AFGHAN CHURCH [ST JOHN'S]
H
Military Cantonment, Colaba, Mumbai [Bombay], India
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A plaque inside the main door of the church states:"This church was built in memory of the Officers whose names are written on the walls of the Chancel, and of the Non-Commissioned Officers and Private Soldiers, too many to be so recorded, who fell, mindful of their duty, by sickness or by the sword, in the campaigns of Sind and Afghanistan. A.D. 1838 - 1843"
At the present time there is only one monument still standing in the church grounds. It is a four square column topped by a cross, and located inside a low octagonal wall. Around the inside of the wall are numerous plaques. At the opening in the wall is a plaque which states:
To the glory of God, dedicated by the Rev. N.D. Azariah 30th April 1978"
On the front of the column is engraved the following: "This cross is erected by the Officers and Privates of Her Majesty's 45th Regiment to the memory of the following Sergeants, Corporals, Privates, Women and Children of the Regiment who died at NAAMUAH and COLABA between March 1865 and January 1866. Requesting in Peace"
Going clockwise around the column, the left side lists the following:NAAMUAH
SERGEANTS: James Carey, William Meaney, William Summers, Alexander Rafferty, William Pennell.
CORPORALS: John Bartley, William Faichan, William House,
DRUMMER: Henry Haywood.
PRIVATES: Lewin Skull, Henry Smith, William Hannah, Thomas Smith,William Tyler, Albert Nolan, Robert Heyes, Thomas Waterworth, William D Job,
J Y Norton, J B Atkins, H Armstrong, William Dawson, Joseph Kirby, Thomas Smith, Thomas Osborn, Charles Ransom, Albert Topp, Michael Murther, Thomas Slater, Joseph Brooks, John Harris, Henry Jay, Isaac Stacey, James Byrne, Patrick Walsh, John Wheatcroft, John Sumner.
On the rear of the column:BOMBAY
COLOUR SERGEANT: James H Enser
SERGEANTS: Thomas Barker, John Kay
CORPORALS: Burnard Lynch
PRIVATES: Daniel Webb, Patrick Muldoon, Joseph Bush, George Oates, Simon Neale, John Maginty, Samuel Wright, Simon Cavanagh, William Pearman, J Edward Hayte, John Hargreaves, William Connelly, John Wilde, John McCartney, John Smith,
WOMEN: Mrs Hinchley, Mrs Carlton, Mrs Baxter, Mrs O'neil, Mrs Sharpley, Mrs Widdick. "And 23 children"
On the final side:NAAMUAH
James Cooper, Thomas Burton, William Coomps, Henry Scott, William Scott, Robert Geddis, John Kennedy, William McGuane, John Morris, Thomas Strong, Robert Walton, William Wigg, William Tarrell, Thomas Ecan, Noah Johnson, John Greatorex, John O'Donohoe, Joseph Powell, Thomas Devlin, John Edmondson, William Church, Robert Stewart, Joseph Butler, Stephen Furlong, James Gray, John McCoy, Ezra Kemble, John Geddis, John Campbell, Samuel Allen, WH Thomson. Mrs Hill, Woodland, Tilbury, O'Shaughnessy, Griffiths, Hulme, Dison, Thomas, Mitchel. "And 14 children".
On the inside of the boundary wall were a number of small plaques. The following records their inscriptions.
FIRST: In memory of my beloved wife, Lily Meek 29.11.1906 - 15.01 1972.
SECOND: In loving memory of Eric D Johnson died 17 July 1976.
THIRD: In loving of Rev Canon HV Paul died 17.05.1978. Priest 1965 - 1975.
FOURTH: In loving memory of beloved Leonard and Isabell Ringrow and Walter A Ringrow. 05.05.78
"RIP love Pear"
FIFTH: In loving memory of beloved Osmond J Shrieves.
"RIP 05.05.78 love Pearl"
SIXTH: In loving memory of beloved Robert R Wormald 22.10.1903 - 29.10.1960 May Enid Marklew 22.05.10 - 21.07.1977.
