The 3rd Battalion, under Colonel Ashburnham, had been moved from South Africa to Malta, when the outbreak of hostilities in Egypt caused it to be dispatched to Cyprus and Alexandria.
The ownership of predominant shares in the Suez Canal Company gave us a close interest in Egyptian affairs. The finances of the Khedive had gone from bad to worse; and Captain Baring (later Lord Cromer) was sent out to organize his affairs. In 1881 an insurrection under Arabi Bey broke out, causing widespread disorder and the murder of European residents, and the British Government decided to take military action.
Bombardment of Alexandria, 17th July
Alexandria was bombarded by the Fleet and on 18th July the 3rd Battalion landed while the city was in flames, forming part of the advance force under Major-General Sir Archibald Allison. A portion of the Battalion took part with the Mounted Infantry on 22nd July, in the engagement at Mallana Junction, eight miles from Alexandria, and again in the reconnaissance in force on 5th August near Ramleh.
Rifleman F. Corbett gained the Victoria Cross during the latter operation.
Kassassin, 9th September
On 18th August, upon the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Garnet Wolseley, the 3rd Battalion embarked for Ismailia, and took part in the actions of Tel-el-Mahuta on the 25th and Kassassin on 9th September, when the enemy, about 13,000 strong, was completely defeated.
Tel-El-Kebir, 13th September 1882
The Battalion, temporarily commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. K. Ogilvy, formed part of the 4th Brigade under Colonel Ashburnham in the night march of 12th/13th September and the assault on the lines of Tel-el-Kebir at daybreak. The Brigade closed up on the left of the Highland Brigade as day began to dawn. The Battalion in two lines pressed eagerly forward with its accustomed dash, and entered the Egyptian works at about the centre of the position. Major Cramer, Second-in-Command, was wounded, and had his horse shot under him. The enemy gave way on all sides, and were broken and dispersed in headlong flight. Two days later Cairo was captured and the war ended, upon which the Battalion formed part of the army of occupation. El Teb and
Tamai,February,1884
In February, 1884, the Battalion was ordered to Suakin, where it served in a brigade under Brigadier General Redvers Buller, of the 60th. On 29th February it took part in the defeat of the Dervishes at El Teb. On 13th March it was present at the critical Battle of Tamai. The troops were in two squares, one under Sir Gerald Graham, V.C., commanding the force, the other under Buller. Graham's square was broken, and in the confusion some of its men poured a volley into Buller's, causing one face to run in. Buller at once rode outside the square, and with great coolness rallied his men. Had this square been broken the whole force would have faced disaster. The enemy left 1,000 dead in this part of the field. This action ended the campaign.
Lieutenant P. S Marling, 3rd Battalion, gained the Victoria Cross at Tamai,.
Mounted Infantry
The history of the 3rd Battalion at this period would not be complete without reference to the introduction of Mounted Infantry into the British Army. It may fairly be said that the creation of Mounted Infantry, its training and tactics were largely the work of officers and riflemen of the 60th, and in a very special degree of the 3rd Battalion. The value of this arm was established by the success of the relatively small force of Mounted Infantry in Egypt in 1882. This detachment, raised and organized by Captain Edward Hutton, 60th, who had raised and commanded Mounted Infantry in South Africa during the previous year, included many officers and men of the 3rd Battalion who had served in the Boer War. The Mounted Infantry took part in every engagement in the war, from the landing at Alexandria in July until the capture, by a coup de main, of the citadel of Cairo at midnight of the 14th/15th September.
