Afghanistan 1878-80

British Infantry

2/7th Foot (Royal Fusiliers)

Major Thomas Burton Vandaleur - Wounded at Deh Khoja, 16th August 1880. died 26th August

2nd Lieutenant Everard Swaine Marsh
Killed at Deh Khoja, 16th August 1880.
Second son of Rev. William Marsh. He was born 8th June 1858 in Essex. He joined the West Essex militia in 1877 and Sandhurst in 1878. He was gazetted in 1879 and joined his regiment in Bombay. He was killed trying to help 2nd Lieut. Wood, who had been wounded.
Memorial at St. Marys Church, Wethersfield, Essex - "The adjoining window was erected to the memory of Everard Swaine Marsh, aged 22, second son of Rev. William Marsh of the Manor House, Wethersfield. Lieutenant in the 7th Royal Fusiliers; killed in the sortie from Kandahar whilst gallantly carrying a wounded brother officer, August 16 1880."

2nd Lieutenant Frederick Philip Forester Wood
Killed at Deh Khoja, 16th August 1880.
Elder son of Rev. Frederic Wood and Emily Pratt. He was born 13th March 1857. After Sandhurst he was gazetted to the 76th Foot in 1878. He then exchanged to the 2/7th Royal Fusiliers in Bombay. He had led a bayonet charge and was shot 5 times, 2nd Lieut. Marsh attempted to rescue him but was also killed.
Memorial at St. Marys Church, Ewarton, Suffolk - "In memory of Fredk. Philip Foster Wood Lieutenant 7th Royal Fusiliers. Elder son of the Reverend Frederick Wood Rector of Edwarton with Woolverstone and Emily his wife. killed in action at Kandahar in Afghanistan August 16th 1880 aged 23 years. This tablet has been erected by friends and neighbours as a token of their esteem and regret for his early death and of sympathy with his sorrowing family."

1/17th Foot

Lieutenant Nicholas Cuthbert Wiseman
Killed at Fatehabad 2nd April 1879.
He purchased a commission in 1861 and was killed while capturing an enemy standard at Futtehabad.

51t Foot (King's Own Light Infantry)

2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Smith Thurlow
Killed near Jagdalak 22nd March 1880.
Third son of George Thurlow, of Suffolk. He was born 23rd July 1858. After Sandhurst he was gazetted to the 58th Foot in 1878. Wishing to go to India he transferred to the 51st Foot. He was shot and killed by bandits while riding to a post near Jagdalak.

66th Foot - (10 officers and 272 men were killed at Maiwand)

Lieutenant-Colonel James Galbraith
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Fifth son of Samuel and Susannah, of Co. Tyrone. After Sandhurst he was gazetted in 1851 with the 66th Foot and served in Canada and East India. He commanded the 66th at Girishk in 1880 and died at Maiwand, he was seen kneeling with a Colour in one hand rallying the men for a last stand.

Captain Francis James Cullen
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Fourth son of Francis Cullen, of Corry, Co. Leitrim. Born in Corry, 7th September 1844, educated at Sandhurst, gazetted to the 1st West India Regiment in 1865. After service in Jamaica and Africa he joined the 66th Foot in India and was killed at Maiwand.


Captain Ernest Stephen Garratt
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Eldest son of Rev. Samuel and Loetitia Garratt. He was born 28th September 1845. In 1865 he was commissioned in the 66th Foot. He was shot in the head and killed at Maiwand.

Captain Walter Roberts
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Third son of Major-General Howland Roberts (HEICS). He was born at Haiderabad. Educated at Cheltenham College and Sandhurst, he was gazetted to the 3rd West India Regiment in 1865. After serving in West Africa and West Indies his Regiment was disbanded in 1870 and he exchanged to the 66th Foot. He was wounded at Maiwand and died during the battle.

Lieutenant Richard Trevor Chute
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Youngest son of Richard Chute, of Chute Hall, Co. Kerry. He was born in Kerry on 17th September 1856 and commissioned in 1877. He was among the men who made the last stand at Maiwand.

Lieutenant Maurice Edward Rayner
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Second son of Lloyd Rayner, a Liverpool merchant. He was born 16th September 1857. In 1875 he was commissioned in the 66th Foot. He was badly wounded during the battle and his body was found by the garden where the last stand took place.
Memorial at Harrow School Chapel -
"In memory of Maurice Edward Rayner Lieut & Adjutant 66th Regt fell at Nakud Afghanistan. Born Sep 16 1857 Died Jul 27 1880."