RIP 05.05.78 love Pearl"
SEVENTH: In loving memory of Ethel Vera Butler died 4 March 1979.
EIGHTH: In loving memory of Winifred Grace Novis died 10 August 1971.
NINTH: In loving memory of Sareh Chandy died 28 March 1956.
TENTH: In loving memory of John Elisha died 30 May 1975.
ELEVENTH: In loving memory of A A Chandy died 11 October 1963
TWELFTH: In loving memory of Grace Kamalarathnam (Elisha) died 3 January 1976
THIRTEENTH: In loving memory of Arthur Clarke died 16 April 1977
FOURTEENTH: In loving memory of Joseph Patrick Redmond died 23 July 1976
FIFTEENTH: In loving memory of Maurice Hawgood died 31 March 1966
SIXTEENTH: In loving memory of Bertram Frank Simmons died 2 September 1970
SEVENTEENTH: In ever loving memory of dearest May Green (Patta) died 25.01.1978 (Samuel family)
EIGHTEENTH: In ever loving memory of Edward Richard Peacock died 13 December 1955
NINETEENTH: In ever loving memory of Rita Charlotte Phillips died 3 April 1966
TWENTIETH: In loving memory of Mary Peacock died 13 February 1978
TWENTYFIRST: In loving memory of Mrs Violet Foster died 13 March 1976
TWENTYSECOND: In loving memory of Mrs Annie Nock died 11 November 1975
OTHERS:
Sacred to the memory of G O Pothen died 20 July 1959
Sacred to the memory of Saramma Pothen died 27 February 1974
In loving memory of Frederick Albert Thurlow died 12.12.1978
INSIDE THE CHURCH
The following inscription was on the step at the entrance to the Chancel
"This iron screen was erected by the Officers, NCO's and men of the 36th Coy RGA (late 26th EDRGA) to the Glory of God and in memory of the following who died in India during 1894 - 1902:
CORPORALS: C Royce, WG Mitchell,
BOMBARDIER: JM Pullan
TRUMPETERS: AE Martin, WE Jarvis
GUNNERS: JB Davison, JJ Deane, A Lewis, H Garnham, F Hoddeth, A Chase. RIP. Also GUNNER R Sayers who died at sea 28 November 1902."
There were a number of plaques on the floor of the Chancel. These read as follows:
"To the Glory of God and in loving rememberance of William Napier Justice Lieutenant Bombay Staff Corp who fell at Maiwand 27 July 1880, aged 22 years and 6 months. HAJ ICJ LCM LMJ EIMJ."
"To the Glory of God and in memory of Percy Charles Heath Captain Bombay Staff Corp third son of the late Major-General JC Heath Bombay Army born 11 April 1847. Killed at the battle of Maiwand Afghanistan July 27 1880, This memorial is placed here by his brothers in loving rememberance "The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised"
"In memory of Henry Francis Brooke late Adjutant-General Bombay Army who was appointed to the command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade at Candahar in March 1880 and fell during the sortie against Deh Khoja on the 16th August 1880, while nobly endeavouring to save the life of Captain GM Cruickshank RE a wounded comrade"
"In loving memory of Major Sir Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnary KCB CSIBSC political officer with the British troops in Afghanistan and Envoy to the Court of Kabul. He fell with members of his escort whilst gallantly defending the Residency at Kabul against overwhelming numbers, 3rd September 1879, aged 37."
Around the walls of the Chancel were numberous plaques. They referred to the different Armies and their regiments and listed the names of officers killed in the various campaigns. Their age, the fact that they were painted onto the plaques, and the distance from which I was required to view them, has meant that transcription is subject to mistakes. However, the following is the best available :
BOMBAY ARMY
ARTILLERY Lieutenant R Creed, E Welland, W Terry, D Erskyne. 2nd Lieutenant JR Smith. Assistant Surgeon C Baxter.
3rd LIGHT CAVALRY Lieutenant-Colonel PP Wilson, Captains: H Bury, GO Reeves. Lieutenants: DS Ravenscroft, JL Aitken. Cornet EF Moore.
