This distinction is borne only by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, as the lineal descendants of that most distinguished corps the 1st Madras European Regiment, which certainly has the right to bear with the Dorsets the title of "Primus in Indus."

From the earliest days of our association with the East Indies there had been mutual jealousies between the English and the Dutch merchants with regard to commerce in the Moluccas. So far back as the year 1623 the summary execution by the Dutch Governor of Amboyna of the commander of an East Indiaman nearly led to war between the two nations, and would have done so had not the States General disavowed the action of their colonial official. When Holland threw in her lot with France at the outbreak of the revolutionary wars, and granted the French fleets the hospitality of her Eastern harbours, it was determined to relieve the Dutch of these possessions.

In February, 1796, Admiral Rainier, commanding the fleet in the East Indies, sailed to Amboyna with a squadron consisting of the Suffolk (74), Centurion (50), Resistance (44), Orpheus (32), and Swift (16). The Dutch, recognizing the futility of resistance, surrendered, and Amboyna passed into our possession. The small body of troops employed on this occasion, as well as the navy, reaped a rich harvest in the shape of prize-money, the share of the Commander-in-Chief amounting to £90,000, and that of the Captains of the Royal Navy to £13,000 each. A detachment of the Madras European Regiment, under Major Vigors, was embarked on Admiral Rainier's squadron, and participated beneficially in the booty, the shares that fell to the lot of the soldiers being:

£s.d.
Major in command13,58300
Captains1,31400
Subalterns63600
Sergeants22900
Privates4400

At the Peace of Amiens, Amboyna and the neighbouring islands were restored to the Dutch. In the year 1810 it was found necessary to reoccupy them, and Captain Edward Tucker, R.N., with the Doris, Cornwallis, and Samarang, embarked a detachment of 130 men of the 1st Madras European Regiment (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), with 50 men of the Royal Artillery, as well as some sepoys. Slight opposition was encountered, our losses being 3 men killed, 1 officer and 9 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. We maintained a garrison in the island until the year 1814, when by the Treaty of Paris it was once more restored to the Dutch, and the British Empire deprived of one of the richest islands in Eastern waters.

Details of Force Landed.Casualties.
Force Engaged.Officers.Men.Officers.Men.
K.W.K.W.
Naval Brigade8235-114
Royal Artillery146-1-1
Royal Dublin Fusiliers5130--24

Ternate, 1801 and 1810.

This honour is borne only by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. It commemorates one of the many little oversea expeditions which we were compelled to undertake in the course of our wars with France between the years 1793 and 1815. Ternate is one of the Molucca Islands, and then, as now, belonged to the Dutch. Its harbours, however, were open to the French fleets, and gave refuge to vessels of war and to privateers, which preyed upon our China commerce. It became necessary, therefore, to reduce the island, and in the year 1801 a combined naval and military expedition was despatched for its subjugation. The Madras troops were under the command of Colonel Burr, and they encountered a stubborn resistance. It was not until after a siege of fifty-two days that the Dutch Governor surrendered. As was our custom, on the conclusion of peace in the following year Ternate was restored to its original owners.

In the year 1810 it again became necessary to take possession of the island, and, after the capture of Amboyna, Captain Tucker, with a small detachment of artillery and of the 1st Madras European Regiment, the latter under Captain Forbes, set sail for the island. There was but slight opposition, and on August 31 Ternate once more passed into our hands, only to be restored to the Dutch under the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1814.