Abyssinia 1868 Last Great Expedition of Queen Victoria’s Army: The Letters of Major Thomas Basil Fanshawe, 33rd (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment

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Major Thomas Basil Fanshawe of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment was a Field Officer in
the Abyssinian Expeditionary Force of 1868.

Regiments of the British and Indian armies under the command of Sir Robert Napier, marched more than 400 miles through rough terrain and mountain roads to reach Magdala where British hostages were held by the King of Abyssinia.

The Abyssinians defending their city, were armed mainly with spears. After suffering great losses they retreated into their fortress and diplomacy with the besieged King failed. The siege was only broken when the 33rd Regiment found an entrance into the city and the final battle took place.

A prized battle honour was gained by the Regiment for ‘Abyssinia’ and Basil Fanshawe’s letters to his mother give vivid details as the dramatic events unfold. Also revealed are intimate familial concerns that will draw the reader into Fanshawe’s life and time.

This is the second collection of the letters that were written during Major Fanshawe’s 30 year military career. Sebastopol to Dagenham’ the Crimean War letters, were published in 2016. Private and unread for many years, his letters have been donated by a member of the Fanshawe family and are now held in the Barking & Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Centre at Valence House, Dagenham.