Regiments
Of the Malta Garrison
42nd (Royal Highland
The Black Watch)

The 42nd (Royal Highland — The Black Watch)

1832 42nd Royal Highlanders

1 Feb 1832 The 42nd Royal Highlanders arrived from Gibraltar. It replaced the 85th Regiment which embarked for Winchester. The regiment had 16 Officers, 484 men, 52 females and 103 children at Floriana Barracks. Remittent fever prevailed, but the symptoms were mild.

7 Feb 483 men arrived from Gibraltar to replace the 2nd/Rifle Brigade which left for Corfu. The 42nd was affected by intermittent fever shortly after its arrival from Gibraltar.

14 Feb Lt Col Sir Charles Gordon 42nd Foot was sworn in as acting Lieutenant Governor and Garrison Commander. He took over the civil administration of Malta during the absence of Sir Frederick Ponsonby.

The 42nd Regiment assembled in Lodge No 104 of the Loyal Orange Institution, notwithstanding the Commander–in–Chief forbidding any officer or soldier from attending Orange Lodge meetings. Major William Middleton, officer commanding the 42nd Regiment, forbade his men from assembling in a lodge under pain of being tried by General Court Martial.

In 1832, there were 24 Loyal Orangeman in the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment. The office bearers were: Corporal John M'Kay Master, William Christie Deputy Master, Edward Sloss Secretary, James Bain Treasurer. Among the members were Private Malcolm M'Innes and Private John Eite, who had belonged to the Orange Lodge for 14 years and had been Deputy Master of Lodge No 175 of the 85th (Buck's Volunteers) Regiment.

Marriages in 1832:

• 19 Mar Bachelor Pte James McLaren to Johanna Gunn, widow of the late Pte Alexander Gunn 42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 23 Mar Bachelor Sgt John Macartney to Ellen Jervis, spinster of the Parish of Tyrley Quarter near Market Drayton, in the County of Stafford.
• 14 Apr Bachelor Pte John Henry Fraser to Mary Carrol, spinster of Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, daughter of Pte John Carrol 42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 3 Nov Bachelor Sgt John Gardiner to Phoebe Allen, spinster residing in Valletta in the family of Dr Irvine RN.
• 10 Dec Bachelor CSgt James Swanson to Jane Moore, spinster from Gibraltar.

Baptisms in 1832:

• 19 Feb Elizabeth Hill daughter of Pte John Hill and Jane, born on 17 January 1832.
• 7 Mar Rosanna Lemon daughter of Pte James Lemon and Rose, born on 21 February.
• 24 Apr Anne Christie daughter of Pte Andrew Christie and Catherine, born on 21 April.
• 29 Apr Richard Roycroft son of Pte Robert Roycroft and Anne, born on 22 April.
• 4 May David Dixon Johnstone son of Pte Thomas Johnstone and Mary, born on 17 April.
• 6 May Thomas Fraser son of Sgt Alexander Fraser and Catherine, born on 29 April.
• 6 May James Robertson son of Pte James Robertson and Anne, born on 28 April.
• 3 June John Alexander Stewart son of Sgt John Stewart and Mary, born on 9 May.
• 2 July Margaret Chisholm daughter of Pte Donald Chisholm and Judith, born on 3 June.
• 10 Sep Elspeth McKenzie daughter of Pte John McKenzie and Elspeth, born on 7 September.
• 9 Oct Andrew Thomas Penny son of Sgt Major Thomas Penny and Maria, born on 19 September.
• 23 Oct Charles Wheatley McHardy son of CSgt Charles McHardy and Jane, born on 4 October.
• 8 Dec Ellen Tait daughter of Pte George Tait and Ellen born on 1 December.
• 10 Dec James McLaren son of Pte James McLaren and Johanna born on 10 December.
• 14 Dec Elizabeth McLennan daughter of Pte John McLennan and Alice born on 7 December.

Burials in 1832:

• 18 Feb William McDougall aged 7 weeks, son of Pte William McDougall.
• 13 June Richard Roycroft aged 2 months, son of Robert Roycroft.
• 19 June Mary Johnstone aged 34 years, wife of Pte William Johnstone.
• 20 July Thomas Fraser aged 3 months, son of Sgt Alexander Fraser.
• 16 Aug Jean Fraser aged 22 months, daughter of David Fraser.
• 27 Sep Nancy Christie aged 17 months, daughter of William Christie.
• 15 Oct Robert Mackay aged 3 years, son of Sgt Alexander Mackay.
• 31 Oct Pte Alexander McKay aged 24 years.
• 21 Dec Pte David Levack aged 38 years.

1833 42nd Royal Highlanders

In 1833, the 42nd Highlanders was quartered in the Cottonera District. There was no accommodation for married soldiers and their families in the barracks. Families were lodged instead in private houses in the streets and lanes of Bormla and Isola. Their quarters often consisted of small, damp, and poorly ventilated rooms.

