Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80

[Gunner1984]

From Shadbolt's "The Afghan Campaign of 1878-1880 (published 1882)

[swissancestor]

Thank you for this, really does explain the conditions W.R.Lloyd served in and his military medical record which is long, most causes of illness seem to be described as climate. Spent the rest of his days as a gardener.

Thanks again

[Gunner1984]

No problem! The conditions out there were (and still are!) pretty brutal by all accounts. It makes every day life that much more impressive, let alone events like Roberts' Kabul to Kandahar march.

After the barren landscape, the heat and the dust of Afghanistan, a career as a gardener was perhaps a profound choice.

[Gunner1984]

Garen,

Another for the list:

Frank Troward Harvey
Bombardier, 4603
Royal Artillery

Frank Troward Harvey was born in Petham near Canterbury, Kent in January 1851. He was the fifth of seven children born to Marshall, a farmer of 40 acres, and Sarah Ann Harvey (née Cloke). At the time of his enlistment Frank was employed as a Butcher.

On the 4th of October 1870, aged approximately 19 years and 10 months Frank enlisted into the British Army at Shorncliffe Camp, attesting for a total of 12 years with the Colours. After attesting Frank was posted to the Royal Artillery (RA), joining 11th Brigade RA (11 Bde). On the 13th of January 1874 Frank and 11 Bde set sail for India, arriving some 2 months later, and were stationed at Barrackpore. As part of the reorganisation of the Army, 11 Bde were renumbered 4 Bde in c.1877 and Frank was promoted to the rank of Acting Bombardier in May 1878 whilst serving with C Battery, 4th Brigade (C/4).

At the outbreak of hostilities with Afghanistan in the autumn of 1878, C/4 were stationed at Meerut and were ordered to Rawalpindi, where for the next few months it formed part of the Reserve Division of the Kurram Valley Field Force. Frank was promoted to Bombardier on the 1st of December 1878. The following March, the battery was moved up to the frontier and into hostile territory, leaving three guns, en-route, at Kohat. On the 12th of May the advanced half-battery arrived at Kurram, where it remained throughout the remainder of the first campaign. C/4 served through the second campaign with the Kurram Division, until the final evacuation of the Valley. By the end of September 1879, one half-battery had been pushed on to the advanced post of Ali Khel, the other remaining temporarily at Kurram. On the 14th of October. the former was engaged at Ali Khel in the repulse of the determined attack made by the Mangals on that post, contributing materially to their defeat. Broken up into divisions, the battery served for the remainder of the campaign at various posts extending from Kurram to Ali Khel, taking part in the various expeditions conducted into the surrounding country. On the evacuation of the Kurram Valley, C/4, recrossed the frontier, and eventually proceeded to Lahore

In September 1880, Frank re-engaged for a total of 21 years and transferred to 1 Bde on the 1st of December 1880 with whom he would spend the rest of his time in India. Two months later, at his own request, Frank reverted to the rank of Gunner before returning to England in November 1884. Upon his return Frank was transferred to the Coast Bde RA and was posted to Portsmouth.

Frank was discharged at his own request on the 30th of October 1888, having served a total of 18 years and 25 days in the Army.

Shortly before his discharge, Frank married Margaret Teresa (née Doherty) in July 1888 and they had one daughter, Sarah Ann, who was born in April 1890. Margaret died in 1903 and Frank, who was working as a carpenter, was remarried in May 1906 to Kate Frances Roper.

Frank died in April 1925 at the age of 74.

[Gunner1984]

John Coxson
Gunner, 3156
Royal Artillery

John Coxson was born in August 1850 in Bath, Somerset. He was the eldest of three children born to general labourer and brewer William, and Ann Coxson. After leaving school and aged 15 whilst working as a labourer, John was convicted of “throwing stones” and sentenced to 7 days in Shepton Mallet gaol or to pay a fine of 11 shillings and sixpence.

