The expedition in 1809 was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Smith, of the 65th Regiment. It was accompanied by the frigates _Chiffon_ (Captain Wainwright) and _Caroline_. The military force comprised the 65th (York and Lancaster), the flank companies of the 47th (North Lancashire), and the 2nd Bombay Native Infantry, now the 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry, with a company of artillery. Nominally the pirates owned allegiance to the Sultan of Turkey, but his sovereignty was very shadowy, and as they had embraced Wahabiism they were looked upon more in the light of rebels than subjects. For years they had interfered with our commerce in the Persian Gulf, and had treated their prisoners with the refinement of cruelty. It therefore became necessary to root them out of their lair.
The little force left Bombay in the month of September, 1809, and proceeded to the pirate stronghold of Ras el Khima, on the Arabian coast. The Arabs fought bravely, but our superior armament and discipline soon told, and the fort, which had originally been built by the Portuguese more than two centuries previously, was dismantled. On December 27 the flotilla arrived at Linga, another piratical haunt, and this, too, after making a show of resistance, was destroyed. Hostages were brought to Bombay as security for the good behaviour of the tribes, and the force then returned to India, its total casualties having been:
+--------------------------+-----------+-----------+ | |_Officers._| _Men._ | | _Regiments_ +-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | K. | W. | K. | W. | +--------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+ |Royal Navy | - | - | 2 | 16 | |65th York and Lancs Regt. | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | |47th N. Lancs | 1 | - | 3 | 10 | |103rd Mahratta Light Inf. | - | - | 2 | 31 | +--------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
NOTE.--For this expedition the 2nd Bombay Native Infantry was granted the battle honour "Beni Boo Alli."
Welsh Regiment. Royal Irish Rifles. 66th Punjabis. 84th Punjabis. 104th Wellesley's Rifles.
A medal was struck, by order of the Governor-General of India, for distribution to the officers and men of the Company's forces present during the expedition.
In the _London Gazette_ of July 17, 1826, the 69th Foot (now the 2nd Welsh Regiment) was authorized to bear on its colours and appointments the word "Bourbon," in commemoration of the distinguished conduct of the regiment at the attack and capture of that island. Subsequently the same privilege was conferred on the 86th (2nd Battalion Irish Rifles).