Dec 1833 The 42nd marched to Lower St Elmo Barracks Valletta. The upper storeys of Lower St Elmo Barracks were dry and were suitable as accommodation for the men; the rooms in the basement were damp as the floor level was just above the high water mark. These rooms were considered unsuitable for use as dormitories, but some of them were nonetheless used as married quarters due to insufficient accommodation in the barracks. The kitchens and an orderly room were also at this level.

In the beginning of the year, a draft of 24 men joined the 42nd from the Ionian Islands, increasing the strength of the regiment to 506 rank and file. By December 1833 the regimental strength dropped by 47 men to 459 men. 18 men who had been engaged on limited service only were discharged. Four men had completed their long service engagement and received their release from the army. Seven men were invalided on the recommendation of a Medical Board. Seven men died, and eleven men returned to the Depôt.

There were 491 men on the sick list during the year, with an average of 29 sick in hospital per day. The following diseases were recorded:

• Phlegmon and Abscess — 24 (Total in garrison 139)
• Cynauche Tonsillaris — 14 (Total in garrison 51)
• Acute Hepatitis — 2 (Total in garrison 20)
• Chronic Hepatitis — 1 (Total in garrison 4)
• Rheumatismus Acutus — 12 (Total in garrison 92)
• Chronic Rheumatismus — 4 (Total in garrison 7)
• Catarrhus Acutus — 69 (Total in garrison 513)
• Chronic Catarrh — 1 (Total in garrison 23)
• Pneumonia — 5 (Total in garrison 146)
• Phthisis Pulmonalis — 4 (2 †) (Total in garrison 22)
• Cholera — 8 (Total in garrison 21)
• Diarrhoea — 34 (Total in garrison 184)
• Dysenteria Acuta — 3 (Total in garrison 17)
• Ulcera Penis — 71 (Total in garrison 107)
• Bubo Simplex — 34 (Total in garrison 74)
• Gonorrhoea — 33 (Total in garrison 115)
• Hernia Humoralis — 14 (Total in garrison 45)
• Morbi Oculorum — 12 (Total in garrison 77)

There were 19 cases of Remittent Fever, with one death. In most, fever was preceded by morning rigors with exacerbations in the evening, cold shivering, frontal headaches and epigastric pain. There were only two cases of Common Continued Fever during the year, none proved fatal.

There were 160 cases of ophthalmia. Five men were invalided to England due to loss of their sight or visual impairment.

Assistant Inspector of Hospitals John Davy described Acute Rheumatism as those cases such as commonly occur in Malta, and chiefly in the winter season, marked generally by pain and difficulty of motion, and some derangement of general health, and very rarely indeed attended either by redness or swelling of the affected part or by a pyrexial state. The texture affected appears to be more commonly the muscular fibre. The disease yields readily to treatment but is apt to recur.⁴

Acute catarrh was endemic in Malta. It affected the native population as well as troops. Acute catarrh first appeared among the 42nd in the early winter of 1832 when the regiment was stationed at Floriana Barracks. Early in 1833, it spread to the 7th Foot soon after the regiment relieved the 42nd at Floriana. In the 42nd, acute catarrh was very common from July to September. By the end of the year it became the dominant complaint among the men in Lower St Elmo Valletta. The officers almost entirely escaped it. In many instances acute catarrh was accompanied by a cutaneous eruption similar to urticaria. The PMO thought that acute catarrh was the same disease as the influenza which had prevailed in Malta and in almost every part of Europe during that year.

Two fatal cases occurred in barracks in the last quarter of the year. One died from a ruptured aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, the other from apoplexy. A fatal case of peritonitis occurred in the 42nd Regiment, probably secondary to pancreatitis. The man had been drunk on the night previous to his death. The PMO said that although it could not be ascertained, it was not improbable that the soldier had received a blow over the region of the pancreas, which resulted in a pancreatic bleed and death in less than 24 hours.

The winter of 1833 was cold, wet, and miserable. Women and children huddled in their lodgings. Inflammatory diseases, such as coughs, catarrh and pneumonia broke out among them towards the end of April, even though the weather had by then become mild and temperate. In July and August, the weather turned hot and sultry and bowel complaints became very common among the children. There was one fatal cases of fever among the women. Towards September, ophthalmia and measles appeared among the children.

The 42nd Regiment assembled in Lodge No 104 of the Loyal Orange Institution, notwithstanding the Commander–in–Chief forbidding any officer or soldier from attending Orange Lodge meetings.

In May 1833, there were 30 Loyal Orangeman in the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment. The office bearers were: Master Corporal John M'Kay, Deputy Master Josias Strachan, Secretary William Christie, Treasurer James Bain, Senior Deacon William Rennie, Junior Deacon William M'Kay, Chaplain George Watt and Tyler Edward Scott.

Marriages in 1833:

• 2 Dec Bachelor Pte Daniel Glenn married Mary Ann Rose, spinster daughter of Sgt George Rose 42nd Regiment.

