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Topic: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80 (Read 5816 times)
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Hello fellow researchers,
I'm new to this forum and just wanted to register my interest in this campaign (Afghanistan 1878 - 1880). I am happy to help with questions anyone might have, and I am also interested in hearing from the descendants of people who were involved in or around the war.
I have a lot of information at hand but am always interested in more. Queries are welcome, as I like to help out if I can, and it also forces me to look into different aspects of the campaign and I learn more for myself each time.
I have a website, which will be going through some bigger updates over the next few months, at http://www.angloafghanwar.info
All the best -
Garen.
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dortmund
RootsChat Veteran
Posts: 852
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Hi Garen,
My Great-Grandfather James Kersley (51st Regt of Foot) was at Ali Musid with the 51st, he later was the RSM of the 51st at Pontefract.
Trevor
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Ethell in Yorkshire & Kent Gamble in Hemsley & York Kersley In Sheffield & Winchester Roberts in Llanwrst & Sheffield Lill in Boston Wake in Yorkshire Census information is Crown Copyright, from " http://wwwnationalarachives.gov.uk" |
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Hello Trevor,
As you probably know, the 51st had quite a busy time at Ali Musjid, even after the battle. One particularly exciting episode, a few days later, saw 200-300 Afridis rush a small piquet manned by just 17 men of the 51st - the attack was repulsed.
I'm not sure if you're aware of this link which publishes the diary of Colonel Ball-Acton, who commanded the 51st int he second phase of the war (second-in-command during the first phase).
http://www.parsonsfamily.co.uk/acton_afghan1.php
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dortmund
RootsChat Veteran
Posts: 852
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Hi Garen,
Thanks for the info. I have attatched this below taken from The Bugle 1st Feb 1879 (the Bugle was the regimental mag of the 51st).
Trevor
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Ethell in Yorkshire & Kent Gamble in Hemsley & York Kersley In Sheffield & Winchester Roberts in Llanwrst & Sheffield Lill in Boston Wake in Yorkshire Census information is Crown Copyright, from " http://wwwnationalarachives.gov.uk" |
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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That's wonderful, Trevor, thanks so much for sharing it. The Khyber was a real hot-spot of trouble. If it wasn't Afridi tribesmen it was cholera!
Thank you again.
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Thank you for that one, Annie - it's already on my links page, a great resourceful site.
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Trevor -
I don't know if you are aware of the book 'Scenes Through the Battle Smoke' by the Rev. Arthur Male, but I was just researching through it (having read it a few years ago) when I came across the story you posted up about the Afghan in Sergeant Isaac Webster's tent..
"... With their lithe forms they [the Afghans] are accustomed to wriggle their tortuous course unseen along the ground, sheltered and concealed by every tiny bush or boulder. In this way, eluding most cunningly even the keen-eyed native sentries, they were known to creep into the very tents where the men were sleeping, to plunder, and even murder. A sergeant of the 51st, for instance, lying wakeful and restless in a tent under the very nose of a sentry, flung his hand careless over the side of his charpoy, and it alighted on the bare skull of one of these creeping robbers, who had got in and was lying there waiting for further opportunity. In a moment both men sprang up, and for a brief instant there was a life and death struggle. The Afghan, armed with his keen heavy knife, cut and slashed to free himself; while the sergeant, unarmed, and hampered with his heavy greatcoat, in which he was lying, could only hold on and shout for assistance. In rushed the guard, but out at the other side rushed the robber, breaking from his captor's grasp, whom he left behind bleeding from many a wound."
It's on page 76-77 (I have a c.1910 edition) - which you may already know.
Best -
Garen.
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dortmund
RootsChat Veteran
Posts: 852
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Hi Garen,
Thanks for the extract, I was not aware of the book you quote, but I also have a copy of the Bugle extract and a copy of Extracts from ‘History of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry’ by Col. H.C. Wylly, C.B., Volume 1.
Which also details the incident.
Trevor
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Ethell in Yorkshire & Kent Gamble in Hemsley & York Kersley In Sheffield & Winchester Roberts in Llanwrst & Sheffield Lill in Boston Wake in Yorkshire Census information is Crown Copyright, from " http://wwwnationalarachives.gov.uk" |
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Hello chesters,
Is his name and regiment not on the medal? If not, can you describe the medal - ribbon, dates, any clasps, and the rough diameter of it? I have the medal roll at hand, so let me know a name and I could start a search, but it could take a while without his regiment.
More info at www.angloafghanwar.info
Best -
Garen.
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Well - I found him pretty quickly! As you're interested in Cheshire and Staffordshire research I checked the first regiment I came across that was as local as possible, which was the 8th Foot (Liverpool, or The King's, regiment).
Private Edwin Chesters, no.1818, Afghan War medal, no clasps, 8th Foot.
The 8th were involved at the Peiwar Kotal battle (2 Dec 1878), but as Edwin has no clasp for that he must have missed it. He may have been part of the 2 companies under Captain Lewis that stayed behind to garrison Kohat. These 2 companies joined the rest of the regiment in the second campaign, after September 1879, in various works and holding the position at the Peiwar Kotal - including some minor actions against Mangals and Jagis. They returned to India in October 1880 when the Kurram Valley was evacuated. In the kurram Valley the regiment had suffered quite a bit of illness (usually cholera).
Hope this leads you to find out more.
Best -
Garen.
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Garen
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 82
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Hello,
I have decided to start a Yahoo Group for discussion and sharing of knowledge on the Anglo Afghan War 1878-1880 (and anything related). Part of the reason for this is that this is not a widely acknowledged campaign, and those of us with an interest are few and far between. The group will be a way we can keep in touch and let each other know of news, thoughts, ask questions or just discuss anything that comes under the subject heading.
I don't expect it to be a message list that is used heavily, or that grows quickly, but I do think it has the potential to be a fascinating resource and to help interest grow. From my own point of view, I hope it will encourage contributions and information for the Afghan War Database Project (www.angloafghanwar.info), but I also know I can learn from the great wealth of expertise that is out there, as well as answer any questions I may be able to help with. The messages will build a useful archive.
You do not have to be an expert or an academic to join this list. Hobbyists and family historians are most welcome to come and go as they please to seek or contribute information. Membership does not require contribution if you don't wish, as it also acts as a newsletter for www.angloafghanwar.info.
The Yahoo Group can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/angloafghanwar/
My best regards -
Garen.
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Pages: [1] 2 3 4
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The_Bugle-1.jpg