Suffolk.
Dorset.
Northampton.
Essex.
Highland Light Infantry.
In the month of June, 1779, Spain declared war against England, France having done so in the preceding year. There was no doubt as to the object of the Spaniards—the recapture of Minorca, Gibraltar, and the American Colonies lost to us in the preceding wars. Fortunately, we had in Gibraltar a soldier who knew his work. Though the name of Eliott will ever be associated with the Rock, soldiers may also like to know that the gallant defender of Gibraltar raised and trained that distinguished regiment the 15th Hussars. From the moment that he took over the command in 1777 Eliott set to work to strengthen the defences. On the declaration of war he had but 5,382 of all ranks in his garrison, including 458 gunners. His chief danger was starvation, for on the land side he was completely hemmed in, whilst on the sea the Spaniards instituted a close blockade, and brought pressure to bear on His Shereefian Majesty to forbid the exportation of fresh meat and vegetables to the garrison from Morocco. In November of that year Rodney defeated the blockading fleet, and threw in the 71st (Highland Light Infantry), a welcome reinforcement, and also stores sufficient to maintain the garrison for a year. The Spaniards now drew closer the blockade, and commenced to throw up elaborate siege-works; but it was not until April, 1781, that the blockade was converted into a siege in earnest, and it is said that between then and November upwards of 100,000 shot and shell were poured into the place. Our casualties were by no means heavy, nor did the fortifications suffer much, though the town itself was utterly destroyed. On the 27th of that month (November) Eliott attacked the Spaniards, destroyed and burnt their batteries, spiking a large number of guns, but though his losses in this sortie were slight, his men suffered much from scurvy and the incessant duty which was imposed on an all too scanty garrison. From time to time a vessel would elude the blockading fleet; and on one occasion Admiral Darby forced his way through with the 97th Regiment, and later still the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 59th (East Lancashires) were also thrown in. In May, 1782, the Spaniards were reinforced by a strong French division, and the siege was continued with renewed vigour. Floating batteries, with massive timber roofs to protect the gunners, were built by the allies, and then on September 14, 1782, convoyed by forty-seven sail of the line, this formidable armada entered the bay, and opened a fresh bombardment from the sea. To this Eliott responded with red-hot shot, and once more the garrison was saved. In the following month Howe was enabled to convoy a fleet of transports under the Rock, and so relieved Eliott of his one dread—starvation. In February, 1783, peace was signed between Spain and England, and on the 6th of the month the gates of the fortress were thrown open, after a bombardment of thirteen months.
Casualties at the Defence of Gibraltar, 1779-1783.
| Regiments. | Officers. | Men. | ||
| K. | W. | K. | W. | |
| Royal Artillery | 2 | 8 | 29 | 121 |
| Roy. Engineers | - | - | - | - |
| 12th Suffolks | 1 | 3 | 27 | 110 |
| 25th K.O. Scottish Borderers | - | - | 2 | 8 |
| 39th Dorsets | 2 | 3 | 27 | 60 |
| 56th Essex | - | 3 | 27 | 67 |
| 58th N'amptons | 1 | 2 | 18 | 74 |
| 59th E. Lancs. | - | - | 8 | 9 |
| 71st Highland L.I. | - | 6 | 42 | 115 |
| 72nd Seaforth Highlanders | - | 3 | 55 | 148 |
| 73rd Regt. | - | 6 | 44 | 115 |
| 97th Regt. | - | - | 13 | 41 |
Maida, July 4, 1806.
This distinction is borne on the colours of the
Lancashire Fusiliers.
Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Royal Sussex.
North Lancashire.
Northamptons.
Seaforth Highlanders.
Gloucestershire Regiment.
It recognizes the gallant services of these regiments in the engagement fought in defence of our ally, the King of Naples, by the little force under the command of General Stuart against a superior body of French under General Regnier. In 1847, when the so-called Peninsular medal was issued, a special clasp, "Maida," was awarded to the survivors of the brilliant little action on the shores of the Straits of Messina. The Grenadier and Light Infantry battalions, which bulk so largely in the accompanying list of casualties, were composed of the flank companies of the five battalions engaged, supplemented by 250 men of the 35th (Royal Sussex) and a company of the 61st (Gloucesters), and so it comes about that, although the headquarters were not present, the old 35th and 61st were accorded the battle honour. The losses in this engagement were:
| Regiments. | Officers. | Men. | ||
| K. | W. | K. | W. | |
| Grenadier batt. | 0 | 1 | 4 | 26 |
| Lancs Fusiliers | - | - | 1 | 6 |
| 27th Inniskillings | - | - | 6 | 47 |
| 58th Northamptons | - | - | - | 2 |
| Light Infantry battalion | 1 | 3 | 7 | 42 |
| 78th Seaforth Highlanders | - | 7 | 4 | 74 |
| 81st North Lancashire | - | 2 | 19 | 63 |