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Armed Forces / Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« on: Thursday 01 September 16 19:58 BST (UK) »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.
James Downie, son of George Downie and Catherine Fraser, born Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire 26 September 1855, died Mar 1928 Campsie, Stirlingshire, probably served in the 72nd Regiment of Foot in the Battle of Kandahar, according to his obituary:
"Kirkintilloch Gazette Friday 20 April 1928 page 2
The mystery of the disappearance of James Downie, farm servant, Inchbreck, who was last seen on March 12, was solved by the finding of his body on Wednesday afternoon in the Kelvin at Torrance. Downie, who was 72, was for 12 years in the Seaforth Highlanders and took part in Roberts’ march to Kandahar. "
I reached this forum as the first step in researching his military history and would appreciate any help anyone can give me concerning James's part in the second Anglo-Afghan War. He was back in Kirkintilloch in the 1891 Census, working as a carter with his father, so could not have been 12 years in the Seaforths as they were formed only in 1881, However he would probably have transferred to the Seaforths on their formation and probably joined the 72nd before they went to Afghanistan in 1878. I presume that he was no more than a private.