According to the Royal Hospital Chelsea pensioner admission records, John enlisted into the British Army approximately one month prior to his 18th birthday, in July of 1868, and joined the Royal Artillery (RA). Whilst his service records have not survived, it is known that John was posted to India where he served with 15 Battery, 9 Brigade (15/9) RA during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For the majority of the war, John and 15/9 were stationed in Lahore and Karachi. This changed in the summer of 1880.

Following the disastrous British defeat at the Battle of Maiwand on the 27th of July 1880, and the subsequent Afghan siege of the city of Kandahar, a division was organised at Quetta under the command of Major-General Phayre. His artillery included 43 Officers and men, including John, of 15/9; a mountain battery armed with either older 7lb or the new 2.5 inch “screw guns” made famous by Rudyard Kipling’s poem. Unfortunately, this force was delayed by a lack of troops and transport, and after toiling through Bolan Pass at the height of the Afghan summer, they finally crossed the frontier on the 16th of August 1880. When they were a mere thirty miles from Kandahar, they received word that the siege of the city had been lifted by General Roberts’ relief force that had marched from Kabul.

With the war ending shortly thereafter, John and 15/9 returned to India and Karachi. In 1882, as part of a reorganisation of the British Army, 15/9 RA was retitled 9 Battery, 1 Brigade, Scottish Division RA, based in Quetta and then Bombay. The battery returned to England between September 1885 and July 1886. Having completed 18 years’ service, in November 1886 John was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal, and was presented his award by HRH Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. John was discharged from the Army in June 1889, having served for a total of 21 years, including 15 years and 3 months in India and Afghanistan.

On the 8th of April 1889, John married Sarah Ann Robbins from Stoke St Michael, at St James’ parish church in Bath. They had four children: Amy Florence (b.1892), Edith Maude (b.23rd of September 1893), John Albert (b.4th of July 1895), and Harry Roberts (b.15th of June 1900).

Their son, John Albert Coxson, was an apprentice bootmaker and served with the 2/4 and 1/4 Battalions Somerset Light Infantry as part of the Territorial Force during the First World War. He saw service in India and Mesopotamia, reaching the rank of Lance Corporal and was disembodied on the 13th of May 1919.

John lived in Bath for the remainder of his life, working as a porter for a furniture dealer and an auctioneer. He died on the 8th of March 1936 aged 85. John is buried in St James’ cemetery in Bath alongside his wife Sarah (d.12th of February 1948) and son John Albert (d.17th of August 1952).

[Gunner1984]

Walter Stone
Sergeant, 6446
Royal Artillery

Walter Stone was born in the village of Wickham Market, near Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1846. After leaving school, Walter was employed as a labourer and was also a member of the East Suffolk Artillery Militia. On the 22nd of August 1867 at the age of 21, Walter enlisted into the British Army at Ipswich, signing up for 12 years’ service. Four days later he attested into the Royal Artillery (RA), initially being posted to 3rd Division Depot Brigade for two months.

Having completed his initial training Walter was transferred to 2nd Division Depot Brigade and set sail for India where he would serve for the next 13 years. On arrival he was subsequently posted to the Lucknow based 8th Brigade (8 Bde) RA on New Years’ Day 1868. Walter was promoted to the rank of Bombardier in August 1875 and in April the following year, having served nearly nine of his 12-year contract, he re-engaged for a total of 21 years. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to Corporal in July 1876. Under the ongoing reorganisation of the British Army, 8 Bde was renumbered as 3 Bde in July 1877, and Walter was part of E Battery, 3 Bde (E/3) with whom he saw active service during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

Throughout the war, E/3 formed part of the 1st Division, Peshawar Valley Field Force under the command of General Sir Samuel Browne. Brigaded with the 2nd Infantry Brigade, the battery advanced with the Division from Jamrud on the 21st of November 1878, and took part in the battle of Ali Musjid, directly attacking the fort and the enemy defensive works. Following the British victory, on the advance of the division on the 23rd of November, E/3 were left behind with the 4th Infantry Brigade in charge of the camp at Ali Musjid. It subsequently moved up through the Khyber Pass, and during the remainder of the first campaign did duty at various posts extending to Gandamak and including Daka and Jalalabad. On the 8th of December 1878, shortly after the Battle of Ali Musjid, Walter was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Walter was tried and reduced to the rank of Gunner in April 1880.

