Description
Abyssinia Medal, 3414 Hugh Fetherston, H.M. 45th Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment of Foot, an Irishman from Kiltrustan, Roscommon, Connacht.
During the Abyssinian Campaign of 1866-7, the 45th Regiment of Foot, with their newly granted title as the “Sherwood Foresters”, were part of General Sir Robert Napier’s Force which marched 300 miles in less than a month and assisted in the capture of the Mountain Fortress of Magdala.
With full copy service records.
Reverse officially embossed: “5414 H. Fetherston H.M. 45th Regt”
Suspension repaired as commonly seen due to the fragile suspension arrangement.
Hugh Fetherston, was born in Kiltrustan, County Roscommon, Connacht (Connaught), Ireland circa 1840.
Standing about 4 feet 6 inches tall and only 14 years old, he joined up with the Army on 20th December 1854, at Athlone.
Claimed a bounty of 2 Guineas on enlistment.
Saw the following service over a very long career over 22 years:
Home, 14th Dec 1854 – 6th Aug 1855
Cape of Good Hope, 7th Aug 1855 – 2nd June 1859
Home, 3rd June 1859 – 23rd July 1865
East Indies, 24th July 1865 – 1st Feb 1868
Abyssinia, 2nd February 1868 – 31st May 1868
East Indies, 1st June 1868 – 9th Apr 1870
Home, 10th April 1870 – 8th Feb 1875
East Indies, 9th Feb 1875 – 22nd March 1878
Home, 23rd March 1878 – 22nd March 1881.
This was his only medal, not earning the LSGC due to a few periods in prison and his service being only “Latterly Good”.
After his discharge he first lived in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire during 1881, where he was listed as the “Cook to Establishment, Domestic Servant.” living and working at the Union Workhouse as the Cook.
Later lived in West India Docks, Plumstead, Woolwich, London, being entered there on the 1891 Census as a Boarder.
He died soon afterwards during December 1893 in London.