1st REGIMENT N.I. GRENADIERS Major TR Billamoore. Captains AC Heighington, CB Raitt. Lieutenant RR Moore. Ensign CC Hodgson.
7th REGIMENT N.I. Colonel J Keith.
21st REGIMENT N.I. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir A Burnes KCB. Captain Ian Ennis. Lieuenants CF Cuerton, F Burr. MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT: Assistant Surgeon GM Grant, P Lord.
25th REGIMENT N.I. Major HC Teasdale. Captain CC Rabenack. Lieutenants C Lodge, WR Shubrick. Ensigns J Brown, D Bourchier. MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT: Assistant Surgeon W Bellett. JN Harrison.
H.M. ARMY
4th LIGHT DRAGOONS Captain BN Ogle. Lieutenants: F.C. Fyers, F. Janvrin
16th Lancers Lieutenant-Colonel R Arnold, Captain W Hilton, Lieutenant D Inverarity.
13th Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel V.V.H. Dennie C.B., Captains G Fothergill, W Southerland, T Kershaw. Lieutenants J.B. Hobhouse, E King, R.E. Frere, J.P.C. Scott.
XLI Regiment of Foot Captains J.G. Bedingfield, W May, J. Wetherall. Lieutenant T.S. Evans. Ensign C Hessing. Assistant Surgeon H * Minster.
BENGAL ARMY
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT: Captain Surgeon W Duff. Surgeon W Jacob. Assistant Surgeon W. E. Pollard. Shar Coojams. Lieutenant Wheeler.
LXVI N.I. Regiment Captain G Neugent.
LXIV Regiment Northern India Major: P.C. Anderson. Captain n A Wilson.
LVI Regiment Major H.W. Bellew
LVII Regiment N.I. Major J Patton
LXI Regiment N.I. Captains J Skinner, J Marshall
LIV Regiment N.I. Lieutenants W Morrison, H Weaver, J Pottinger, G.W. Cunninghame. Ensign A Rose
LIV Regiment Major W Etwart. Captains Anstruther, A.A.L. Corrie, D. Shaw, I.A. Kirkby, Burnett, N. Palmer.
H.M. ARMY (MADRAS ARMY)
23rd Regiment Lieutenant W Bird
38th Regiment Lieutenant A.C. Macartney
XLIX Regiment of Foot Lieutenant L T.P. Gibbons.
UNATTATCHED Lieutenant-Colonel C.Stoddart
XLIV Regiment of Foot Lieutenant W.G. Raban. Cadet: H. Swinton, F.J.C. Fortye. Ensign A.W. Gray. Paymaster T.Bourke. Quartermaster R.R. Halahan. Surgeon J.Harcourt. Assistant Surgeons W. Balfour, W. Primrose M.D.
XLIV Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel T. Mackrell. Major W.B. Scott. Captains T Swayne, R.B. McCrey, T.R. Leighton, T. Robinson, W.H. Dodgin, T. Collins. Lieutenants W.G. Whittle, W.G. White, F.M. Wade, A. Hogg, E.S. Cumberland.
XL Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel T. Powell K.H., Lieutenants H.F. Valient, R.Armstrong, J.Magnay, Ensigns W. Erwin, R.A. Lindley. Quarter-Master C Phillips.
31st Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel T. Skinner C.B., Major C Shaw. Captain: G. C. Marshall. Lieutenant T.Pender, H.K. Sayers, D McIlveen, R.B. Tritton.
XVII Regiment of Foot Captain W. Hackett. Lieutenant S.H. Correy. Surgeon A. Hamilton M.D.
21st Regiment of Foot Major W. Thain.
22nd Regiment of Foot Captain J. McL*tew.
2nd Queen's Regiment Captain H.D. Keith. Lieutenant: T. Gravat. H. Halket. E.W. Sparke. T.A. Nixon. Assistant Surgeon W.E. Hibbert M.D.
9th Regiment of Foot Lieutenant J.S. Cumming.
3rd K.O. Light Dragoons Lieutenant: J. White. Cornet A. Fisher.
