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THE 28TH AT THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
21st MARCH, 1801

By 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte had conquered most of continental Europe and was turning his eyes to the East — to the great prize of India secured by the British from the French in 1757. In 1798 Bonaparte led an expedition to conquer Egypt- the first step — and cut off India from Britain except by way of the long route around the Cape. He suffered a major setback when Nelson destroyed the French Fleet in Aboukir Bay, leaving their Army stranded. Bonaparte abandoned his Army to return to France and seize power. However, the 27,000 French troops still posed a threat.

A plan was devised to drive the French out of Egypt and restore it to its rightful owners, the Turks, thereby safeguarding British India. 17,000 men, under the able and popular Sir Ralph Abercomby, and including the 28th, were to land near Alexandria and advance on Cairo. Meanwhile, another force under General Baird was to approach across the desert from the Red Sea. On 8th March, 1801, the cream of Abercomby’s troops, stormed ashore at Aboukir Bay and, in a quick and furious action, drove the French from their positions among the sand- dunes. The Regiment received a special mention in Abercomby’s despatch — "lt is impossible to pass over the good order in which the 28th and 42nd Regiments landed".

The landings had taken place at the eastern end of a narrow neck of land about a mile wide. To the north was the Mediterranean and on the southern flank, a series of inland lakes. Alexandria lay 12 miles west of the landing beach. The advance began and, after a sharp action on the 13th, the Army had taken up a defensive position some 3 miles from Alexandria. On the right of the British line was an old Roman fort on a hillock close by the sea. lf taken by the enemy they would be able to roll up the British line from that flank. The key to the whole position was a partially finished redoubt in front of the old fort which was manned by the 28th. On their left were the 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch).

On the 21st March, just before dawn, distant firing was heard from the far left of the British line Working parties of the 28th continued to improve their defences until, suddenly, heavy firing broke out to the immediate front of the redoubt and, within minutes, the outlying picquets came tumbling in. Two French Brigades, advancing in columns, hidden by the sand-dunes and moving with great caution under the cover of darkness, were heading straight for the British right flank. Heavy fighting ensued to the front of the 28th as they fire: at the flashes of the French muskets in the semi darkness. Other French columns swept by on both flanks, so that soon the regiment was cut off. Their position seemed to observers to be enveloped in a blaze of fire. The British musketry was delivered from a line only two ranks deep – a recent change from the old three-deep arrangement. Their disciplined volleys caused heavy casualties amongst the attackers so that they gave way and retreated.

Then, unnoticed in the dim light and tumult of battle, a third brigade of French infantry entered the gap between the British right and centre-. Its leading battalion then wheeled to its left between the redoubt and the Roman ruins, directing heavy on the 28th from their rear. Fortunately a counter attack by the 42nd Highlanders restored the situation. They and the left flank companies of the 28th then halted the remainder of the French brigade. However, in pursuing the enemy the Highlanders went too far and in turn, became disorganised themselves. At this moment, as dawn was breaking, the French Commander realized his first line of cavalry. French dragoons charged through the 42nd and swung around towards the rear of the 28th. But by good fortune they ran foul of the sleeping - holes dug by the men of the 28th, floundered and fell in the pits and were thrown into great confusion, while the 42nd and the 58th, in the ruins, joined the flanking companies of the 28th to beat them off.

Meanwhile, the battle raged right down the line but nowhere so fiercely as the redoubt. The sun was now well up and the various French Battalions encircling the redoubt made a second, concerted attack. While the 28th were still locked in combat to their front and flanks, the second body of French Cavalry was sent forward supported by another reserve infantry brigade. Five hundred horsemen galloped past the flank of the 28th. While some made for the southern slopes of the redoubt others, breaking through the wretched Highlanders once more, formed up to charge the 28th from the rear.

It was the critical point of the battle. No immediate reserves were available and Colonel Paget, who had led the 28th since the landings, had fallen, seriously wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Chambers took over command and seeing the grave new threat just in time, gave the historic order, "REAR RANK, 28TH RIGHT ABOUT FACE!"

The rear rank turned about and, standing with their backs to their comrades, held their fire. Without the support of a second rank, they had but one volley to fire for there would be no opportunity to reload. With extraordinary discipline they waited coolly until the enemy were within a few horses lengths of them and fired a volley which brought many of them crashing to the ground. This made others stumble and fall, throwing such confusion and disorder into the remainder that they made haste to withdraw. "l was astonished at the execution which had so instantaneously been done", wrote Sergeant Coates of the 28th. "After the volley the 28th faced about again and resumed their fire on their assailants in front, such as had ammunition; but many, having now expended all, resorted to throwing stones".

lt had been a close run thing but the worst was over. Soon after the great climax at the redoubt it became clear that the French had spent their force and they made a general retreat to Alexandria. Subsequently Cairo was taken, Alexandria surrendered and Napoleon’s dream of an empire in the east was destroyed. Meanwhile Baird’s force, which included the 61st, made an epic march of 130 miles across the desert in searing heat but were not needed. The British Army had enjoyed its first real success of the war.

The losses of the 28th had been 20 men killed and 4 officers, 50 men wounded on the 21st March. For their gallantry this day in fighting back to back, the 28th were granted the unique distinction of wearing a badge at the back as well as the front of their caps. The battle honour EGYPT (with the Sphinx) together with the laurel leaves denoting victory were borne on the Regimental Colour and cap badges (front and back) of the Gloucestershire Regiment.

(The Back Badge is still worn today by the Rifles in No 1 Dress and by the Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Army Cadet Forces.)