Canton Coolie Corps

The Canton Coolie Corps was a British Army logistics unit raised in 1860 for service in the latter part of the Second Opium War. The unit was recruited from Chinese men, typically from members of the Hakka people, who would serve as coolies, manual labourers who carry goods. Recruitment was slowed due to false rumours that the British intended to use the coolies as human shields in battle but around 3,000 out of a targeted 4,000 were mustered. The unit served in the march on Beijing and were well regarded. It was disbanded at the end of the war.