2nd Lieutenant Henry James Barr
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Youngest son of Lieutenant-General Barr, Bombay Staff Corps. He was born in Brighton, 7th January 1861. He trained for the Indian Civil Service but then decided to join the army. After Sandhurst he joined the 66th Foot in January 1880. He was shot dead while carrying the Colour at Maiwand.


2nd Lieutenant Arthur Honywood
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Fourth son of Sir Courtenay Honywood and Anne Paynter, of London. He was born in 1860 and after Sandhurst was gazetted to the 66th Foot in 1879. He was shot in the leg early in the battle of Maiwand and went to the garden where he was killed defending the Queen's Colour in the final stand.
Memorial at St. James Church, Elmsted, Kent - "To the dear memory of Arthur Honywood, Lieut. 66th Regt. 4th son of Sir Courtenay Honywood of Evington Place. Killed at the age of 19 while carrying the Queen's Colour at the Battle of Maiwand, Afghanistan July 27th 1880 when already badly wounded he held the colours above his head and called on the men to rally with the words - What shall we do to save these - the next moment the fatal shot came. This widow is erected by his loving relations."

2nd Lieutenant Walter Rice Olivey
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Second son of Lieut-Colonel W. Olivey (Chief Paymaster, Army Pay Dept.) and Elizabeth Goodfellow. He was born 19th March 1860 in Sydney, New South Wales. After Sandhurst he was gazetted to the 66th Foot in 1879. He was badly wounded early in the battle while holding the Queen's Colour but refused to give it up. He was last seen in the garden still defending the Colours. His brother, Capt. Herbert Edward Olivey, Suffolk Regt, was killed in Somaliland in 1903.
Memorial at St. Mylors Church, Mylor, Cornwall - "In loving memory of Walter Rice Olivey, Lieut. 66th Regt. son of Lieut.Col. W.R. Olivey, Army Pay Department, who was killed while carrying the Queen's Colour of his regiment at the Battle of Maiwand, Afghanistan, on the 27th July 1880, aged 20."

72nd Highlanders

Colonel Francis Brownlow
Killed at Kandahar 1st September 1880.
Eldest son of William and Charlotte, he was born 19 July 1836. He joined the 72nd Highlanders as an Ensign in 1854 and served in the Crimea. In 1857 he went with his Regiment to the Indian Mutiny. He married Effie Constance in 1878. He was killed at Kandahar, 1st Sept. 1880.

Captain St. John Thomas Frome
Killed at Kandahar 1st September 1880.
Only son of General Frome, Royal Engineers, and Jane Light. Joined the 72nd Regt. in 1861 and served at Peiwar Kotal (mentioned in despatches) and Charasiah, Kabul and the march to Kandahar. He was killed leading his men in the battle at Kandahar.

Captain Nathaniel James Spens
Killed at Kabul 14th December 1879. Third son of Nathaniel Spens, of Fife, and Janet Guild. He was born 3rd March 1845 and gazetted to the 72nd Highlanders in 1864. He was killed during the storming of the Asmai heights and buried at Sherpur, the pipers playing 'Lochaber no more' as he was lowered to his grave. Sir Frederick Roberts wrote to his family that had he lived he would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross.


Lieutenant Cecil Henry Gaisford
Killed at Kabul 14th December 1879. Eldest son of Lieut-Colonel Gaisford (72nd Highlanders). He was born at Galway, 20th September 1856 and was gazetted in 1876. In 1874 he been awarded the Royal Humane Society medal for gallantry in saving life. He fought at Peiwar Kotal in 1878 and at Charasiah in 1879. On 14 December he led a company in the storming of the Asmai heights when he was killed. He was buried at Sherpur.

92nd Foot (Gordon Highlanders)

Lieutenant St. John William Forbes
Killed at Kabul 13th December 1879.
Third son of Lieut-Colonel John Forbes and Lucy Whitmore. He was born at Malvern Link, 20th January 1856. Gazetted 1873 to the 72nd Highlanders. He joined the 92nd for the Afghan campaign and was at Ali Khel in 1879. He was at Charasiah, Kabul and the expedition to Maidan. On 13th Dec. he led his men to the summit of Takht-i-Shah and was protecting the body of Colour-Sergeant James Drummond when he was shot through the head.

