1830 to 1858 : Troops in Penang

1830-1858 Troops in Penang

Detachment of 15^th Regiment Madras Native Infantry stationed in Penang was sent to Singapore for Garrison duties in 1835, with the departure of 6 companies of 29^th Regt Madras NI in Jan 1834 from Singapore. IN Jul, 1835, 48^th Regt Madras NI arrived for garrison duties for Singapore & Malacca.

15^th Regt Madras NI, Penang lost CO, Lt Col Gregory Jackson on 31 March 1835.

Penang Gazette was started in 7 April 1838, published weekly with the Prince of Wales Gazette.

1837 March, 12^th Regt Madras NI replaced 15^th regt as Garrison Troops

1840, Singapore became the transit station for troops proceeding to the China Expedition.

1840, 12^th Regt Madras NI departed for Palaveram and was relieved by 24^th Regt Madras NI for Penang Garrison. The regt also took over duties of protecting Malacca with detachment due to the hurried departure of 39^th Regt Madras NI ( Garrison duties for Singapore and Malacca) who joined the China Expedition in June 1842

Monday 19^th Sep 1842, a Royal Salute of 21 guns was fired, on knowledge that Peace has been concluded with China

27^th Regt Madras NI from Vizagapatham took over 24^th in Penang, with delay due to severe bad weather in Bay of Bengal.

1846, garrison force of Singapore, Malacca and Penang of 2 NI regiments has been reduced to 1. The unit covering the 3 stations was 27^th Regt Madras NI ( Officers wore black facings with silver lace).They were replaced on the last day of April 1846 by 21^st Madras NI ( officers worn buff facings with gold lace)

51^st Regt Madras NI was earmarked to serve in Penang & Malacca. But was garrisoned in Singapore instead and relieved 21^st Madras NI on April 1849

The work of garrison troops was a routine of drill and guard duties. With the officers attending social functions that was held in Vistorian Singapore, Malacca and Penang.

April 1852, 51^st Regt Madras NI departed to Vellore and was relieved by 43^rd Regt Madras NI.

1853, The Garrison of Penang was by then a subordinated unit to Singapore. The Regiment HQ was in Singapore and outstations at Malacca and Penang

1854, The Governor was requested to set Rules for the guidance of a Volunteer Rifle Corps

Early 1855, 29^th Regt Madras NI ( CO Lt Col J Richardson, died in Penang on 15 Sep 1856) became the garrison regiment of Penang. Singapore’s 43^rd Regt Madras NI heading to Vizagapatam was to be relieved by 38^th Regt Madras NI in April 1855

29^th Regt Madras NI band of the regiment ( John Brahm, bandmaster) was popular and gave performance in the Lines. Capt Henry Cazalet in 29^th was also an accomplished artist. His paintings dated 1856 – 57 . Popular painting “Penang from the Harbour 1856”. 29^th moved to Masulipatam and then to Kamptee in 1860 where Cazalet died from cholera in 5 March 1860

1857 Resident Councilor at Penang requested guidance of control of Sepoy military guards over convicts housed in Jail and the Convict Lines. OC Troops at Penang pointed out that the Military Guard was to support the Civil Power in the exercise of power over the inmates. April 1857 there was a riot in Penang which the Garrison of Penang acted nobly.

1858 Jun/Jul Lt George Towers Hilliard of 50^th Regt Madras NI who was Superintendent of Convicts and Executive Engineer, was recalled to India to suppress mutiny. He departed on 17 Jul onboard P&O Steamer Pekin for Galle & Madras. Jul 1858, Lta W S Mitchell of 22^nd Regt Madras NI was appointed when George was recalled.

Sat 13 Nov 1858, Straits Settlements ceased to be under the Company and became a Crown Colony

Penang Garrison Troops

1859 22^nd Regt Madras NI left for Madras on same ships that brought replacement 20^th Regt Madras NI

1861 20^th Regt Madras NI arrived 18 April after leaving Madras on 8 April by steamer Arracan and transport Jubal Cain.

1864, 16 Feb, arrival of 35^th Regt Madras NI and departure to Madras on 1 Apr 1868. Replaced by 7^th Regt Madras NI whom arrived on Penang, 17 Mar 1968, and moved to Singapore on 12 May 1869 to garrison the whole Straits Settlements

Extracted from British and Indian Armies in the East Indies by Alan Harfield