Commanding in Afghanistan Major-General W.K. Elphinstone.
XLVII Regiment N.I. Captain R. Raban, Sir A. Mackenzie bart. Lieutenant W. Champion.
LIIV Regiment Captain J.D. Douglas, C Windsor,
LV** Regiment of Foot Lieutenant W G.Horne.
XXXVII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant F.H. Hawtrey, R. Inglis, E.D. Vanrennen. Ensign J. St George, J.W. Gordon.
XLI Regiment of Foot Lieutenant W.F. Hammersley
XXXVII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel J. Herring. Captain: E.Westmacott. J.N. Rind. Lieutenant W.C.V. Collinson. W. Loveday. C. Carlyon. D.Ramsey. W.W. Steer.
XXXIII Regiment of Foot Captain J.Matthias.
XXXV Regiment of Foot Captain J.Hey. C Wyndham. E.Hey Lieutenant C.H. Jenkins.
XXXI Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel J. Tompson. Captain P. Meik.
XXXII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant J.J. McKay
XX Regiment of Foot Major F. Apthorp K.I.C., Captain W. Jones. Assistant Surgeon T. Brickwell.
XX11 Regiment of Foot Captain R. Lewis. Lieutenant C. Rooke.
1st Light Cavalry Major J Liddell. Lieutenant C.C. Campbell, R.C. Le Geyt. Cornet P.L. Brooke. Surgeon D. Forbes.
VI Regiment of Foot Ensign R.Liddell, E.D. Hallswell
II Regiment Grenadiers Captain A. Hand. Lieutenants W.H. Clark, H Franklin, F. Falconer, J.S. Olifant, H.E. Reveley, M.P. Hunt, Ensign A. Williams.
Medical Establishment Assistant Surgeon F.Forbes M.D., G. Baines.
VIII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant D.D. Chadwick. Ensign S.J. Dalzell.
XII Regiment of Foot Major W.H. Jackson. Captain R.N. Mead. Lieutenant E. Wood.
XVII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant C. Burns.
Artillery Lieutenant-Colonel T. Stevenson C.B.: Major J. Cocke: 2nd Lieutenant E.J. Baynes. Assistant Surgeon T.J. Hallaran.
Engineers Lieutenant G. McCloud.
BENGAL ARMY
XXVII Regiment of Foot Captains W.Grant, P. Hopkins. Lieutenant B. Lumsden, H Laing, T Davies. Assistant Surgeon E.R. Cardew.
XLIII Regiment of Foot Major S. Hart. Captain A. Webster. Lieutenant J.W.C. Chalmers.
XX Regiment of Foot Lieutenants C. Rattray, T.B. Conolly.
XXII Regiment of Foot Captain R.Lewis. Lieutenant C. Rook.
V Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Oliver. Major S. Swayne. Captains W. MacIntosh, R.M. Miles, J.B. Lock, E.W. Burkinyoung, C.W. Haigh.
***** W. Hytumbs, C.B. Horsbrugh, R.H. Alexander, R.H. Warren, A.D. Pottenger.
2nd Europeans Lieutenant G.W. Collins.
2nd Regiment Grendiers Captain T. Bell. Lieutenants J. Shaw, T Pattenson.
1st Light Cavalry Captain E.B. Congley, A Conoley.
Light Cavalry Lieutenant C. Buist.
V Light Cavalry Lieutenants F. Colyer. L.H. Hardyman, H.Y. Bazett. Surgeon E.T. Harpur. Assistant Surgeon F.R. Metcalfe, M.D. Veterinary Surgeon J.T. Willis.
3rd Light Cavalry Captain R.S. Trevor.
5th Light Cavalry Lieutenant-Colonel R.E. Chambers. Captains E.M. Blair, J. Bott, P.S. Hamilton.
Artillery Captains H. Timings, T. Nichol. Lieutenants C. Stuart, C.A. Green, A. Christie, R. Maule.
Engineers Lieutenant J.S. Broadfoot, J.J.D. Stur**
R.Piggot.
BENGAL ARMY (BENGAL C.S.)
