Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines
Location: Sidon
Period/ Conflict: Egyptian–Ottoman War
Year: 1840
Date/s: 27 September 1840
Sidon stands on an eminence rising somewhat abruptly from the sea; high walls enclosed the three landward sides; the houses and barracks along the beach formed practically a line of fortifications toward the sea; from the Barrack a bridge ran out to a castle standing in the sea.
Another large castle stood in the centre of the town, and there was another small fort on the south side, crowning a small but steep ascent from the level ground outside. The principal gate, which was well defended, was on the north side near the beach.
The ships told off were the Thunderer (84), Guerriera (Austrian), Wasp (18), and Gulsefulde (Turkish); also the Gorgon and Cyclops steamers.
The Cyclops carried a Battalion of Turks 500 strong, the Gorgon six Companies of the 1st RM and six Companies of Turks under Captain Morrison RM The Hydra arrived with Walker Bey, the Turkish Admiral, and the Stomboli with 284 Royal Marines under Captain Whylock, RM.
A summons to surrender was peremptorily refused; the plan was for Captain Morrison's Battalion to land on the beach to the north of the town; Captain Whylock's detachment, with 100 Austrian Marines under Prince Frederick, to land to the South-East, whilst the Turks were to capture the outlying castle and bridge.
The heavy guns of the Gorgon opened on the barracks and shore end of the bridge, whilst the guns of the larger ships were directed at the houses and walls of the town.
After half an hour's bombardment, the sea castle was breached, and the Turks effected a lodgment, but the enemy still held the barracks though the walls had been swept away.
Captain Whylock's detachment and the Austrians on landing advanced on the small fort on the South side, and with great skill and gallantry forced their way into the fort and houses round with the loss of Lieutenant C F Hoskin RM killed and several men wounded. (Hoskin held the Order of San Fernando for operations in Spain.)
Having secured the fort they were ordered to fight their way to the main citadel in the centre of the town. The Turks, headed by Walker Bey and two British Naval Officers, forced their way over the bridge into the Barracks, whilst the RM Battalion under Captain Morrison which had landed on the north side broke into the North Gate.
The Allies, advancing into the centre of the town from all directions, encountered a large house near the Barracks, which made a strong resistance; at last headed by Hassan Bey, the Egyptian Commander, the garrison made a sortie, which was met by the Royal Marines, and Hassan Bey refusing to surrender, was killed.
The whole garrison of 3000 men were killed, wounded or captured, although the landing force was only half their numbers. The Governor, Suleiman Pasha, resisted to the last; he was killed and his house destroyed by the Royal Marines. Lieutenant A Anderson (afterwards Commandant at Plymouth) planted the British flag on the walls of Sidon and one of the enemy standards was captured by Corporal John Symons RM. The Royal Marines remained here until 8th October, when they returned to their ships. Image: Bombardment of Sidon, September 27th 1840.
Related Royal Marines 'Dits'
References/ Further Reading:
Wikipedia - Battle of Sidon (1840)
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