Individual Notes
Note for: William Holland, ABT Mar 1854 -
Index
Christening: Date: 26 Mar 1854
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Occupation: Date: 1861
Place: Scholar
Occupation: Date: 1878
Place: Clerk
Occupation: Date: BET 1881 AND 1901
Place: Railway Clearing House Clerk
Residence: Date: BET 1879 AND 1881
Place: 88 Corbyn Street, London, Middlesex.
Residence: Date: 1878
Place: 21 Great Percy Street, Clerkenwell, London
Residence: Date: 1891
Place: 72 Sussex Road, Islington, London
Census: Date: 1881
Place: Islington, Middlesex
Census: Date: 1861
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Census: Date: 1901
Place: Islington, Middlesex
Individual Note: 1 _PHOTO M979
Individual Notes
Note for: Sarah Anne Holland, ABT Jul 1857 -
Index
Christening: Date: 12 Jul 1857
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Occupation: Date: 1871
Place: Scholar
Residence: Date: 1871
Place: 27 Parliament St, Criccin
Census: Date: 1871
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Census: Date: 1861
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Individual Note: 1 _PHOTO M983
Individual Notes
Note for: Mary Holland, ABT 1825 -
Index
Occupation: Date: 1841
Place: Servant
Residence: Date: 1841
Place: High St., Criccin, Rhuddlan
Census: Date: 1841
Place: Rhuddlan
Individual Note: 1 _PHOTO M984
There appears to be no record of Mary being christened either in theChapel or Church. The Parish Register entry for her wedding gives herage as "under age" which implies she was no more than 21 in 1841.Given that her parents did not marry until 1823 it may be she was norchristened.
Individual Notes
Note for: John Thomas, ABT 1820 -
Index
Occupation: Date: 1841
Place: Carpenter
Individual Notes
Note for: Edward Hughes, ABT 1828 - 22 Jan 1892
Index
Occupation: Date: 1870
Place: Soldier
Occupation: Date: BET 1871 AND 1881
Place: Miller
Residence: Date: 1870
Place: Bryn Celyn, Rhuddlan
Residence: Date: 1871
Place: 3 Pen y Bont, Scawen, Rhuddlan
Census: Date: 1871
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Burial: Date: AFT 22 Jan 1892
Place: Rhuddlan, Flintshire
Individual Note: 1 _PHOTO M986
The following detailed notes describing the life of Edward Hughes havebeen compiled by Terry Hughes the Gt Gt Grandson of Edward Hughes.
GUNNER EDWARD HUGHES 1829 - 1892
East India Company Infantry and Royal Artillery
Life events
" 1829 19 April born in Rhyddlan St Asaph Flint
Parents: William Hughes (1797 - 1847) and Ann Ellis
" Pre 1849 labourer
" 1849 3rd December age 20 enlisted in the East India Company Infantryat Liverpool
Private 2nd European Light Infantry (India Office Records L/MIL/12/11)
Term of enlistment 10 years
No 130 5ft 6 5/8ins, complexion fresh, eyes grey, hair brown religionCofE
Next of kin: mother Ann Hughes Rhyddlan St Asaph Flintshire.
" 1850/51 17 June arrived in India on the ship Equestrian (IORL/MIL/12/11)
" 1856 7 Dec landed Hallilah Bay, Persia
" 1857 expedition to Borazjan [Barzjoon] arriving on the 3 February
" 1857 8 Feb took part in the battle of Koosh-ab
Signed L Scott
True copy M Gibberd Captain commnd 6/21 Royal Artillery
Awarded the Persia medal
" 1857 - 58 Edward's gravestone records that he 'went through theIndian Mutiny'
" 1860 24 March promoted Lance Bombardier age 31
" 1860 25 June promoted Bombardier
" 1861 10 May volunteered for general service in the 21st brgd RoyalArtillery at Kurrache
" 1861 7 Aug elected for Indian [??]
signed M Gibbard Captain Cmd 4/5 Artillery
" 1861 11 Sept reduced to Gunner
" 1867 16 [?Dec] embarked Bombay
" 1868 2 Jan disembarked Annesley Bay
Served with B Battery Indian [??] Train in Abyssinia
" 1868 13 Apr distinguished himself at the capture of MagdalaAbyssinia
Awarded the Abyssinia medal No130 Gunner E Hughes 21st Brigade RoyalArtillery
" 1868 30 May embarked at Annesley Bay
Signed Godfrey ?Lamb Captain cmnd 5/21 RA
" 1869 31 Jan discharged
" For effect 5 Mar 1870 Abyssinia medal 130-13 Edward Hughes 21st BgdRoyal Artillery
" 1870 miller in Rhuddlan
" 1870 married ANN HOLLAND in St Asaph
Parents James HOLLAND and Mary PARRY both of Rhuddlan.
