1859 to 1915 : Troops in Penang

1859 – 1915 : Troops in Penang

1860 reports on conditions of barracks in Penang. The hospital for the European and Native artillery requires ventilation and more for Sepoy dispensary. The Sepoy barracks was in good condition but the grounds need to be well drained and vegetation cleared.

1 Apr 1862 Penang Garrison of 20^th Regt Madras NI was down to 243, after a detachment was sent to Labuan . After 183 on duty daily and 35 hospitalised, only 25 men was left for fatigue duty.

With completion of fortifications on Singapore, necessary to form “Local Company” of Madras Artillery for re-allocation of artillerymen in Straits Settlements. The whole of the “Local Company” was stationed in Penang.

1871 discussion of replacement of sepoy regiments with regiments of the British Army. 1872 last Sepoy regiment , 19^th Regt Madras NI returned to Trichinopoly, India. The first “European Infantry” regiments arrive; the 80^th(Staffordshire Volunteers) Regiment of the Foot arrived 17 March 1872

The regiment marched 3 miles from the docks to Tanglin Barracks Singapore. March 1872, D company moved to Malacca under Capt Charles Tucker

20 April 1872, A & B companies moved to Penang under Major Charles F Amiel. The remaining 5 companies stayed in Singapore

1894 Reduction of European force was discussed with replacement of certain elements with Native Troops. Proposal was rejected by Colonial Defence Committee in Feb 1894.

“Asiatic Artillery” were to be employed in the garrison. Approval was requested in June 1894, and was actually given on 29 Nov 1896.

March 1900, 16^th Madras Infantry arrived to take over garrison duty from British troops due to the need to have British units available for service in South Africa.

16^th Madras Infantry was relieved November 1901 and replaced by 2 regiments from the Indian Army – the 3^rd Madras Infantry and the 13^th Madras Infantry.

After the close of the South Africa war, the decision was made to increase Straits Settlements Command from 1 Battalion to 2. – One from British Army and the second battalion supplied by the Indian Army. As a result, 1^st Battalion Manchester Regiment arrived in Singapore on April 1903 to relieve the 3^rd Madras Infantry whilst 13^th Madras Infantry remained until relieved by the 73^rd Carnatic Infantry in Jan 1904.

With the outbreak of WW1 1914, British Infantry battalions were once again withdrawn leaving the 3^rd Brahmans, which was relieved by the 5^th Light Infantry that mutinied on February 1915

29 April 1915, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, disturbance broke out ( 1 Police Sergeant Killed). Lt Col C W Brownlow with a force of 163 men from the 4^th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry ( Territorial Force), 50 men from the Royal Garrison Artillery and 21 men from the Singapore Volunteer Infantry arrived at Pasir Puteh on 5 May 1915. The Malay States Guides (MSG) with 140 men and two machine guns reinforced the force on 13 May 1915. The HMS Cadmus shore party supplemented the expedition. After 10 days, the disturbance subsided with little oppositions and the force returning to Singapore and the MSG detachment left behind to police the area.

The MSG remained in Kelantan until Sep 1915 when they departed for overseas duties in Aden. They were relieved by a force of 1 officer and 38 men from the Malay Company, Penang Volunteers and 2 officers and 24 men from the Singapore Volunteer Infantry. After their departure on Nov 1915, the Special Constables ( later the Kelantan Volunteer Rifles) took over control of the area.

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