According to the Treaty of Amiens of 1802, Britain was to evacuate Malta and restore the islands to the Order of St. John.

The treaty also stated that at least half of Malta's garrison had to consist of 2000 Maltese soldiers led by native officers.

Their roles included acting as guards for government offices, military facilities and public spaces.

The veterans consisted of the oldest and most experienced Maltese recruits, most of them who had been soldiers during Hospitaller rule or the French occupation.

[3] The Maltese Veterans assisted civil authorities in the efforts to contain the 1813 plague epidemic in Malta.