In his article ‘Russian interest in the Med and the Indian Army in Malta’, (The Sunday Times of Malta, September 6) Denis Darmanin set out a detailed account of the events leading up to, as well as the arrival of Indian troops in Malta in 1878. This article, written as a result of research recently carried out at Yale University Library where the Borton Papers are archived, adds previously unpublished details relating to Governor Sir Arthur Borton’s appointment and first few days in Malta, which coincided with the arrival of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, who visited Malta to inspect the Indian contingent.

To set the scene we go back to early 1878 when rumours were rife as to who would replace the retiring Governor of Malta, Sir Charles van Straubenzee. For example, on March 7, 1878, The Edinburgh Evening News announced that “a report prevails that the new Governor of Malta is to be General Sir Arthur Borton”. Speculation came to an end on May 13 when the London Gazette formally announced that Queen Victoria “had been pleased to sanction the appointment of General Sir Arthur Borton to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Island of Malta and its dependencies”.

In the meantime, tragedy struck the Borton family when, as reported in the Portagfoglio Maltese on April 15, Mary Louisa, Sir Arthur and Caroline, Lady Borton’s only daughter, succumbed to bronchitis and died in the city of Pau in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The family was distraught and Lady Borton seems to have been especially affected by the loss of her 25-year-old daughter.

Borton is mentioned twice in The Times of London in the two weeks between his official appointment and his departure from London at the end of May. On May 17 he was listed as having attended the Royal Levée held by the Prince of Wales at St James’ Palace on behalf of the Queen. Borton’s second event was a full-dress banquet given by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, at his residence in Portman Square in honour of the Queen’s birthday. No mention is made of the inconsolable Lady Borton at either of these entertainments.

The dutiful general set out from London without his wife but accompanied by his son, Arthur Close Borton, not just as an aide-de-camp but as essential support for his grieving father. The Borton’s double misfortune of loss and geographical separation gave rise to a poignant correspondence through which we can gauge simultaneously the depth of their loss and the strength of their relationship. There is little doubt that Sir Arthur was in deep mourning – his letters are written on stationary with broad black borders.

From London Sir Arthur writes on May 27: “My darling Carry, …No doubt dearest, our burden is hard to bear, and all these sad partings are a heavy strain upon the heartstrings. I trust with you however and believe that they are but preparing us more fully for the best which remaineth and for which at times I sigh bitterly.”

The Bortons had commissioned a sculpted bust of their daughter from a Mr Barton, and on receiving this, Sir Arthur experienced some regrets: “I have this evening received Barton’s [work] and my worst fears are more than realised. Hardly a trace of our darling’s features can I find and I shun to look at the bust lest it should lead me to forget the dear which was my joy and my solace. It will never see Barton’s shop as far as I am concerned and I shall pack it up in E’s cupboard to await your return. I have sent Barton his cheque and whilst complimenting him on his exertions to overcome the difficulties he had to contend against I have not hesitated to confess that the task had been too much for him.”

The Borton’s double misfortune of loss and geographical separation gave rise to a poignant correspondence through which we can gauge simultaneously the depth of their loss and the strength of their relationship

Sir Arthur then goes on to mention the banquet hosted by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach: “The dinner at Sir M.H.B’s was pleasant enough. I sat between Earl Cadogan and Sir H. Barclay. Every one wore their order of St Michael and St George, so I became acquainted with the ribbon which, if I live, I shall no doubt wear ere very long. I have a cruel lot of work around me before I go to roost so will say goodnight. God ever bless and give you peace and comfort. Ever your affectionate, A Borton.”

Sir Arthur’s comments about the ribbon of the Order of St Michael and St George clearly indicate his eagerness to receive the dignity of Knight Grand Cross, an ambition which was attained in 1880. The accompanying photograph of the Governor and his household, taken just before his departure from Malta in 1884, shows him wearing the insignia of the Order.

Borton indicates he had plenty of work to keep him occupied before he left England; one of his tasks was to meet the Duke of Cambridge. After his visit he writes as follows to his wife:

“Dearest Carry,

“I have spent much time with officers of State and have brought back the severest attack of gout in my left foot that I have ever felt! I trust it may subside during the night. I saw the Duke yesterday, he was very kind and friendly and quite touched me by the way in which he alluded to our great sorrow and his apparently sincere expression of sympathy.

“He does not care to have it talked of as a certainty, but it is evidently not improbable that he may come out shortly to see my Indians. He considerately said that in that case he should arrange to remain on board ship instead of deranging at the Palace. …No more now darling. I may report progress from Southampton tomorrow.”

The following day, May 30, Sir Arthur boarded the Peninsular and Oriental Company steamship Australia at Southampton, and at 1.30pm sat down to write to his wife. His letter, for once, is tinged with humour:

“Thanks be, darling, for your parting charge which met me on board. Here we are all safe; but I can’t say much for soundness. My military secretary looks green; the A.D.C. rather lean and white; and ADC No. 2 strong enough but rather exhausted by bringing my dispatch case on board which is so freighted with official papers that it weighs about a hundredweight.”