" 1871 miller living at 3 Pen y Bont Rhuddlan [census] with wife Ann,father in law James Holland age 78 (pauper) and sister-in-law Sarahage 44 (charwoman)
" 1872 daughter Sarah Ann born
" 1875 son William born
" 1875 7 Apr daughter Sarah Ann died age 3
" 1877 (abt) son James born
" 1881 miller living at 84 Church St, Pen y Bont, Rhuddlan [census]
" 1891 foundry labourer, Welsh speaking, living at Pen y Bont withwife Ann and sons William age 16 (agri implement fitter apprentice)and James age 14 (grocer's apprentice) [census]
" 1892 22 Jan died age 62 [gravestone]
The military details are from the Royal Regiment of Artillery AccountBook No 130 Edward Hughes
Pay book record
1863 - 1864 Aden
1865 - 1867 Bilgaum a city in Northwestern Karnataka, India. In 1818it was handed over to the British East India Company and was made partof the district of Dharwad. It is located in the northwestern part ofthe state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India near theborders of the Indian states of Maharashtra and Goa. It is 500 kmSoutheast of Mumbai (Bombay) in the foothills of the Sahyadhri range(Western Ghats) at an altitude of 25,00 feet (779 m).
1868 Camp Zula is a small town in Eritrea near the head of AnnesleyBay (also known as the Bay of Zula) on the African coast of the RedSea. It was the place where the British expedition of 1867 - 1868against Tewodros disembarked, Annesley Bay affording safe and ampleanchorage for the largest ocean-going vessels. A road was built by theBritish from Zula to Senafe on the Abyssinian plateau.
The East India Company
The EIC maintained an army in India until 1859. The Company's originswere as a trading organization but gradually the army became theirmain activity and they became the de facto government of India. Afterthe Indian Mutiny the British government effectively nationalised theEIC and the Company's artillery and engineers became part of the RoyalArtillery which was then the British Army in India.
Persia 1856-57
The origin of the Persian campaign was the British fear of Russianinfluence in Afghanistan. The British wanted Afghanistan to remain anindependent country friendly to Britain as a buffer against Russianexpansion towards India. They opposed an extension of Persianinfluence in Afghanistan because of the perception that Persia wasunduly influenced by the Russians. The Persians had repeatedlyattempted to acquire Herat (nominally part of Afghanistan) by force,most recently in 1838 and 1852; both times British opposition hadconvinced them to back down prior to war. They made a fresh attempt in1856, and succeeded in taking the city on 25 October. In response, theBritish Governor-General in India, acting on orders from London,declared war on 1 November and the campaign was successfully conductedunder the leadership of Major General Sir James Outram resulting in anew treaty with Persia.
After the major defeat suffered in the First Afghan War the Britishwere reluctant to invade Persia via Afghanistan. Instead the campaignwas conducted in two regions: on southern coast of Persia near Bushireand in southern Mesopotamia (present day Iraq). Edward Hughesparticipated in the former, landing at Hallilah Bay on the 7thDecember 1856. Immediately on landing, the first division advancedonto the primary port of Persia, Bushire city. They stormed the oldfort at Reshire and went on to capture the city on 10th December.
Reconnaissance inland revealed a Persian force of 4000 troops atShiraz and the first division was considered too weak to ventureinland away from its maritime base of operations. To strengthen theexpedition reinforcements were sent from India under General Sir JamesOutram, KCB arriving in late January 1857. The expedition force lefton the afternoon of 3rd February and marched all night over heavy sandto within 10 miles of Barazjoon where they bivouacked for a shortrest. The Persians abandoned Barazjoon without a fight. Outram decidedagainst a risky pursuit and started to withdraw to Bashire but atKooshab on the 8th February they were confronted by 8000 Persians in acommanding position overlooking Outram's camp. The expedition had beencaught in a vulnerable position but they attacked and managed toinflict a heavy defeat on the enemy. The enemy fled and the Britishcontinued their march to Bushire but in torrential rain and mud 'sodeep as to pull a man's boots off his feet'. They finally reachedBushire on the 10th of February.
The troops had covered 46 miles in 41 hours to meet the enemy, afurther 20 miles over the most difficult country during the nightafter the battle, and, after a rest of 6 hours, another 24 miles toBushire.