Indian Infantry

8th Bengal Native Infantry

Jemadar Bahadar Khan - killed at Kam Dakka - 15th January 1880

21st (Punjab) Bengal Native Infantry

Subedar Bhagel Sing - killed at Badesh-Khel - 28th June 1879

23rd (Punjab) Bengal Native Infantry (Pioneers)

Major Alexander Dunlop Anderson
Killed at Peiwar Kotal 2nd December 1878. Killed while leading skirmishers against and advanced enemy position. The third son of Dr. A. Dunlop Anderson, a doctor in Glasgow and ex-surgeon of the 49th Foot. He was born 3rd Feb. 1841 in Glasgow and was educated at Cheltenham College. 1858 commissioned. Served in Abyssinia in 1868 and was mentioned in despatches. He was buried in a grave with Captain Kelso, Royal Artillery, in the Peiwar range.

27th (Punjab) Bengal Native Infantry

Major Henry Holwell Birch
Killed at Ali Musjid 21st November 1878. Youngest son of Lieut-Colonel F.W. Birch (41st Foot), who was killed in the Indian Mutiny in 1857. He was born in India 2nd September 1837. After school in England he was in India during the Mutiny and served in the Defence of the Residency at Lucknow. He served with 27th B.N.I. in China in 1861 and in the Lushai expedition 1871-2 and Jowaki in 1877. At Ali Musjid on the 21st Nov. 1878 he went forward to assist a wounded Officer of the 14th Sikhs and was shot through the heart.
His body was taken to Peshawar for burial -
"Sacred to the memory of Major Henry Holwell Birch. Bengal Staff Corps. who fell on 21 November 1878 when in command of the 27th Punjab Infantry and gallantly leading an assault on the enemy's redoubts in front of Ali Musjid in the Khyber Pass."

Lieutenant Thomas Otho Fitzgerald
Killed at Ali Musjid 21st November 1878. Son of the 'Knight of Glin', he was born at Glin Castle, Co. Limerick 23rd February 1849. After Sandhurst he gazetted in 1869 to the 19th Foot. After entering the Bengal Staff Corps he joined the 27th Punjab Infantry and served in the Jowaki expedition 1877-8. His regiment took part in the attack on Ali Musjid and was shot though the chest while attending to a fallen officer. His body was buried at Peshawar 3 days later.
Memorial at Peshawar -
"Sacred to the memory of Lieut. T. Otto Fitzgerald 27th Punjab Infantry who was killed at Ali Musjid on the 21st November 1878 When he was endevouring to recover the body of his Commanding Officer Major Birch."

31st (Punjab) Bengal Native Infantry


Lieutenant Frederick Canning Cortlandt Angelo
Killed at Fort Battye 26th March 1880. Only son of Lieut. Frederick Angelo, 16th Grenadiers, Bengal Army (who was killed at Cawnpore in June1857). He was born 21 September 1857 in Calcutta. After Sandhurst he was gazetted in 1874. He was killed during the defence of Fort Battye.

45th (Rattray's Sikhs) Bengal Native Infantry

Lieutenant Francis Miles Barclay
Wounded at Maidanak, 17 March 1879. died, Landi Kotal, 1 April. Sixth son of Surgeon-General Charles Barclay, Madras Army. Born in 1855 at Quilon, Southern India. Joined the army in 1875 and qualified for the Political Department. On the 17th March 1879 he was commanding an escort for a surveying party under Captain Leach, Royal Engineers, when the group was attacked. Barclay was shot in the shoulder, the bullet penetrating his lung. He died several days later. For rescuing the wounded Barclay, Capt. Leach was awarded the Victoria Cross.

5th Gurkah Regiment

Major John Cook, V.C.
Wounded at Kabul, 12th December 1879. died at Sherpur, 19th December. Second son of Alexander Cook, a Scottish Advocate and Sheriff. He was born in Edinburgh in August 1843. After Addiscombe he joined the 3rd Sikhs and was mentioned in despatches for leading a bayonet charge during the Umbeyla campaign. In 1873 he joined the 5th Goorkhas. Awarded the VC for Peiwar Kotal, 2nd December 1878. At Kabul he fought alongside his brother, Lieutenant Walter Cook, 3rd Sikhs and was shot in the chest.
Plaque in St. Lukes Church, Abbottabad -
"In memory of Major John Cook, VC 5th Goorkhas who died on 19th December 1879 of a wound received near Cabul. This tablet is erected by his brother officers, as a token of respect for his character as a man and their admiration of his great courage as a soldier."


Captain Charles Folliott Powell
Wounded at Sapari Pass, 13th December 1878. died 18th December. Youngest son of Captain Scott Powell (23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers). He was born in 1844 and gazetted to the 96th Foot in 1864. Joining the Bengal Staff Corps he was posted to the 5th Goorkhas. On the march from Ali Khel to Fort Kuram, he was with the baggage guard, which was attacked on the 13th December 1878. He was wounded and died five days later.