Baptisms in 1833:

• 17 Mar Margaret Wood daughter of Pte Thomas Wood and Margaret, born on 7 March 1833.
• 28 Apr Alexander Tennant son of Pte Dugald Tennant and Margaret, born on 20 April 1833.
• 2 May Jane Christie daughter of Pte William Christie and Mary, born on 28 April 1833.
• 2 June Harriet Selina McKenzie daughter of Sgt Donald McKenzie and Eliza, born on 8 May 1833.
• 3 June John McDougal son of Hospital Sgt John McDougal and Agnes, born on 2 March 1833.
• 16 June Isabella Smith daughter of Pte James Smith and Anne, born on 5 June 1833.
• 8 Sep William McKenzie son of Pte John McKenzie and Anne, born on 19 August 1833.
• 2 Oct Georgina Maria Bessey Middleton daughter of Major William Middleton and Mary Ann, born on 30 June 1833.
  W. Middleton became a major 42nd Royal Highland Regiment on 15 August 1826.
• 19 Oct James McLaren twin son of Pte James McLaren and Joanna, born on 19 October 1833.
• 19 Oct Peter McLaren twin son of Pte James McLaren and Joanna, born on 19 October 1833.
• 30 Oct Janet Christie daughter of Pte Andrew Christie and Catherine, born on 26 October 1833.
• 4 Nov Margaret Ann Bands daughter of Sgt William Bands and Margaret, born on 28 October 1833 was privately baptised by Archdeacon John Thomas Howe Le Mesurier. She was publicly admitted into the church on 18 February 1834.
• 24 Nov David McDougall son of Pte David McDougall and Margaret, born on 12 November 1833.
• 2 Dec Daniel Glenn son of Pte Daniel Glenn and Mary Ann Rose, born on 13 November 1833.
• 24 Dec John Gordon Morris son of Pte John Morris and Mary Ann, born on 7 December 1833.

Burials in 1833:

• 4 Jan Ann Roycroft aged 32 years, wife of Pte Robert Roycroft.
• 4 Jan James McLaren aged 3 weeks, son of Pte James McLaren.
• 18 Jan Pte Thomas Reid aged 33 years.
• 6 Feb Rosanna Lemon aged 11 months, daughter of James Lemon.
• 23 Mar Elizabeth Christie aged 18 months, daughter of Charles Christie.
• 20 Apr Pte John McLean aged 25 years.
• 20 Apr Paymaster Sgt Ronald Campbell aged 27 years, died on 20 April 1833.
• 24 Apr Elizabeth Hill aged 15 months, daughter of Acting Cpl John Hill.
• 16 July Pte Samuel Bell aged 25 years.
• 3 Aug Harriet Smith aged 20 months, daughter of John and Alice Smith.
• 3 Aug Charles McHardy aged 10 months, son of Charles and Jane McHardy.
• 21 Aug Andrew Thomas Penny aged 11 months, son of Thomas and Maria Penny.
• 25 Aug Margaret Ward aged 40 years, wife of Thomas Ward.
• 14 Oct Pte Malcolm McInnes aged 34 years.
• 21 Oct James McLaren 1 day old twin son of Pte J. McLaren.
• 21 Oct Peter McLaren 1 day old twin son of Pte J. McLaren.
• 17 Nov Charles Blake aged 6 days, son of Pay Master Stephen Blake.
  S Blake became Paymaster 42nd (The Royal Highland) Regt on 3 July 1828. He was previously Paymaster 1st (The Royal) Regiment. The burial register erroneously records him as Paymaster Royal Fusiliers.
• 22 Nov Donald McKenzie aged 2 years, son of Donald McKenzie.
• 16 Dec Mark Burnett aged 3 years, son of James Burnett.
• 26 Dec Drm John Kay aged 23 years.

1834 42nd Royal Highlanders

1 Jan 1834 Strength 475 men.

4 Dec The 42nd Royal Highlanders embarked for Corfu on the transport Jupiter. It was relieved in the garrison by the 1st/60th (The King's Royal Rifle Corps).

Marriages in 1834:

• 5 Feb Bachelor Captain Robert Douglas Macdonald eldest son of Colonel Robert Macdonald of Inckenneth Argyllshire to Mary Anne Carleton, spinster daughter of Mr Edward Carleton Captain of the Quarantine Port. The nuptials were celebrated in the Government Chapel Valletta.
• 29 Mar Bachelor Sgt John McLellan to Elizabeth Armstrong, spinster of the Parish of Portsea Hampshire.
• 13 Nov Bachelor Pte Peter Smith to Teresa Borite, spinster of the Parish of St Paul in the City of Valletta, Malta.

