The marines in Malta

I refer to Terence Mercieca's interesting letter about the British marines and General Graham (April 27). I would add that it was the marines who were the first British troops as a force to land in Malta on March 30, 1799. The Maltese were at this time in a desperate situation because of an outbreak of malignant fever which had claimed the lives of many of the Maltese inhabitants who were besieging the French fortifications.

The marines were under the command of Captain James Weir, commanding officer of the marine detachment on board HMS Audacious, who had received orders from Captain Alexander Ball, RN, to land his marines to strengthen the Maltese advanced posts.

The marines' first task when they landed was to besiege the French in front of Portes des Bombes. This advanced post guarded the main entrance to the Valletta fortifications. It also defended the main road leading to San Anton Palace and St Paul's Bay where the blockading ships often anchored to carry out repairs and take on provisions from British store-ships.

A detachment of marines also occupied the Samra battery in Hamrun, close to where Captain Weir established his HQ at St Joseph. To strengthen the battery 32 pounders were landed from the ships blockading squadron.

The marines remained at these posts until May when Captain Weir received new orders to re-embark his marines on board the blockading ships and join Admiral Nelson in Naples, then in a turmoil.

By the end of July, with Naples secured from the French, the marines returned to Malta and once again were landed to support the Maltese along the investing lines.

When further detachments of marines were landed, Admiral Nelson considered that, in view of the number of marines ashore, there should be a field officer in command. Captain Weir being the senior officer, Nelson sent a letter dated December 6, 1799 from Palermo appointing Captain Weir as brevet major of the Marine Corps ashore in Malta.

This dispatch was brought to Malta with the 30th and 89th Regiment of Foot which arrived at St Paul's Bay on December 9, 1799 under the command of Colonel (acting Brigadier-General) Thomas Graham who, on landing, was put in command of all the troops ashore including the British marines.

Major Weir remained in Malta for another two years during which time he was asked by General Graham to raise and command the first Maltese corps under British pay. This corps, known as the Malta Fencible Light Battalion, took part in besieging the French fortifications and, in 1801 under Major Weir, 300 volunteers of the battalion helped to drive the French from the island of Elba.

Prior to the demobilisation of the Maltese corps, when their two-year period came to an end on March 28, 1802, Major Weir was presented with the colours of the Maltese Light Battalion which he took with him to Britain. These colours remained in the Weir family until 1884 when Major Weir's son, Thomas Weir, returned them to Malta.

Major James Weir died in 1820.