Borton’s military secretary was Lieutenant-Colonel David Maitland Crichton of the Grenadier Guards. Crichton proved to be an invaluable asset to the Governor; he had a knack for averting crises and solving problems. He really was a real-life version of the cinematic ‘Admirable Crichton’.

Despite all his near-perfect qualities, Crichton demonstrated one unique feature: when photographed he would studiously avert his gaze away from the camera so we always witness him in contemplative profile. The Governor’s first aide-de-camp was his son, Lieutenant Arthur Borton of the 13th Light Infantry, and his second was Lieutenant Robert Auld (later Major General Auld C.B.) of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Darmanin informs us that the staff officers of the Indian contingent started arriving in Malta at the beginning of May with the main force disembarking towards the end of the month. The outgoing Governor, Sir Charles van Straubenzee, conducted military inspections until his eventual departure on June 5 after which the new Governor assumed responsibility. Borton arrived in Malta on June 8, and according to the local newspaper Public Opinion, took his oath of office within a few hours of his arrival.

Papers in the Yale University collection indicate that Borton visited Malta during the Crimean War, and letter wrappers in the author’s collection indicate that the then Mrs Borton lived at 11, Strada Britannica, Valletta, while her husband was fighting in Crimea.

On Sunday, June 9, the day after his arrival, Borton wrote as follows to his wife, recalling former days on the island and indicating clearly that their daughter was intended to have joined them on this posting.

“It was strange to find myself put ashore in State – with guard of honour and booming guns, at Sa Maison. I could but raise my eyes to the lofty bastions which have replaced my home of former eventful days, and in that moment lived over the interval which has brought about such great changes.

The Indian regiments left behind many mementos. In fact, they made a profound impression on the troops stationed in Malta, the artists working for illustrated magazines as well as Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì

“You may imagine the cr & & & [coded text] at the heart which passed over me and has done so – Oh so often in the last 24 hours. Everything which ought to bring pleasure brings, alas, wretched pain, because our darling cannot share it and give it life.”

Borton seems to have been particularly concerned about hosting the Duke of Cambridge; the topic comes up numerous times in his correspondence to his wife. His main concern must have stemmed from the unpreparedness of his establishment, having only just arrived and barely unpacked his belongings. Another concern was caused by the Duke’s weight. On June 12 he wrote the following to Lady Borton:

“We are in some perplexity about the Duke. He has sent me no message but a private telegram tells us today that he brings four staff with him and no horses, trusting to me to mount them. But where to find a safe mount for H.R.H.’s 18 stone I know not! Then again, though I am preparing a suite of rooms for him at some trouble I have no certainty that he may not adhere to his declared intention to stay on board ship. You know I hate uncertainty.”

The Duke of Cambridge arrived at Malta on board HMS Helicon on June 16 and stayed until June 20. During this time the duke performed an exhausting number of inspections, dinners and speeches. Probably the most impressive event, held on June 17, was the full dress parade for the whole troops in Malta: European and native Indian, the former under Sir James Airey, the latter under Major-General Ross, with generals Watson and Macpherson as brigadiers under him. A remarkable group photograph taken at the Palace shows the Duke of Cambridge, Governor Borton and the commanding officers. Once again the admirable Crichton averts his gaze.

Due to the heat, the Duke of Cambridge ended up sleeping at the Palace, and despite the Governor’s fears, everything seems to have gone well. A couple of days after the duke’s departure, Sir Arthur was able to report to his wife:

“Dearest Carry,

“Now that my guests have left me you will expect to hear how we got on and I may relieve your anxieties by saying that all went off without a hitch. The duke was highly pleased and most gracious and thankful for my hospitality and his staff were full of thanks and all most sensible of the exertions of my staff to make things comfortable.

“The linen chest was the weakest point, but thanks to Crichton’s contributions we tided this famously notwithstanding two consecutive parties of 44 and large luncheons. I am entirely satisfied with my staff. Crichton has great experience and arranged the Levées as though it had been Buckingham Palace.”

On July 17, Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived in Malta to take charge of the Indian contingent and ensure their safe journey to Cyprus. Sir Arthur Borton’s travails were over. He found “Sir Garnet a most agreeable man to talk to” and hoped for a “gloriously easy time of it” and a relaxing period at Verdala once the contingent had departed.

In his article, Darmanin informs us that the Indian regiments left behind many mementos. In fact, they made a profound impression on the troops stationed in Malta, the artists working for the illustrated magazines as well as Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì.

The 27-year-old artist must have enjoyed seeing and recording the Indian troops at first hand. He is reported to have made a series of 12 pastel drawings of these oriental subjects, two of which are reproduced here. The portrait of the Bengal Lancer is particularly well observed, however the befeathered young lady seems less authentically Indian but nonetheless exotic.

The author would be interested in hearing from any reader who knows of other paintings by Giuseppe Calì of the Indian troops. He may be e-mailed at grech@cua.edu.