Baptisms in 1834:

• 2 Jan Thomas John McHardy son of QM Sgt Charles McHardy and Jane, born on 8 December 1833.
• 4 Feb William Bain son of Pte James Bain and Amelia, born on 30 January 1834.
• 4 Feb Catherine Dryden daughter of Cpl Gavin Dryden and Catherine, born on 11 January.
• 14 Mar Rosanna Baxter daughter of Pte George Baxter and Eliza, born on 7 March 1834.
• 9 June Thomas Christie son of Pte Charles Christie and Mary, born on 27 May.
• 13 July Elizabeth Hill daughter of Acting Cpl John Hill and Jane, born on 6 July.
• 7 Sep James Mclaren son of Pte James McLaren and Joanna, born on 2 September.
• 14 Sep Thomas Roberts Penny son of Sgt Major Thomas Penny and Maria, born on 24 August.
• 22 Sep Thomas Johnstone son of Pte Thomas Johnstone and Mary, born on 15 September.
• 23 Nov Christiana Petrie daughter of Sgt David Petrie and Eliza, born on 13 November.
• Dec Birth of a son to Captain Robert Douglas Macdonald.

Burials in 1834:

• 14 Jan Pte John Nesbit aged 25 years.
• 12 Feb Pte Donald McPherson aged 30 years.
• 21 Feb David McDougall aged 3 months, son of Pte D. McDougall.
• 7 Mar Pte John Watt aged 36 years.
• 3 June Drm Hector McCallum aged 36 years.
• 18 June Pte William Kitchen aged 25 years.
• 23 June Pte John McDonald aged 31 years.
• 23 June Pte Donald Chisholm aged 34 years.
• 28 June Cpl David McEwen aged 26 years.
• 30 June Thomas Gardiner aged 9 months, son of Pte John Gardiner.
• 4 July Pte William Watt aged 28 years.
• 27 July George Dryden aged 4 years, son of Gavin Dryden.
• 3 Aug Catherine Dryden aged 7 months, daughter of Gavin Dryden.
• 8 Aug Anne Toddun aged 16 months, daughter of George Toddun.
• 12 Aug School Master Sgt David Munro aged 34 years.
• 13 Aug Janet Christie aged 9 months, daughter of Pte Andrew Christie.
• 21 Aug William McKenzie aged 1 year, son of John McKenzie.
• 28 Aug Isabella Smith aged 15 months, daughter of James Smith.
• 2 Sep William Hossack aged 4 years, son of John Hossack.
• 25 Sep Jane Christie aged 16 months, daughter of Pte William Christie.
• 23 Oct William Baxter aged 3 years, son of George Baxter.
• 12 Nov Pte James Brown aged 30 years.

The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment

1843 42nd Royal Highlanders

30 Jan HQ Coy 1st/42nd Foot embarked at Cephalonia for Malta.

11 Feb Ensign James McLachlan 42nd Regiment, was dining at the Main Guard Valletta when he threw some orange pips out of the window. Unfortunately for him, the viatico, or the taking of the host to the dying, was passing at the time and the lead man was hit. McLachlan was charged with committing an offence against the religion of the island and was imprisoned for six months. He had denied the charge, and the judge had recognised that there had been no malicious intent to profane the Holy Sacrament. As a result of this incident the governor ordered the windows of the Main Guard to be closed up.³

16 Feb 13 Officers, 345 men, 32 women and 44 children 1st/42nd Foot arrived from Corfu. They disembarked at Malta on 20 Feb 1843.

17 Mar 248 men, 23 women, and 42 children of 1st/42nd embarked at Zante. They arrived at Malta on 27 March 1843.

Marriages in 1843:

• 1 Nov Bachelor Pte Thomas Cooper of Lanark, Lanarkshire Scotland married Lucy Gun, of Gibraltar, a minor with the consent of her guardians.

Baptisms in 1843:

• 30 July Margaret McKay born on 25 July 1843, daughter of Pte David McKay 1st/42nd and Margaret.
• 10 Sep Charles Hepburn born on 18 August 1843, son of Pte David Hepburn and Mary.
• 15 Oct Margaret Weston Vigrow born on 12 September 1843, daughter of Sgt Alexander Vigrow and Amelia.
• 15 Oct William Macintosh Smith born on 23 September 1843, son of Pte James Smith 1st/42nd Foot and Janet his wife.
• 29 Oct Eliza Langley born on 26 July 1843, daughter of Sgt Thomas Edward Langley and Margaret.
• 12 Nov Charles Faulds Jameson born on 21 October 1843, son of Pte Charles Jameson and Isabella.
• 12 Nov Benjamin Glen born on 10 June 1843, son of Pte Donald Glen and Mary Ann.

Burials in 1843:

• 9 Feb Robert Wood son of Cpl Walter and Jane Wood died 1 Feb 1843, aged 3 yrs 5 mths was buried in the Quarantine Bastion Cemetery, Floriana.
• 9 Feb Sgt William Brunker died instantly when he fell while walking on the bastion of Fort St James. He was interred with military honours in the Quarantine Bastion Floriana. A child belonging to Cpl Woods of the same regiment was buried at the same time, forming a rare but melancholy spectacle.³

1844 42nd Royal Highlanders

15 Jan 1844 The colonel of the 42nd was charged with compelling his men to attend the church of the Venerable Archdeacon John Thomas Howe Le Mesurier, Chaplain to the Forces in Malta, instead of being allowed to go to the Free Church of Scotland, lately set up in Malta, or to some other dissenting places of worship.² By an order from Horse Guards, the Reverend Mr MacKail, minister of the Scotch Free Church in Malta has been called on to officiate to the 2nd/42nd Royal Highlanders, in the same way as his predecessor the Reverend Julius Wood.¹

