Author Topic: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80  (Read 218100 times)

Online Garen

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #288 on: Thursday 13 July 17 15:46 BST (UK) »
Hello  I have a good military photo possibly Afgan War Is it possible to post a photo The name of the Soldier is  W McCombie and there is some writing on the back.  One part says CAN BOEL . The Lapel Collar Badges have Bugles on so could be a Bandsman. Also wearing medal on photo (Queen Victoria)  I don't know when this person was born but he is the Great Great Grandfather of a lady who is now in her 80s. Any help much appreciated Pam

Hello Pam

Thank you for sending the photos through. I am posting them and answering here in case others have any insights.

Are you certain that the relative is 'W McCombie', or is that just from the back of the picture? I ask because the only McCombie I can find on the Afghan War medal roll (and this may not be exhaustive) is a J McCombie. I wonder if on the back of the picture it actually says 'Mr McCombie'. Looking at other words, the M and the W of that handwriting are very similar, but the two dots under what appears to be an 'R' might point to 'Mr'.

As for 'Boel' I wonder if that says 'Back' and might be part of the instructions for mounting the image? Other words I can see include 'oval' (scribbled out) and 'wide'.

Anyway, that's definitely an Afghan medal on the front.

J McCombie was in the 85th Foot (later the King's Shropshire Light Infantry) and their badge was a stringed bugle. As it happens, according the medal roll, McCombie was also a bugler! His service no. was a pleasing '1234'.

His service record is available on Find My Past, showing he was John McCombie, born in Acton about 1850, enlisted in Dublin in 1867, was in India from 1868 to 1881 (including Afghan service) and also served in Natal, and was discharged in 1888 at Kilkenny. His mother was Maria McCombie, living in ChristChurch, Hants. There's lots more info on his military history there.

What do you think, could this be your man?

Best -
Garen

Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80 - http://www.angloafghanwar.info
Family research - http://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/

Offline pjg6666

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #289 on: Thursday 13 July 17 16:03 BST (UK) »
Thank you very much.  I did think at first it was Mr. McCombie,   just a couple of family looked and thought it might be  W.  so I think this could be him. I will check out his details from what you have given me. Many thanks again Pam

Online Garen

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #290 on: Thursday 13 July 17 23:35 BST (UK) »
Just looking a little more into this John McCombie for the Afghan War database ... after he was discharged in 1888 he worked at the Woolwich Arsenal as a labourer into the 1900s. The census returns 1891-1911 all show him as single. He died in 1922. Not sure if there was a late marriage and children (or an earlier child out of wedlock) - vital info to see if he is someone's gg-grandfather!

His parents: Robert Burns McCombie and Maria Elsam.

Best - Garen.
Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80 - http://www.angloafghanwar.info
Family research - http://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #291 on: Friday 14 July 17 17:35 BST (UK) »
Many thanks for all your help on John McCombie. Sorry for late reply (was on Night shift at work last night) I will follow up everything. Kind Regards Pam


Offline nick1205

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #292 on: Wednesday 09 August 17 03:00 BST (UK) »
Hi,
He was my great great Grandfather on my Mothers side. He retired a Major General in the Indian Staff Corps and finished his days at 'Maesgwyn' Sleepers Hill, Winchester.
If you can locate that place I would be pleased to hear about your success.
Regards
Nick Smith-Saville

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #293 on: Wednesday 09 August 17 08:42 BST (UK) »
Hello.  Is the John McCombie that died in 1922 Woolwich London the same person referred to in your post.  I am trying to link him to a family where a lady in her 80s thought he was her Great Great Grandfather., but he does not appeared to have married?  Thanks Pam

Online Garen

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #294 on: Wednesday 09 August 17 09:18 BST (UK) »
Hello Nick

I think you must be replying to a post much earlier in the thread (we're up to 30+ pages now!), so if you can provide a few more details, that would be great.

(As a tip - if replying to an older post, you can use the Quote button to show what you're referring to.)

All best - Garen

Hi,
He was my great great Grandfather on my Mothers side. He retired a Major General in the Indian Staff Corps and finished his days at 'Maesgwyn' Sleepers Hill, Winchester.
If you can locate that place I would be pleased to hear about your success.
Regards
Nick Smith-Saville
Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80 - http://www.angloafghanwar.info
Family research - http://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/

Offline Warwick1951

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #295 on: Tuesday 31 October 17 19:11 GMT (UK) »
Hi Garen
My Great Grandfather served in the 59th regiment of Foot and was in Afghanistan from 13 Dec 1878 to the 26 Nov 1880. His name was Charles Horton. He fought in the battle of Ahmed Khel and was awarded an Afghan War medal.I'm not sure if he got the medal for fighting in the war or if it was for some specific action.I have a photo which may have been when he was a lot younger but I"m struggling to identify the uniform he"s wearing.
Regards Ann

Online Garen

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Re: Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80
« Reply #296 on: Thursday 02 November 17 01:11 GMT (UK) »
Hello Ann

Thanks for your message. Charles received the Afghan War medal for participating in the 1878-80 campaign, and a clasp for the battle of Ahmed Khel (19 April 1880).

Please feel free to post the photo with the unknown uniform ...

Best - Garen
Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80 - http://www.angloafghanwar.info
Family research - http://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/