On the recall of the troops after the conclusion of peace, it was one of the first batteries to commence the toilsome return march to India, eventually making its way to Campbellpur after suffering severely from the excessive heat of the season and the pestilential climate of the country traversed. On the renewal of hostilities in the Autumn of 1879, E/3 was ordered up from Campbellpur to Kohat, and throughout the ensuing campaign served in divisions at that station, at Thal, and at various outposts, as a unit of the Kuram Division. Shortly after the final withdrawal of troops to India, the battery was ordered home and then to Woolwich in February 1881.

Walter was promoted to Acting Bombardier in May 1881 before again being tried and reduced in September 1881. Under further Army reorganisation, 3 Bde was renumbered 4 Bde in April 1882 and Walter was promoted back to the rank of Bombardier in January 1883. In May 1883 whilst stationed in Curragh Camp, Kildare in Ireland, Walter was once again tried and found guilty by Court Martial, again being punished with demotion. Having been reduced to the rank of Gunner for a third time, Walter was discharged from the Army on the 3rd of July 1883. He has served a total of 15 years, 297 days with the Colours.

[Gunner1984]

William Biggs
Driver, 6200
Royal Artillery

William Biggs was born in 1845 in Brampton near Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire. William’s father died before he turned 14, and his mother Mary was a nurse. William, who was working as a goods driver, enlisted into the Army on the 3rd of July 1863, attesting into the Royal Artillery (RA). Initially enlisting for 12 years, William lied on his paperwork, neglecting to declare he was currently engaged in the county Militia, and failing to gain permission to join the regular Army.

William’s service was marked by ill-discipline. Between 1865 and 1867 he was tried and imprisoned three times including, unusually, by the civilian courts for theft, serving nearly six months in prison. Following his release, William was deployed to India, arriving in December 1867, and was transferred to C Battery, 8th Brigade (C/8 Bde) RA. Unfortunately, his conduct remained poor, going AWOL twice in 1872. Despite this, William re-engaged for a total of 21 years’ service in November 1874 before he was again imprisoned in 1876 and from July to December 1878. Immediately upon his release, William re-joined his battery which had been deployed on active service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

In July 1877, 8 Bde had been renumbered 3 Bde and, on the 5th of October 1878, in view of the impending outbreak of hostilities with Afghanistan, C/3 left Jalandhar for the front, and after a march of around 450 miles joined General Samuel Browne’s Field Force at Peshawar. From the 22nd of December 1878 until the 25th of March 1879, the battery was stationed at Jamrud, after which it moved up through the Khyber Pass to Daka, where it remained until the conclusion of the first campaign. At the latter end of April C/3 took part in the battle at Kam Daka, assisting in rescuing 150 men of the Mhairwara Battalion, from being overrun. On the 3rd of June 1879, the battery commenced its return march to India, suffering en-route, and at Peshawar, from a severe outbreak of cholera which killed 23 men out of a total battery strength of 110 in just six weeks.

On the renewal of hostilities in September 1879, C/3 was one of the first batteries sent back across the frontier. Marching again through the Khyber Pass, it was now broken up into divisions, two guns being left at Basawal, two advancing to Jalalabad, and two to Gandamak. On General Bright’s arrival at Gandamak with a battery of Horse Artillery, the two guns at that advanced post re-joined the division at Jalalabad. During the winter months the battery took part in many minor expeditions which, though necessitating a good deal of severe marching, invariably resulted in the enemy coming to terms without offering armed resistance.