On enlistment, the religion of the troops was noted and the men were regularly marched to the church of their professed tenet. This happened every Sunday in Malta, when catholic soldiers and protestant soldiers went to the Normal School, the place where for many years they had been accustomed to listen to the Archdeacon, who for upwards of thirty years had been the Government Chaplain to the Forces. The 42nd Royal Highlanders and the 90th Regiment attended the church of Archdeacon Le Mesurier. For years they sat under his communion. In 1843, however, the Free Church of Scotland seceded from the Church of Scotland. This church was not acknowledged by HM Government as the Church of Scotland, established by law, but a church dissenting from the Church of Scotland.

Marriages in 1844:

• 6 Mar Bachelor Pte John Bigbie married Margaret Wilson, widow of Pte Charles Wilson 1st/42nd Royal Highland Regiment.

Baptisms in 1844:

• 14 Jan Jane Clark born on 28 December 1843, daughter of Pte William Clark 1st/42nd and Isabella.
• 28 Jan Martha Elizabeth Buchan born on 12 January 1844, daughter of Sgt John Buchan and Elizabeth.
• 25 Feb Elizabeth Paterson born on 14 February 1844, daughter of Cpl Robert Paterson and Elizabeth.
• 3 Mar Jane Collins born on 23 February 1844, daughter of Cpl John Collins and Elizabeth.
• 2 Jun James Alexander Bunch born on 18 May 1844, son of Pte James Bunch and Sarah.
• 4 Aug Euphemia Ogilvie born on 18 July 1844, daughter of Pte George Ogilvie and Mary.
• 5 Oct Lydia Dickson MacNeil born on 5 September 1844, daughter of Pte Donald MacNeil and Lydia.
• 13 Oct James McLauchlan born on 24 September 1844, son of Pte William McLauchlan and Ann.
• 17 Nov Isabella Robertson born on 18 October 1844, daughter of Cpl William Robertson and Catherine Ross.
• 15 Dec David McKay born on 24 November 1844, son of Pte David McKay and Margaret.

1845 42nd Royal Highlanders

28 Apr 1845 The 42nd Royal Highlanders marched from Floriana Barracks to relieve its Reserve Battalion at Isola Gate.

Marriages in 1845:

• 3 June Bachelor Armourer Sgt James Pattison of Drumachose in the County of Londonderry, Ireland and Mary Holoran, spinster of the Town of Newark in the County of Nottingham
• 25 Dec Bachelor Sgt Charles Barry of the Parish of Killeen County Meath, Ireland and Emma Hyde, widow of George Hyde born at Stonehouse County Devon.

Baptisms in 1845:

• 3 Aug Jane Matilda Glen born on 18 July 1845, daughter of Mary Ann and Pte Daniel Glen 1st/42nd Highlanders.
• 6 Sep Euphemia Kinghorn born on 19 August 1845, daughter of Elizabeth and Sgt William Kinghorn 1st/42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 19 Sep Flora Louisa MacCleod Macquarie daughter of Flora Campbell MacCleod and Capt George Willison Macquarie 42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 7 Dec Anne Adams born on 23 November 1845, daughter of Anne and Pte James Adams.
• 21 Dec Agnes Maxwell born on 10 December 1845, daughter of Mary and Pte Thomas Maxwell.

A Presbyterian burial ground existed on the Hornworks of Floriana for soldiers of the 42nd Royal Highlanders and the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. The cemetery was in use from 1840 to 1850. In 1965, the gravestones were moved to Pieta Military Cemetery.

1846 42nd Royal Highlanders

May 1846 During the rotation of regiments in the command, the 42nd moved from Isola Gate, St Salvatore Bastion and St Francesco de Paola to Floriana Barracks. There was one accidental death in 1846.

24 July At St Paul's Collegiate Church Valletta Bachelor Cpl Robert Wilson of the Parish of Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland married Caroline Parkinson, spinster born at Dover Kent, daughter of John and Ellen Parkinson.

Baptisms in 1846:

• 8 Feb William Jameson born on 21 January 1846, son of Isabella and Cpl Charles Jameson.
• 29 Mar Margaret Ann Waite McOwan born on 20 March 1846, daughter of Joan Mackintosh and Pte Peter McOwan 1st/42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 31 May Isabella Clark born on 22 May 1846, daughter of Isabella and Pte William Clark.
• 2 Aug George Collins born on 13 July 1846, son of Elizabeth and Cpl John Collins.
• 16 Aug Bartholomew Macpherson born on 2 August 1846, son of Mary and Alexander Macpherson.
• 22 Nov Albert Inglis born on 29 October 1846, son of Elizabeth and Sgt David Inglis.

1847 42nd Royal Highlanders

Baptisms in 1847:

• 31 Jan Mary McRae born on 9 December 1846, daughter of Isabella and Pte Shaw McRae 1st/42nd Royal Highlanders.