XXXVIII Regiment of Foot Surgeon W. Jacob.
XLII Regiment of Foot Lieutenant-Colonel T.J. Anquetil. Captain W.B. Gould. Ensign S. Beafort. Surgeon Walker.
1st Regiment N.I. Captain T. Walker.
XVI Regiment of Foot Captain J. Hoppe.
XXX Regiment of Foot Ensign A.J. Nicholson.
XLIX Regiment N.I. Captain C. Codrington.
VII Light Cavalry Captain C. Garrett. Lieutenant W.Cookson.
1st Europeans Lieutenant W. Broadfoot. Ensign E. W. Salusbury.
XLIV Regiment Captain J. Woodburn.
1st Europeans Lieutenant Robert H Hicks.
Artillery Major R. Roberts. Assistant Surgeons A.Bryce, R.O. Davidson, H. Koe.
2nd Light Cavalry Lieutenant-Colonel A. Duffin, G.C. Crispin. Cornet J.J. Galloway. Envoy and Minister at the Court of Shah Sooja Ool Moolk, Sir W.H. MacNaghten Bart Governor Elect of Bombay.
Other Plaques: **Also in memory of Lieutenant Francis Charles Stayner 19th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry "erected by brother officers and friends".
**
To the Glory of God and in memory of Major Richard John Le Poer Trench 19th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry.
**
In memory of Major Sidney James Waudby 19th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry. "Killed in action in the Afghan"
"AD 1880 Whilst gloriously leading on their men:**
To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Albert Edward Lancaster,Sgt 79th Company R.G.A. who entered in to rest October 16 1918 aged 36 years. Erected by the one he loved. "So he passed over and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side".
**
In memory of Captain Conville Warneford of the Bombay Politcal Department and the 44th Gurkha Rifles who was born 13th October 1871, and was trecherously murdered by an Arab at Amrija in the Aden hinterland 3rd March 1904. This memorial is erected in token of their great effection and high esteem by his brother officers and friends.
**
In their safe preservation these three colours were encased by Sir George Lloyd G.C.I.E. O.S.O. Govenor of Bombay 1923. These colours presented to the 24th Regiment Bombay Infantry by F.M. Lord Napier of Magdala and carried through the Afghan campaign 1879-80 where deposited in this church 24 April 1892.
NOTE: Under the first colour, XIX Bombay Native Infantry Punjab Ghuznee Mooltan Afghanistan and Gonjerate;
Middle, plaque is missing; Third, XIII Bombay Native Infantry Egypt, Kirkee, Beni Bod Ali, Central India. Afghanistan 1879-80.
**
To the Glory of God and sacred to the memory of Captain W.C. Palmer 113th Infantry killed in action before Kut-El-Amarah Mesopotamia on the 5th May 1916 and of 2nd Lieutenant F.T. Seppings-Wright 113th Infantry died from wounds whilst serving in France on 21st July 1915. Deeply regreted by their brother officers. "Well done though good and faithfull servant".
**
To the Glory of God and in memory of those who's names are below who died between 2nd October 1894 and 12 February 1898, whilst 23rd Company Southern Division Royal Artillery was quartered at Colaba ... Lieutenant R L Puxley: Corporal J R Robinson: Gunners W Richards, J Haldon, W Neal, A R Hyde, J Eley: William A a child of Company Quartermaster-Sergeant W French.
**
In memory of the following NCO's and Gunners of 76th Company (Late 19 Eastern Division) RCA who died during the stay of the Company in Bombay ... Gunner J Tootle 11601: Corporals A Roll 14302: T Russell 31503: Bombardier L Haydon 5703, G Wood 19803, H Hare 51103. All Buried in Sewree Cemetery except for Corporal Roll who is buried at Khandala. "Erected by their comrades".
**
To the Glory of God and in memory of George Henry Woolven late of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and the wireless branch India Post and Telegraphs Department who died at Chittagong on 16 January 1936, aged 47 years. He served several years as an operator in the wireless station Butcher Island Bombay. This tablet was erected and a silver chalise and patern presented to this church as a mark of esteem by his colleagues.
