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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 149

A rare Military General Service Medal awarded to G. Saliba, Maltese Pioneers

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Egypt (Giovanni Saliba, Maltese Pioneers.), good very fine

Although only three officers and three men of the Regiment of Maltese Pioneers are recorded by Mullen, a full Medal roll exists (WO 100/12) which gives the names of 39 other ranks who received the medal for Egypt, in addition to the three Officers, of which Saliba appears, alongside M. A. Saliba, probably a relation. .

The Maltese Pioneers were established in 1800 under the instruction of Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby and were raised and commanded by Lieutenant Francesco Rivarola. Intended to accompany Abercromby’s expedition in Egypt, the unit originally consisted of about 500 men. These troops were attached to the Ordnance Department and their duties included chopping wood and loading fuel transports during the Egyptian Campaign. They reportedly saw action against the French during the Battle and Siege of Alexandria in March 1801 and the next month formed part of the force under General Hutchinson at Ramaniah.

The Maltese Pioneers returned to Malta from Egypt in December 1801 upon the expiration of their service and the corps was subsequently disbanded early in 1802; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£2,400 to £2,800

Starting price
£2000