27 Feb 485 men, 32 women and 54 children from the 1st Bn and the Reserve Bn 42nd Foot embarked for Bermuda. The Malta Times in its edition of Friday 26 February 1847, commented:

The embarkation of the 1st/42nd for Bermuda took place at 2 o'clock yesterday on board the Vengeance 80 guns, but has not yet sailed. The Malta Times compliments the regiment as being famed for conquests achieved among the fair sex, who with becoming patience are to sigh their sorrows to the winds with their anxious hearts affected, as the editor can answer for, as long as a stitch of canvas of the ship that carries them away shall be visible above the horizon. This deep seated love lasting as long as the ship is in sight! However, it would be prudent lest this regiment of sorrow sticken damsels be paraded on the bastions or the heights, that precautions be taken to secure them from catching cold, or spoiling their lovely eyes by such intense watching.⁵

HMS Vengeance with the 1st Battalion 42nd Highlanders left Malta on Saturday 27 February.

The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment

1854 42nd Royal Highlanders

1855 42nd Royal Highlanders

Burials in 1855:

• 16 May Pte James Carden 42nd Regiment aged 37 years.
• 6 Sep Capt R C Cunninghame 42nd Regiment aged 26 years.
• 6 Nov Pte James Gleen aged 18 years.

The 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch) Regiment

1874 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch)

14 Nov 1874 The 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch) Regiment embarked at Portsmouth and disembarked in Malta on 27 November. It relieved the 1st/13th Regiment which embarked for the Cape of Good Hope on 3 December 1874.

The 42nd Regiment had an average strength of 62 men. It had 61 admissions (983.9/1000 mean strength) into hospital with no deaths (5.81 deaths/1000 mean strength).

1875 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch)

The 42nd Foot had an average strength of 663 men.

It had 634 admissions into hospital with 4 deaths including 1 among the invalids. 25 invalids were returned home for discharge from the service.

Its average daily sick was 25.72. The average sick time to each soldier was 14.81 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 14.81 days.

The 42nd Regiment had 5 cases of remittent fever which were relapses of West African fever.

26 officers, 43 Sgts, 21 Drummers and pipers, and 630 rank and file occupied Isola Gate Barracks.

1876 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch)

The 42nd Regiment had an average strength of 648 men.

It had 867 admissions into hospital with 5 deaths.

11 invalids were returned to the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley for discharge from the service.

Its average daily sick was 23.42. The average sick time to each soldier was 13.19 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 23.29 days.

Soldiers from the regiment lined the route during the visit of The Prince of Wales to Malta.

1877 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch)

The 42nd Foot had an average strength of 718 men. It had 575 admissions into hospital with 5 deaths. It had 17 invalids returned to England.

Its average daily sick was 30.44. The average sick time to each soldier was 15.48 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 19.31 days.

25 July 1877 A large draft of 13 corporals, 2 drummers, and 271 privates from the 79th (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders) joined the 42nd at Malta, the 42nd being linked to the 79th under the brigade depot system.

1878 42nd Royal Highland (The Black Watch)

The 42nd Foot had an average strength of 477 men. It had 298 admissions into hospital with 2 deaths. 20 invalids were returned to England. Its average constantly sick was 16.28 (34.13/1000 mean strength). The average sick time to each soldier was 12.46 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 19.94 days.

9 Jan 1878 In 1878 the regimental establishment was increased to 1,103 all ranks. The right half battalion moved to Fort Chambray Gozo on the anticipated arrival of the Indian Expeditionary Force in May.

5 Feb Headquarters Coy and the left half battalion moved from Pembroke Camp, to Fort Manoel.

18 July The 42nd Royal Highlanders along with half a battalion of the 101st Regiment formed part of Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley's Expeditionary Force to Cyprus. It embarked on HMS Himalaya on 18 July, and arrived in Cyprus on 23 July 1878.

The total number of troops landed in Cyprus amounted to 2,643 British, and 5,015 Indian, including in the latter, one company of European artillery. They arrived at Larnaca on the 22 July 1878. The Indian contingent remained in Cyprus for a very short time before re-embarking for India.

19 Nov The 42nd left Cyprus for Gibraltar after 120 days on the island. The men lived under canvas. Malaria was rife. Out of a strength of 727 men, there were 1258 admissions for disease with 12 deaths, or a rate of 1730/1000 for admissions, and 16.5/1000 for deaths.

The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Regiment

1 July 1881 The 42nd Regiment became The 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

1886 The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

1 May 1886 The Black Watch embarked in Egypt following operations in the Sudan. It had been in Egypt since 20 August 1882, and was at Trinkitat (Sudan), Suakin, and Lower Egypt. It disembarked in Malta on 5 May 1886.

The 1st/Royal Highlanders was stationed in Cottonera for 8 months. It had an average strength of 523 men.

It had 303 admissions (579.3/1000 mean strength) into hospital with 2 deaths (3.82/1000 mean strength). 3 invalids returned to England. Its average constantly sick was 18.70 (35.75/1000 mean strength).