**
The plaque on the prayer desk was erected by the officers of the H.M. 28th Regiment on leaving the country AD 1864 in memory of Lieutenants Higman, McCormac, Wade, Irwin, Steward, Vaughan: Assistant Surgeon Brice their brother officers who have died since the regiment landed in India AD 1857.
**
In memory of the following NCO's and men of the 79th company Royal Garrison Artillery who died at Bombay whilst forming part of this garrison. Gunner Arthur Butcher died 8th May 1908, aged 40 years: Robert Jones 16th July 1908, 23 years: William McBain 3rd June 1909, 34 years: James Dwyer 5th December 1909, 23 years. Acting Bombardier George O'Brien, 7th March 1910, 26 years. Gunner Thomas Litster 26 July 1910, 23 years. Also the under mentioned children, Richard child of Corporal Hole, died 16th May 1906 aged 6 weeks: Archie child of Smith Staff Sergeant Duggan, died 26th January 1910 aged 1 day. This tablet was erected by their comrades.
**
In proud and loving memory of my beloved husband Sydney Gaddum, 2nd Lieutenant 14th (attached 17th) Royal Fusiliers killed near Serre September 11th 1916. Buried at Mailly-Maillet, aged 36 years. "Until we meet again".
**
In memory of Philip Anderson M.A. Chaplain of Colaba for seven years, departed this life on the 13th December 1857, in the 42nd year of his age. "In life his people loved him. In death they blessed his memory and pray that they together with him may attain the resurection unto eternal life." Erected by the congregation.
**To the Glory of God and in memory of the officers who's names are written above and the Non Commissioned officers and men of the Bombay Army who died in the Afghan war 1879-81.
Staff Brigadier-General H.F. Brooke, H.H. Henderson.
Commissariat Department Lieutenant-Colonel A. Shewell. Major T. W Sanders.
Royal Artillery Major G.F. Blackwood: Captain J.C. Robson, W Law: Lieutenant E.G. Osborn, H MacLaine, D Radcliffe.
Royal Engineers Captain G M Cruickshank: Lieutenant T R Henn.
2nd Battalion 7th Royal Fusiliers Lieutenant-Colonel A G Daubeny: Major T B Vandeleur: Lieutenant H J Dive: 2nd Lieutenant P F Wood, E S Marsh.
2nd Battalion 11th Regiment of Foot Lieutenant W H Bishop: Paymast A A Weigall
66th Regiment Lieutenant-Colonel J Galbraith: Major C V Oliver: Captain E S Garrett, J F Cullen, W H McMath, W Roberts: Lieutenants M E Rainer, R T Chute: 2nd Lieutenants A Honywood, W R Olivey, H J O Barr.
78th Highlanders Captain T A B Sargeant.
Poona Horse Lieutenant-Colonel R G T Stephenson.
3rd Bombay Cavalry Lieutenant W C Owen.
3rd Sind Horse Major W Reynalds.
1st Grenadiers Lieutenants C W Hinde, C G Whitby, F Whittuck.
4th Bombay Rifles Lieutenant-Colonel G B Crispin.
5th Native Light Infantry Captain P Heath.
8th Native Infantry Lieutenant-Colonel L G Brown.
10th Native Light Infantry Lieutenant W S Widdicombe.
13th Native Infantry Lieutenant C B Down.
19th Native Infantry Major R J Le P Trench, S J Waudby: Lieutenant F C Stayner.
21st Native Infantry Captain J Becke.
23rd Native Light Infantry Surgeon Major J Simpson.
28th Native Infantry Lieutenant-Colonel W H Newport.
28th Native Infantry Lieutenant-Colonel G Micholetts: Lieutenant J F M Campbell: Surgeon Major E Morton.
30th Native Infantry Captains H F Smith, C F Baugh: Lieutenant W N Justice, D Cole.
Indian Medical Department Surgeon B L Dutt:
Veterinary Department Veterinary Surgeons W F Blanshard, F F C Constant.
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