Subadar-Major Bhageeram Gurung - killed in an explosion at Bala Hissar 14th October 1879

Bengal Commissariat Department

Lieutenant Edmund Palmer
Wounded at Hisarak, 14th April 1880. died 15th April. Eldest son of Lieut-Colonel Edmund Palmer, Royal Artillery. He was born 10th February 1851 in St. Helena. After Sandhurst he was commissioned in the 1st Buffs in 1870. He joined the Bengal Staff Corps and in 1875 was posted to the 41st Bengal N.I. He was wounded at Hisarak and died the next day.

Bengal Medical Service

Surgeon Ambrose Hamilton Kelly
Killed at Kabul 3rd September 1879. Eldest son of William Kelly, of Dublin. He was born 30th September 1845 and studied medicine and surgery in Dublin. In 1869 he was commissioned to the Bengal Medical Service and served in the Lushai expedition. He was posted to the 1st Punjab Infantry in 1872. He was selected to join the Embassy to Kabul and was killed during the defence of the Residency.

Surgeon William Beatty Smyth
Murdered at Chapri 25th June 1879. Third son of William Smyth, of Strabane. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he was an award winning scholar. In 1877 he was commissioned to the Indian Medical Service and joined the 8th Bengal N.I. In 1878 he was posted to No.7 Co. Bengal Sappers and Miners. At Chapri he was murdered by a thief who he had chased from his tent in the night.

Corps of Guides Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force

Subadar Jowala Sing - wounded at Kabul, 14th December 1879. died 18th December.

Subadar Rup Sing - killed at Kabul 14th December 1879

Jemadar Jung Bahadur - wounded at Kabul, 23rd December 1879. died 24th December.

Jemadar Mehtab Sing - killed at Kabul 3rd September 1879

1st Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force


Captain Howe Frederick Showers
Killed between Chappar and Quetta 14th March 1880. Eldest son of Major-General Sir George Showers. In 1861 he was gazetted to the 104th Fusiliers in India. In 1872 he transferred to the 1st Punjab N.I. He was then appointed to the Intelligence Department and was in the habit of riding with a few men along unknown tracks to prepare plans. While riding between Chappar and Quetta he was killed on 14th March 1880.

4th Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force

Lieutenant Thomas John O'Dwyer Renny
Wounded at Zaimukht, 14th December 1879. died 15th December. Third son of Colonel Robert Renny, CB (Bengal Staff Cops) and Caroline Franklin. He was born 15th August 1846 at Masuri, in the Himalayas. In 1868 he was commissioned to the 36th Foot. After studying languages he joined the Bengal Staff Corps and was posted to the 4th Punjab N.I. He was badly wounded while forcing the Zawa Pass and died the next day. He was buried at Kohat.

5th Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force

Subadar-Major Aziz Khan Bahadur - wounded at Peiwar, 28th November 1878. died 5th January 1879.

Jemadar Khani Mulla - killed at Charasiah 6th October 1879

Hyderabad Contingent

Captain Frederick Theophilus Goad
Wounded at Sapari Pass, 13th Dec. 1878. died 14th December. Second son of Major Samuel Goad (3rd Bengal Cavalry) and Emma Davidson. He was born 25th August 1842 at Simla and educated in England. He was gazetted to the 72nd Highlanders in 1861, joined the 45th Foot and served in Abyssinia. In 1865 he entered the Bengal Staff Corps and was with the Hyderabad Contingent, serving as 2nd in Command of the 5th Infantry Regiment. In 1877 he married Katherine Elsdale. He was in charge of a baggage train going from Ali Khel to Fort Kuram when it was attacked. He was shot in the legs and his left leg was amputated. He died the next day and was buried near Kuram Fort.

1st Bombay Native Infantry

Lieutenant Charles William Hinde
Killed at Maiwand - 27th July 1880. Adjutant of the regiment, he was killed at Maiwand. Son of Major-General John Hinde, CB (8th Foot).
Memorial at
Powick church, Worcestershire - "In loving memory of Lt. & Adjt. Charles William Hinde, 1st Bombay Grenadiers, second son of Major Genl. Hinde, CB & Frances his wife, who was killed in action at Maiwand, Afghanistan on the 27th July 1880, in the 31st year of his age. He died as he had always lived, in the faithful execution of his duty."

Lieutenant Clement George Whitby
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Eldest son of Dr. Whitby, of Leamington. He was born in 1854 and educated at Wellington and then Keble College, Oxford. In 1874 he was commissioned in the 17th Foot. He then joined the Bombay Staff Corps and was posted to the 4th Bombay N.I. He founded the 'Kandahar News' and wrote for the 'Times of India'. He commanded the baggage guard at Maiwand and after fighting off two attacks he joined the survivors of the battle heading for Kandahar. When within sight of the walls he was shot in the head and killed.