In December 1879, William returned to India and, the following April, on to England. He transferred to E/6 on the 1st of March 1881, which was renumbered E/1 in July of the same year and was posted to Woolwich. After 15 years of service, William was appointed to the rank of Acting Bombardier in May 1882, before finally promoting to Bombardier on the 26th of August 1883. Having served his 21 years with the Colours, William was granted permission to remain serving, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on the 19th of January 1886. He was finally discharged at Aldershot on the 2nd of November 1886, having served a total of 23 years and 99 days.

William married Matilda Beal (b.1861) on the 20th of December 1884 at Farnham, Surrey. They had a total of seven children, six of who survived childhood: William Ernest (b.1886); Herbert George (b.1889); Laura May (b.1892); E.Eliza (b.1895); Charles Sidney (b.1896); and Laurence (b.1898). According to the 1911 Census, William was retired and living in Leicester on his Army pensioner and Matilda was working as a Charwoman in a workhouse infirmary.

[Gunner1984]

George John Thomas Westlake Wootten
Bombardier, 589
Royal Horse Artillery & Army Pay Corps

George John Thomas Westlake Wootten was born in Dorchester, Dorset in July 1852. He was the eighth child of Richard, a Coachmaker, and Eliza both from London. Baptised in August 1852 at Cerne Abbas in Dorset, in the 1861 Census George is recorded as living with his Uncle John and Aunt Sarah Shepard in Cerne Abbas whilst his parents were living in London. It is unclear whether George ever saw his birth family again, but in 1871 George had moved to London and was lodging in Bermondsey and working as a leather merchant.

On the 17th of May 1875, George enlisted into the British Army, giving his name as George Westlake and stating that he was a clerk, born in Exmouth, Devon in 1853. He joined the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) and was posted to the RHA Riding Establishment in Woolwich for his initial training. On the 1st of December 1876, having completed his training, George was transferred to B Brigade (B Bde) RHA and was deployed to India, arriving on the 31st of January 1877. Once in India, George was transferred to D Battery, A Bde (D/A) in July 1877 with whom he would see action in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

On the 15th of October 1878, D/A marched from Mirat where it was then stationed, for Peshawar. On arrival at Rawal Pindi however, directions were received for it to proceed to Campbellpur, and there await further orders. Detailed to the newly constituted Peshawar Valley Field Force, the battery left that station on the 18th of November for Naushahra, and from there subsequently continued its march to Peshawar and Jamrud, where the HQ of the Division were eventually located. On the 19th of December 1878 two guns of the battery, mounted on elephants, marched from Jamrud to take part in the first Bazar Valley expedition. The left division of the battery was subsequently employed in the second Bazar Valley expedition, marching from Jamrud on the 24th of January and returning on the 4th of February 1879. At the latter end of March 1879, the battery was moved up to Basawal, where it remained until after the conclusion of the first campaign. On the 1st of May, George was appointed to the rank of Acting Bombardier before the battery began it commenced its return march to India on the 5th of June, recrossing the frontier four days later and moved into quarters at Peshawar.

George was promoted to Bombardier in September before receiving orders on the 14th of December 1879 to march to the Khyber to reinforce General Bright’s Division. D/A left Peshawar on the following day, and made its way to Jalalabad, remaining halted ten days en route at Landi Kotal, and leaving two guns at Basawal. On the 13th of January 1880, in response to a reported attempt by the enemy to cross the Kabul River at Ali Boghan, two guns were suddenly ordered out under an escort of two squadrons of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) to prevent this movement, and effectually succeeded in doing so. After twenty-two rounds had been fired by the guns at various ranges, the enemy dispersed. On the 29th of January 1880, the battery marched back to Basawal, and continued to do duty along the Khyber line of communications until its return to India on the 4th of April 1880.

Stationed at Rawal Pindi for the next few years, George was promoted to Corporal in April 1881 and to Sergeant just six weeks later. In May 1883, after six years and 153 days overseas, George returned to England and was transferred to the Depot Bde RHA, before joining the Regimental District Staff in October 1883. A year later, on the 22nd of October 1884, George was transferred to 3rd Bde, Northern Division RA on promotion to the rank of Battery Sergeant Major. Based in Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, George would remain in the North-East for the remainder of his military career. Fast approaching the end of his 12 years with the Colours, in September 1886 George re-engaged to complete a total of 21 years’ service and was again promoted in October 1887 to the rank of Quarter-Master Sergeant.

