The Militia Coast Artillery
The Militia Coast Artillery was formed in 1801. It consisted of two companies based at St Paul's Bay and Marsaxlokk, with detachments manning the coastal towers. It was commanded by Captain John Vivion RA.
The Treaty of Amiens stipulated that the Malta garrison was to comprise of local and Neapolitan troops. The 2,000 Maltese troops were to consist of two infantry battalions of 700 men each (The Provincials), one battalion of Coast Artillery of 300 men, and one battalion of Veterans of 300 men.
In 1803, the Militia Coast Artillery became the Malta Coast Artillery.
Maltese Militia Coast Artillery 1801 – 1802
1800 Militia Coast Artillery
11 Dec 1800 Proposal for raising a Corps of volunteers for the service of the Coast Batteries of Malta to be known as the Corps of Maltese Coast Cannoneers.
1801 Militia Coast Artillery
Jan 1801 Captain John Vivion, Inspector of Maltese and Foreign Troops in Malta, raised two companies of Militia Coast Artillery to augment the British Royal Artillery.
1802 Militia Coast Artillery
1802 The Maltese Militia and two companies of Militia Coast Artillery were reorganised into the Provincial Battalions of 700 men each, one battalion of Coast Artillery of 300 men and one battalion of Veterans of the same strength.
Malta Coast Artillery 1803–1815
1803 Malta Coast Artillery
Feb 1803 The Malta Coast Artillery (1802–1815) was formed from the Militia Coast Artillery raised in 1801. The men were at St Paul's Bay and Marsaxlokk Bay. Its strength in February 1803 was 170 men.
1804 Malta Coast Artillery
1804 The Malta Coast Artillery consisted of three companies each of a hundred men. The gunners were at Marsaxlokk and St Paul's Bay.
1805 Malta Coast Artillery
1806 Malta Coast Artillery
1806 The strength of the Coast Artillery was increased by 50 men per company.
1807 Malta Coast Artillery
1808 Malta Coast Artillery
1809 Malta Coast Artillery
1810 Malta Coast Artillery
1811 Malta Coast Artillery
1812 Malta Coast Artillery
1813 Malta Coast Artillery
1814 Malta Coast Artillery
1815 Malta Coast Artillery
16 Feb 1815 The Provincials, Veterans, and the three Companies of Coast Artillery were incorporated by Thomas Maitland into the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.
Bibliography
- History of the Royal Malta Artillery. Criterion Press Valletta Malta, 1944.
- Samut Tagliaferro A. The Royal Malta Artillery 1800–1970.