The Maltese Cannoneers was an

artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

company within the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

which existed from 1794 to 1802. It was the first

Maltese Maltese may refer to: * Someone or something of, from, or related to Malta * Maltese alphabet * Maltese cuisine * Maltese culture * Maltese language, the Semitic language spoken by Maltese people * Maltese people, people from Malta or of Malte ...

military unit in British service.

History

The unit was raised covertly while Malta was still ruled by the Order of St. John. It was recruited by the Chevalier De Sade on the orders of the Viceroy of

Corsica Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...

, Sir Gilbert Elliot. De Sade arrived in Malta in December 1794, with the aim of acquiring ordnance requirements and raise a company of artillerymen. De Sade and the company of 140 military artificers and engineers returned to Corsica in May 1795, taking with them 230 half-barrels of powder. Elliot was impressed with the men and stated that: The Maltese Cannoneers were amalgamated with a company of French Marine Refugee Artillery in 1796. They served in Portugal until June 1802, and the unit was disbanded the following August at East Cowes on the

Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight ( ) is a county in the English Channel, off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. It is the largest and second-most populous island of England. Referred to as 'The Island' by residents, the Isle of ...

. The men returned to Malta, which by then had become a British protectorate.

References

{{reflist Artillery units and formations of the British Army Company sized units of the British Army Military history of Malta Military units and formations established in 1794 Military units and formations disestablished in 1802 1794 establishments in Malta 1802 disestablishments in Malta