The average sick time to each soldier was 13.05 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 22.52 days.

1887 The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

The 1st/Royal Highlanders had an average strength of 849 men. It had 419 admissions into hospital with 3 deaths. 17 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 29.64. The average sick time to each soldier was 12.74 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 25.82 days.

Baptisms in the Garrison Church, Valletta in 1887:

• 3 Apr Mary Ethel Esmé Grogan daughter of Ida Georgina Mary and Maj Edward George Grogan of Valletta, born on 4 Mar 1887.
• 26 Aug John William Studley son of Mary Ann and CSgt Harry Studley of Fort St Elmo and the Camarata Valletta, born on 12 Aug 1887.

Burials in Pietà Cemetery in 1887:

• 7 July Pte Hugh Dixon aged 24 years.
• 1 Aug Child Silas Henry Simpson aged 2 months, son of L/Cpl Simpson.
• ?8 Aug Child Constance Ellen Mabel Scott aged 3 months, daughter of Barrack Master Scott.
• 28 Aug Child John William Studley aged 15 days, son of CSgt Studley.

1888 The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

The 1st/Royal Highlanders had an average strength of 821 men. It had 455 admissions into hospital with 4 deaths. 15 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 30.45. The average sick time to each soldier was 18.57 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 24.49 days. The battalion was quartered at Lower St Elmo Barracks Valletta with detachments at Forrest Station Hospital.

In 1888, the Malta Garrison included two Scottish Regiments, the Black Watch and the Gordon Highlanders.

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1888:

• June David Collins Sadler aged 3 months.
• June Henry Edward Sadler aged 3 months.
• 29 Sep Pte William Campbell aged 24 years.
• 16 Nov Pte Thomas Hopkinson aged 23 years.
• 26 Nov Pte Charles Crowe aged 21 years.
• 21 Dec Pte James Miller aged 36 years.

1889 The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

The 1st/Royal Highlanders had an average strength of 520 men. It had 209 admissions into hospital with 2 deaths. 17 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 16.12. The average sick time to each soldier was 11.31 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 28.15 days.

8 Aug 1889 The 1st/Royal Highlanders was quartered at Lower St Elmo Barracks and Marsamxetto Barracks Valletta. It embarked for Gibraltar where it arrived on 13 August.

Burials in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889:

• 7 Jan Alexander Ewen Watt aged 1 year 13 days.
• 14 Jan Rhoda Margaret Elizabeth McLauchlan aged 2 years 6 months.
• 3 Feb Pte James Hope, aged 26 years.
• 28 June Edward Farquhar Neill, aged 9 months, son of Sgt Neill.
• 20 July Piper John McKechnie aged 25 years 1st/Black Watch.

The Black Watch Regiment

1963 The Black Watch

The 2nd/42nd Reserve Battalion Royal Highland Regiment

1843 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn)

1 Jan 1843 535 men, 36 women, and 38 children of the 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn) arrived from Portsmouth.

1843 15 officers and 537 men were at Valletta with a detachment 26 men at Fort Tigne.

Marriages in 1843:

• 2 Dec Bachelor L/Sgt John Renton married Margaret Russell, a spinster of the Parish of Kilbride in the town of Clara, King's County Ireland.

Baptisms in 1843:

• 6 Aug Mary McCormick Milne born on 10 July 1843, daughter of Pte James Milne Reserve/42nd and Agnes was baptised by the Rev John Thomas Howe Le Mesurier Chaplain to the Forces.
• 3 Sep Helen Stalker born on 13 August 1843, daughter of Sgt William Stalker Reserve/42nd and Johanna.
• 19 Sep Elizabeth Myles born on 6 September 1843, daughter of CSgt James Myles and Agnes.
• 8 Oct Margaret Gardiner born on 15 September 1843, daughter of QM Sgt John Gardiner and Phoebe.
• 29 Oct Margaret Martha Chalmers born on 8 October 1843, daughter of Pte Quintin Chalmers and Margaret.
• 3 Dec Anne Wood born on 18 November 1843, daughter of Cpl Walter Wood and Jane.

Burials in 1843:

• 29 Dec Thomas Robb Reserve Bn 2nd/Royal Highlanders, aged 23 yrs died on 29 Dec 1843 after a short illness. He was buried at the Quarantine Bastion Cemetery, Floriana.

