Company ** Zebbug and Casal Lia Company The First Division was commanded by Count de Gatto, the Second Division by Simeone Spiteri Gana and the Third Division by Marquis Parisi. Simultaneously, two companies of coastal artillerymen were set up to form the Maltese Militia Coast Artillery. The men were armed with muskets and bayonets, and their uniforms consisted of a cotton jacket and trousers, and a leather

shako A shako (, , or ) is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a visor, and sometimes tapered at the top. It is usually adorned with an ornamental plate or Cap badge, badge on the front, metallic or otherwise; and often has a feather, hackle ...

with a red sash. The arms, ammunition and uniforms were kept at each company's headquarters. Militiamen were given several privileges, including being exempt from the taxes on carts and straw. This was done to improve support for the new British administration among the local population, so as to prevent a rebellion. The militia was disbanded in 1802 in accordance with the

Treaty of Amiens The Treaty of Amiens (, ) temporarily ended hostilities between France, the Spanish Empire, and the United Kingdom at the end of the War of the Second Coalition. It marked the end of the French Revolutionary Wars; after a short peace it set t ...

, and its role was taken over by the Maltese Provincial Battalions. The establishment of a country militia was approved in 1806 but it did not materialize.

1852–1857

On 5 May 1852, Governor Sir William Reid reestablished the Maltese Militia. All Maltese men aged from 16 to 60 formed part of the Militia, and were obliged to attend at least 18 drills a year in their own districts, up to a total of 90 drills after which 3 drills a year were enough. Target practice took place on weekdays, while infantry and gun drills took place on Sundays. The men did not receive any pay or allowances for being part of the militia, and its establishment was met with strong opposition and resentment among the Maltese. The militia was organized into six companies: two companies of 200 men each at

for the defence of the

Grand Harbour The Grand Harbour (; ), also known as the Port of Marsa, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks ( Malta Dockyard), wharves, and fortifications. Description The h ...

and Marsamuscetto Harbour, and a company of 100 men each for

Floriana Floriana ( or ''Il-Floriana''), also known by its title Borgo Vilhena, is a Floriana Lines, fortified town in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region area of Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. It has a population of 2,205 as of March 2014 ...

Vittoriosa Birgu ( , ), also known by its title Città Vittoriosa ('Victorious City'), is an old Fortifications of Birgu, fortified city on the south side of the Grand Harbour in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. The city occupies a promontory ...

and

Cospicua Cospicua (Italian language, Italian) or Bormla (Maltese language, Maltese, ), occasionally also known by the Latin language, Latin name Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. It served as th ...

. A company at Rabat, Gozo was later also established, while planned companies in the villages never materialized. Officers, including a captain commandant, surgeons, captains and subalterns were appointed directly by the Governor. Men from the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment instructed the militiamen. The compulsory nature of the militia was abandoned in October 1854, and the unit was disbanded in 1857 since attendance at the drills was not satisfactory.

References

{{reflist Militia of the United Kingdom Infantry divisions of the United Kingdom Military history of Malta Military units and formations established in 1801 Military units and formations disestablished in 1802 Military units and formations established in 1852 Military units and formations disestablished in 1857 1801 establishments in Malta 1802 disestablishments in Malta 1852 establishments in Malta 1857 disestablishments in Malta

1801–1802

1852–1857

See Also

References