1882: A Royal Navy squadron commanded by Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour bombarded Alexandria, following the rise to power of Colonel Arabi, opposed to European influence in Egypt; a riot in the city in June claimed the lives of fifty Europeans. The Royal Navy guns won the duel with the Egyptian shore batteries, and Arabi evacuated his troops from the city. Seymour landed seamen and Royal Marines three days later to restore order.

During the action, HMS Alexandra was hit by a 10 inch shell which failed to explode on impact. Israel Harding, a gunner, rushed to the shell, which had come to rest above the companionway leading to the magazine, picked it up and threw it in a tub of water to render it safe. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, his action having probably saved the ship from a catastrophic explosion.

1900: At Krugersdorp, Captains Younger and Gordon of the Gordon Highlanders led a small party to rescue artillery equipment under heavy Boer fire. They managed to drag an ammunition caisson under cover, but Younger was mortally wounded attempting then to rescue the guns themselves. Gordon then abandoned the attempt and succeeded in getting other wounded men back to the British lines. Both officers were awarded the Victoria Cross.

1940: During the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe mounted significant attacks on the naval facilities at Portland and Portsmouth.

1941: After five weeks of fighting, which cost 3,900 British, Indian, Australian and Free French casualties, the Vichy French forces in Syria surrendered.