1844 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn)

1844 Strength: 536 men.

Baptisms in 1844:

• 3 Mar Donald Maclean born on 12 February 1844, son of Pte John Maclean and Julia.
• 6 Mar Catherine Ross born on 12 January 1844, daughter of Cpl Alexander Ross and Mary.
• 21 Apr Charles John Bassett born on 22 March 1844, son of Sgt Robert Bassett and Jean.
• 5 May James Pate born on 21 April 1844, son of Pte James Pate and Margaret Jackson.
• 5 May James Purdie born on 25 April 1844, son of Pte Andrew Purdie and Martha Stuart.
• 26 May Mary Ann Knowles born on 7 May 1844, daughter of Pte John Knowles and Ann.
• 7 July George Thomas Denison born on 17 June 1844, son of Armourer Sgt Robert Denison and Isabella.
• 14 July Alexander William McPherson born on 1 July 1844, son of Mary and Pte Alexander McPerson, was baptised by the Rev Edward Hilton Officiating Chaplain to the Dockyard and Naval Hospital.
• 18 July Gillian Hector Maclaine Ross, son of Mary Jane and Lt Gillian Maclaine Ross, was baptised by the Rev J H Bastard Officiating Chaplain.
• 13 Oct Henry Fulton born on 5 October 1844, son of Pte Henry Fulton and Barbara.
• 20 Oct Margaret Abbot Sarah John William Robertson born on 1 October 1844, daughter of Pte Thomas Robertson and Elizabeth.
• 3 Nov Jane Rankin born on 13 October 1844, daughter of Sgt William Rankin and Mary.

1845 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn)

Apr 1845 The regiment marched from Isola Gate to relieve the 88th Regiment at Fort St Elmo.

May Colonel MacDougal, commanding the Reserve Battalion 42nd Royal Highland Regiment fell off his horse fracturing his arm. The colonel was on his rounds when the accident happened while he was riding through Porta Reale Gate Valletta.

Baptisms in 1845:

• 12 Jan Anne Allan born on 5 November 1844, daughter of Anne and Sgt John Allan Reserve/42nd.
• 26 Jan Mary MacFarlane born on 5 January 1845, daughter of Margaret and Duncan MacFarlane Reserve/42nd.
• 9 Mar John Kinnean born on 18 February 1845, son of Johanna nee Stewart and Sgt John Kinnean.
• 25 May Thomas Daniel Cooper born on 12 May 1845, son of Lucy and Pte Thomas Cooper.
• 6 Apr Susan Hill born on 20 March 1845, daughter of Jane and Sgt Robert Hill was baptised by the Rev William Guise Tucker Chaplain to HM Dockyard Malta.
• 26 Oct Janet Wood born on 10 October 1845, daughter of Jane and Cpl Walter Wood.
• 9 Nov Robert Elwood Renton born on 24 October 1845, son of Margaret and Sgt John Renton.
• 15 Nov Flora Maclaine Ross born on 26 April 1845, daughter of Mary Jane and Lt and Acting Paymaster Gillian Maclaine Ross.
• 18 Nov Robert Henry Fraser born on 1 November 1845, son of Mary and Pte John Fraser.
• 30 Nov Jean Isabella Somerville Gardiner born on 6 November 1845, daughter of Phoebe and QM Sgt John Gardiner.
• 24 Dec Anne Grant born on 12 December 1845, daughter of Isabella and Drm George Grant.

1846 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn)

May 1846 During the annual rotation of regiments in the command, the Reserve Battalion 42nd Foot moved from Fort St Elmo to Strada Torre Barracks and St James Cavalier.

Marriages in 1846:

• 24 July Bachelor Cpl Robert Wilson born in the Parish of Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland married Caroline Parkinson, a spinster born at Dover, Kent, daughter of Ellen and John Parkinson. The ceremony was conducted by Assistant Chaplain Thomas Bacon in St Paul's Collegiate Church Valletta .
• 5 Dec Bachelor Sgt Archibald McCullum born at Ledgowan Renfrewshire married Mary Anne Blay, spinster born at Iffley, County of Oxford daughter of William and Ann Blay.

Baptisms in 1846:

• 19 Apr Mary Johnston born on 26 March 1846, daughter of Rachel and Pte George Johnston Reserve Battalion 42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 7 May Alice Rankin born on 7 April 1846, daughter of Alice and CSgt William Rankin.
• 26 July Mary Campbell McLean born on 16 July 1846, daughter of Catherine and Pte Alexander McLean.
• 27 Sep Jane Margaret Purdie born on 11 September 1846, daughter of Martha and Pte Andrew Purdie.
• 9 Oct Anne Barry born on 9 October 1846, daughter of Emma and Sgt Charles Barry.
• 18 Oct Donald Campbell Stoker son of Pte William Stoker.
• 6 Dec Agnes Alexander Milne born on 29 November 1846, daughter of Agnes and James Milne.

1847 2nd/42nd (Reserve Bn)

25 Feb 1847 The 2nd/42nd embarked on the troop ship Resistance for Bermuda, but their departure was delayed by an outbreak of measles.

16 Mar 469 men, 26 women and 38 children from the Reserve Bn 42nd Foot left for Bermuda.

Baptisms in 1847:

• 10 Jan John Aelam Bowie born on 30 December 1846, son of Catherine McKinzie and Cpl Robert Bowie Reserve Battalion 42nd Royal Highlanders.
• 4 Feb Mary Janet Robertson born on 21 January 1847, daughter of Elizabeth and Pte Thomas Robertson.
• 5 Mar Ronald Macquarie Ross born on 31 December 1846, son of Mary Jane and Lt Gillian Maclaine Ross.