-E.W.C. Sandes in the Indian Sappers and Miners (1948).
The battle honour 'Persia' was awarded to all units which hadparticipated in the campaign vide Gazette of the Governor General 1306of 1858. The units were:
" 3rd Bombay Cavalry - presently Poona Horse
" Poona Irregular Horse - presently Poona Horse
" 1st Scinde Irregular Horse - presently Scinde Horse
" Madras Sappers & Miners - presently Madras Engineer Group
" Bombay Sappers & Miners - presently Bombay Engineer Group
" 4th Bombay Infantry - Later 1st Battalion, the Rajputana Rifles,presently, the 4th Battalion, Brigade of Guards
" 20th Bombay Infantry - presently 2nd Battalion, the Rajputana Rifles
" 23rd Bombay Infantry - presently 4th Battalion, the Rajputana Rifles
" 26th Bombay Infantry - later the 2nd Battalion, the 10th BaluchRegiment (transferred to Pakistan)
Edward was probably a member of one of the four Bombay InfantryBrigades at this time. My grandfather told me that Edward had foughtan Arab. They were both on horseback and Edward killed him with hissaber.
Royal Artillery
In 1859-61 the East India Company's Bengal European troops weretransferred to the British Army, the infantry becoming Britishregiments of the line and the artillery and engineers beingamalgamated with the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. In 1862 theregiment absorbed the artillery of the British East India Company - 21horse batteries and 48 field batteries - which brought its strength upto 29 horse batteries, 73 field batteries and 88 heavy batteries. On 1July 1899, the Royal Artillery was divided into three groups: theRoyal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery comprised one group,while the coastal defence, mountain, siege and heavy batteries weresplit off into another group named the Royal Garrison Artillery. Thethird group continued to be titled simply Royal Artillery, and wasresponsible for ammunition storage and supply. Which section a gunnerbelonged to was indicated by collar badges (R.A., R.F.A., R.H.A., orR.G.A.). The RFA and RHA also dressed as mounted men, whereas the RGAdressed like foot soldiers.
Edward elected to join the 21st brigade Royal Artillery on the 10thMay 1861.
Abyssinia
The origin of Abyssinian War 1867 - 1868 was a failure by the LiberalBritish government to respond to a request from the Coptic ChristianEmperor Theodore for munitions and technological support in his warwith his Moslem neighbours. He perceived this as an insult and to tryto gain attention for his problem he imprisoned the British ConsulCaptain Charles Cameron and a number of other people including Britishwomen and children. Back in Britain a general election was underwayand the issue was taken up by the press. The Conservative oppositionmilked the issue to such an extent that when they were elected theyhad no option but to try to rescue the hostages. They appointed SirRobert Napier to command the force. He was an engineer and refused tosend in a small, fast force which risked being defeated on the 400mile journey to Magdala. Instead he insisted on a fully equipped armycapable of supplying itself and defending the supply lines. Theestimated cost was £2 million but eventually it cost £7 million.
The logistics are staggering. The advanced force of the army wasdispatched from Bombay on the 21st December 1867 and two weeks laterlanded at Annesley Bay in the Bay of Zula (Zoulla). It was carried in75 steamers, 205 sailing vessels and 11 smaller craft. In all theybrought in 38,000 men, 5,735 camels, 17,943 mules and ponies, 8,075bullocks, 2,538 horses and 44 elephants. A 20 mile length of railwaywas immediately constructed to higher ground where there was a watersupply.
A number of regiments guarded the bay while the 4th (The King's OwnRoyal), 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) and 45th (Sherwood Forresters)Regiments of Foot comprised the rescue force, along with a number ofIndian units complete with mules and elephants. It took two months toreach their objective, the fortress of Magdala [Amba Mariam inEthiopia today] . The journey was hampered by difficult and arduousterrain and torrential rain which made the soft ground impassable andthe canvas tents too heavy for the pack animals. Frequently marcheshad to be delayed to allow the tents and tracks to dry out.
En route they fought one battle to get past the plateau of Arogi whenTheodoro foolishly abandoned a strong defensive position to attack theforce. The attack was easily defeated by the British who were armedwith the new Snider breach-loading rifles.
On arrival at Magdala fort the force prepared to attack even thoughTheodoro had released the prisoners. The intention was that engineersshould blow up the gate under covering fire from Armstrong 12 poundercannon and mortars but on arrival the engineers realised they hadforgotten the powder and scaling ladders. While they returned tocollect it the 33rd forced an entry over the boundary wall and thedefenders were quickly defeated. Theodoro committed suicide.