On the 20th of August 1890, George transferred to the Corps of Military Staff Clerks, which would become the Army Pay Corps in April 1893, and was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 1894. After successfully applying to extend his service beyond 21 years, George was finally discharged from the Army on the 17th of May 1899, exactly 24 years after enlisting.

George married Edinburgh born Grace Stirling Russell (b.26th of June 1862) in Berwick-upon-Tweed on the 6th of December 1887. They had no children but remained living in Northumberland for the rest of their lives. In the 1901 Census, George is recorded as a school Attendance Officer and Army pensioner living in Morpeth, moving back to Berwick-upon-Tweed on his final retirement.

It is unclear whether George deliberately enlisted under a false name, possibly due to estrangement from his birth family, or whether it was a clerical error. Perhaps telling is that his recorded Next of Kin, prior to marriage were an aunt and a cousin, despite his father still being alive and recorded in the 1881 Census. Whatever the reason, by the time of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, he is listed on the medal roll as “G. Westlake Wootten” and his military records amended.

George died on the 22nd of September 1929 aged 77. His widow Grace remained in Berwick-upon-Tweed until her death of the 20th of June 1940.

[Gunner1984]

Richard Gibson
Bombardier, 1906
Royal Artillery

Richard Gibson was born in Saintfield, County Down in early 1847. He was a general labourer and enlisted into the British Army on the 21st of January 1867 at Newtownards, attesting for the Royal Artillery (RA) the following day in Belfast, signing up for 12 years’ service.

Following his enlistment, Richard was posted to the Depot Brigade for six months to undergo his basic military training. Having completed his training, Richard was sent to join 9 Battery, 3 Brigade RA (9/3) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with whom he would serve throughout his career. He remained in Canada until November 1870 when 9/3 were posted to Jamaica for another two years, returning home to England in December 1872.

The early years of Richard’s time in the Army were marked by ill-discipline: He was married without leave on the 13th of October 1869 when serving in Canada; he was imprisoned between November 1870 and January 1871; and was fined for being absent four times between June 1872 and February 1875.

Having returned to England in 1872, 9/3 were renumbered 5 (Mountain) Battery, 8 Brigade (5/8) in July 1877 and would remain on service at home until they were again deployed overseas to India in November 1878. Although the Second Anglo-Afghan War broke out in November 1878, 5/8 did not see active service until August 1880. In the meantime, Richard re-engaged to complete 21 years’ service with the Colours and was promoted to the rank of Bombardier in February 1880.

Following the battery’s return from its brief service in Afghanistan, Richard was again promoted to the rank of Corporal in March 1881, before the battery was renamed 9 (Mountain) Battery, 1 Brigade, Cinque Ports Division RA (9/1) in April 1882. Shortly afterwards, in August the same year, Richard reverted to the rank of Gunner at his own request. He was again promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant in October 1885 and September 1886 respectively. During this period 9/1 and Richard were involved in operations in Burma following the Third Burmese War.

Just a year after being promoted to Sergeant, in September 1887, Richard was tried and reduced to the rank of Gunner. With his 21 years’ service nearly complete, Richard left India aboard HMS Malabar on the 14th of January 1888, arriving in England a month later, on the 9th of February. He was finally discharged from the Army at Woolwich on the 3rd of April 1888 having served for 21 years and 5 days.

Although his wife Elizabeth is listed as his Next of Kin, there is no record of her being brought onto the married establishment or ever leaving Nova Scotia. Richard’s intended residence on discharge was in his hometown of Newtownards, County Down. The 1901 and 1911 Irish Census shows records Richard as ‘Single’ and living with his sister, Jane, and her children.