Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80

[Garen]

Hello CAMPaske

I have a portrait of Lt. Mantanaro on my website, it's from The Graphic, March 1880.:

http://www.garenewing.co.uk/angloafghanwar/biography/portraits.php

By the way, Charles Alfred Montanaro Paske (1884-1954) was the nephew of Charles Alfred Montanaro (1855-1879) - Montanaro's sister, Amy, married Col. Henry Gresham Paske in 1876.

All best - Garen

A relative, not an ancestor since he died aged only 23, Charles Alfred Montanaro Paske died in Kabul during the Second Afghan War. This is to add to the memory of a young man who died long ago far from home.

He was born 20th June 1855 and gazetted in 1874. In 1878 he joined No.2 Derajat Mountain Battery, Punjab Frontier Force. On 19th December he was shot in the side at Kabul, the bullet lodging in his spine. He died the next day. He had invented a time-fuze and a Pioneer's saddle, called the 'Montanaro Pattern'.

[Source: web.ukonline.co.uk/ewh.bryan/mont-2.html]

If anyone can add to this information it would be very welcome

[kevinPW]

Hi,

I'm researching George Henry Somerset (aka Lord Raglan) who was mention in despatches during the march to Kandahar. He seems a pretty elusive fella to research and I wonder if anyone has any interesting information on him ? He was the grandson of Lord Raglan of Balaclava fame and went on to be the Governor of the Isle of Man during WW1, but my biggest battle is piecing together his military career/involvement. If anybody can help , I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks for reading...

[Garen]

Hello Kevin

I don't think I can add much in great detail ... he entered the army in 1875 after passing out at Sandhurst and went into the Grenadier Guards. He became lieutenant in Oct 1877 and served in the second phase of the Afghan war as Orderly Officer to Major-General Robert Phayre, mentioned in despatches, as you say, for his service on Phayre's march to Kandahar (not Roberts' more famous march from Kabul to Kandahar, but the Quetta-Kandahar route). At some point (c.1883) he was Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Bombay. He became Captain in 1886 and transferred to the Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Special Reserve), of which he would later (early 1900s?) become Hon. Colonel. He was Under-Secretary for War 1900-02.

Hope there might be something new there!

Best - Garen

[kevinPW]

Hi Garen

Thank you for adding these notes. These facts are relatively common knowledge amongst students but it does show that there is a dearth of information on the man over and above what you've identified.
My interest is focused upon the way men such as Raglan went from the military into a political career and what equipped them to do so.
There's abundant evidence to show it was usually a less than startling idea but seemed a right of passage for many.
I'm appreciative of your putting the time in to provide an answer...

Cheers !

[domburd66]

Hello all

I am new to this site so please forgive me if anything I am inquiring about have already been discussed.

I have long been a collector of Indian postal history and recently I began a sub-collection of military material bearing the crests of regiments both 'anglo' and native regiments serving before Indian independence.

One letter recently came into my possession from an auction of other disparate items which bears the embossed seal of the 1st Bombay Grenadiers. It was written by one (Colonel) C. Griffith to his wife and was begun on 18th Feb 1880. I have only transcribed the first half dozen pages or so (of a total of 25) but so far covers the story of a march to Quetta with Lt. Frank Whittuck, meeting along the way members of Jacob's Rifles and one Colonel Mainwaring. A few place names are mentioned in the course of the letter, namely 'Dhursht' and 'Sie-i-Ab' (?) which I am havng difficulty finding on maps of the campaign. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Mostly, though, I am looking for any biographical information regarding Griffith including his life before and after the campaign - if he survived it.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Dominic

[Garen]

Hello Dominic

That sounds really fascinating.

Col. Griffith is Charles Matthew Griffith (1834-1913) - he saw action in the Afghan war at Ghirisk, Maiwand and Kandahar.

Frank Whittuck I know because I researched him for my database. Here's his entry.

Mainwaring is also a name I recognise from my researches into the southern Afghan theatre, and he is most likely Col. William George Mainwaring (1823-1905) of the 30th BoNI.

I won't tackle the place names just yet as it would help to know which places are mentioned before and after to try and help locate the rough area.

The southern theatre of the Afghan war is something I'm quite interested in and have been collecting resources on for a while, so do feel free to email me if you think I can help further.

All best -
Garen

[Grumpystill]

I have a Second Afghan War Medal awarded to my Great Grandfather Maj. Gen. Clennell Collingwood RA.  I would like to know the regiment in which he served and what part he played in the campaign

[Garen]

Hello Grumpystill

Major-General Collingwood (1836-1903) commanded 5th Battery 11th (5/11) Royal Artillery from the commencement of the war (Nov 1878) until October 1879, when he was succeeded by Captain G M B Hornsby.

In that time the Battery was in Kandahar from Jan 1879, and then back to Quetta in July. They suffered a lot from the intense heat, losing several men and animals to the extremes and also to a bout of cholera (the Quetta-Kandahar route was a punishing one).

I've only had a quick look, so I'm not sure why he left the Battery at Quetta. He entered the Artillery in 1854 and seems to have retired c.1886.

I'll get him added to my database.

Many thanks - Garen

[Grumpystill]

Hi Garen,

Many thanks for the information.  As well as serving in the army Clennell had five sons and three daughters.  All the sons, including my grandfather (the eldest) served in the first world war.  The youngest was killed in 1918.

kind regards

Grumpystill