Sir Robert was created Baron Napier of Magdala on his return toBritain where he was treated as a great hero by the press and public.In the following years he toured the country attending many civicreceptions.
No doubt Edward Hughes received his share of prestige for his part inthis campaign when he returned to Rhuddlan with his Abyssinia campaignmedal.
The Abyssinia medal was unusual in having the recipients name embossedon the reverse. This meant an individual die had to be cut for everymedal making it expensive to produce. This was never repeated.
The medal is listed in the Supplementary Roll of Officers, NC Officersand men who were attached to the 3rd and 5th batteries of the 21stBrgd Royal Engineers in Abysinnia and who therefore may claim for theAbysinnia Medal under General Order No 18 of 1869. Medals for effect5.3.1870. (Nat Arch WO100/43 Roll 7683 / 411)
Regiment no Name Date of landing or arrival at coast Remarks
Lt Col Millwarde T W CB 4.1.68 War Office
Cpt & Bt Cpt Penn L W CB 29.12.67 India 6th Brgd
Lt Nolan J P 4.12.67 Shoeburyness
Lt Chapman E T 4.12.67 Staff Coll Sandhurst
Taylor F H ?.1.68 4th Brgd RA
Lt Curtiss W J de H ?.1.68 C Brgd RHd [?]
487 [?] Sarjeant Daffield Thomas 4.12.67 Trans to H Brgd
1486 [?] Sarjeant Fer[?] George 4.12.67 Trans to Depot Brgd
1086 Sarjeant Burke Patrick 2.1.68 Discharge to pension
1493 [?] Smith Fortman(?) William 4.1.68 Transport Depot Brgd
1520 [?] Smith Thompson James 4.1.68 Transport Depot Brgd
1521 Wheeler (?) John 4.1.68 Transport Depot Brgd
1519 Wheeler Beckoff (?) Francis 4.1.68 Transport Depot Brgd
List of Gunners follows
130 13 Hughes Edward 2.1.68 Discharged to pension
Campaigns of the Bombay Army
History of the Bombay Army Sir Patrick Cadell CSI CIE VD 1938
1848 - 49 Second Panjab War Mooltan Goojerat 1st Lancers, 1st 2ndScinde Horse, 1st Bombay Fusiliers, 3rd 4th 9th 13th Regiments, 3rdTroop HA, 2nd company 1st Battalion Foot Artillery
1856 - 57 Persian War, Reshire, Bushire, Kooshab. 3rd Cavalry, PoonaHorse, 1st Scinde Horse, Southern Maharatta Horse, Aden Troop, 2ndEuropean Light Infantry, 4th 20th 23rd 26th Regiments, 2nd BeloochBattalion, Battalion of Light Companies (of 2nd 3rd 5th 8th 11th 15th22nd 25th 28th 29th Regiments), 3rd 4th Troops HA, 3rd Company 1stBattalion, 1st 4th Companies 1st Battalion, 1st Company 2nd (Golandaz)Battalion Foot Artillery.
1857 - 1859 Indian Mutiny, Kolhapur, Rajputana, Central India, Jahnsi,Betwa, Kalpi, Kathiawar. 1st 2nd 3rd Cavalry, Poona Horse, 1st 3rdScinde Horse, 1st 2nd Southern Maharatta Horse, Gujarat Horse, AdenTroop, 2nd 3rd Europeans, 4th 6th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th16th 17th 19th 20th 24rd 25th 26th 29th Regiments, 1st BeloochBattalion, Marine Batttalion, all 4 Troops HA, 3rd Company 1stBattalion, 1st 4th Companies 2nd Battalion, 3rd 4th Companies 3rd(Golandaz) Battalion, 1st 2nd 4th Companies 4th (Golandaz) BattalionFoot Artillery.
1858 Aden. 29th Regiment, 2nd Company 1st Battalion, 5th Company 3rd(Golandaz) Battalion Artillery
1860 China. 3rd 5th Regiments
1865 Aden. 1st Grenadiers, 3rd Company Native Artillery
1867 Abyssinia. 3rd Cavalry, 3rd Scinde Horse, 2nd 3rd 4th 10th 18th21st (Marine Battalion) 25th 27th (1st Baluch) Regiments, 1st CompanyNative Artillery.
Ruddlan iron foundry and agricultural implement manufactory
Mid C19 local business man John Whittaker invented highly successfulagricultural machinery which was feted and won prizes. The machinesincluded turnip pulpers, disc slicers and root cutters made at thePhoenix Foundary in Ruddlan (Explore Ruddlan Denbigh CC 2002).