Maltese Pioneers
The Maltese Pioneers was a pioneer corps that served from 1800 to 1801 within the British Army. In December 1800, Sir Ralph Abercromby instructed Lieutenant Francesco Rivarola to raise and command a force of 500 Maltese volunteers as pioneers for the expeditionary force in the Egyptian Campaign.[1] The troops were assigned to the Ordnance Department, and their work included cutting wood and loading fuel on transports.[2] Officers could also hire the pioneers as servants. The Pioneers saw combat in March and April 1801.[3] Apart from the pioneers, a third corps of artificers was also set up and joined the Egyptian Campaign.[4] After their terms of engagement expired, the Maltese Pioneers left Egypt and returned to Malta in late 1801, after a year of service.[4] The Pioneers shared in the proceeds of the French property captured in Egypt in 1801.[5] References
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