Subadar-Major Bhewa Pallow - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Subadar Hurree Purrub - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Subadar Ragnac Mhadnac - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Subadar Shaik Hoosain - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Jemadar Budun Sing - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Jemadar Gungadeen Tumbolee - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Jemadar Lalla Doolichund - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Jemadar Narayan Lode - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

16th Bombay Native Infantry

Lieutenant Henry William Seymour - killed at Kach - 16th August 1880
Listed as killed, but another source states 'wounded at Kach'.

19th Bombay Native Infantry

Major Richard John Le Poer Trench
Killed at Deh Khojah 16th August 1880. Youngest son of Rev. John Trench. He was born in 1843 in Ireland and educated at Cheltenham College. Gazetted to the 24th Bombay N.I. in 1859. He was appointed Quartermaster to the 19th Bombay N.I. and killed at Deh Khoja when shot in the back of the head.

Major Sidney James Waudby
Killed at Dabrai 16th April 1880. Son of Rev. W. Waudby. He was born in 1840 at Kentish Town and commissioned in 1858 to the 19th Bombay N.I. He was a keen hunter in India. In 1875 he married Mary Attwood. He was commanding a small post at Dabrai when it was attacked by 300 enemy natives. His small group of defenders held out for 3 hours until out of ammunition. Then he and his two remaining sepoys charged with bayonets into the mass of their attackers and were cut down. His grave was honoured by his enemies as 'no braver men ever lived than the Englishman who lies buried there.'
Memorial in Bombay -
"This road is named after Major Sidney James Waudby who with Private Elami Bux and Private Sonnak Tannak all of the 19th Bo. Infy. fell on the 16th April 1880 in defence of the Dubrai Post in Afghanistan which, when warned that an attack in force was imminent they refused to abandon and most gallantly held for 3 hours against 300 of the enemy, many of whom were slain, eventually when all their ammunition was expended they dashed into the midst of their foes and died fighting. In honour of their heroism this tablet is placed by the Regiment."

Lieutenant Francis Charles Stayner
Killed at Deh Khojah 16th August 1880. Second son of James Stayner, of Somerset. He was born 27th July 1854 and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. After qualifying for the legal profession he went to Sandhurst and in 1876 was gazetted to the 5th Fusiliers in Bengal. He joined the Bombay Staff Corps and was posted to the 19th Bombay N.I. At Deh Khoja he was shot and killed.

28th Bombay Native Infantry

Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Newport
Killed at Deh Khojah 16th August 1880. Second son of Major Christopher Newport (Bombay Army). He was born in Bombay and educated at Cheltenham College. In 1855 he was gazetted to the 3rd Europeans and served in the Mutiny. He carried the Queen's Colour at Baroda and was wounded at Lohari. Posted to the 18th Bombay N.I he served in Abyssinia (1867). In 1868 he married Caroline Clarke, of Cheltenham. He was shot in the chest during the attack on Deh Khoja and died soon after.

30th Bombay Native Infantry (Jacob's Rifles)

Captain Hugh Frederick Smith
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Younger son of Hugh and Julia Smith, of London. He was born 28th June 1846 and after Sandhurst he was gazetted to the 88th Foot in 1866. In 1870 he joined the Bombay Staff Corps and was posted to Jacob's Rifles. He was killed by a shell burst early in the battle of Maiwand.

Lieutenant Duncan Cole
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880.
Born 8th May 1859, second son of Charles Cole, ex-paymaster of the Indian Navy and Consul for the Indian Government at Jiddah. After Sandhurst he joined the Bombay and Madras Staff Corps and joined the 30th Bomaby N.I. At Maidan he commanded 2 companies and was killed by a round shot.

Lieutenant William Napier Justice
Killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880. Eldest and only son of Lieut-Colonel H. Justice (Madras Staff Corps) and Isabella Caroline Oxley. He was born 6th January 1858 in Singapore. He was educated at Cheltenham College and gazetted to the 2/17th Foot in 1876. He joined the Bombay Staff Corps and was posted to the 21st Bombay N.I. In 1879 he joined Jacob's Rifles and was killed at Maiwand.

Subadar Dewjee Kopekur - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Subadar Krishnajee Bhagway - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880

Jemadar Mehtab Sing - wounded at Maiwand, 27th July 1880. died of wounds.

Jemadar Moossa Khan - killed at Maiwand 27th July 1880


Index