THE EXTREMELY FINE INDIA GENERAL SERVICE AND ABYSSINIA PAIR AWARDED TO A LIEUTENANT, LATER MAJOR-GENERAL, WHO DURING THE UMBEYLA CAMPAIGN, WAS TWICE WOUNDED WHEN 250 FANATICS GHAZIS ARMED WITH SWORDS, LAUNCHED THEMSELVES INTO THE RANKS OF THE 23RD AND 32ND PIONEERS. IN THE DESPERATE HAND TO HAND FIGHTING, THAT LASTED NO MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES, 5 BRITISH OFFICERS AND NUMEROUS OTHER RANKS WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED. HE LATER TOOK PART IN THE ABYSSINIAN WAR WHERE HIS REGIMENT SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY HALF THE CASUALTIES OF THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN IN ABYSSINIA

INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854, CLASP, UMBEYLA ‘LIEUT. F. H. B. MARSH, 32ND PUNJAB PIONS.’, ABYSSINIA 1867 ‘CAPTAIN F. H. B. MARSH, 23RD REG. N.I.’

Frank Hale Berwick Marsh was born in Patna, bengal, on 26 July 1841, the son of Colonel Hippisley Marsh, Indian Staff Corps, late 18th Bengal Lancers. Commissioned Lieutenant on the General List on 4 November 1860, he served in the campaign on the North West Frontier of India in 1863 with the 32nd Punjab Pioneers, taking part in the Umbeyla campaign.

The Umbeyla campaign, undertaken between 20 October and 23 December 1863, was directed against Muslim tribesmen in Sittana and focused on the village of Malka. The tribesmen had harboured Indian mutineers in 1857 and were still resisting British rule over a decade later. The Yusafzai Field Force under General Sir Neville Chamberlain advanced up the Umbeyla Pass against strong opposition. Heavy casualties were sustained during attempts to hold the 'Eagle's Nest' and 'Crag Piquet'. The troops were organised into two brigades which drove the rebels out of the valley and a small party then burnt Malka.

The 32nd Punjab Pioneers formed part of General Garvock’s force that attacked the village of Laloo and Conicall hill on 15 December 1863. The following day, during the advance on Umbeyla. gaps appeared in the advancing British column and at this moment, 250 of the most determined fanatics armed with swords, launched themselves into the ranks of the 23rd and 32nd Pioneers. In the desperate hand to hand fighting, that lasted no more than a few minutes, 5 British Officers (including Lieutenant March) were killed or wounded, as were numerous other ranks. The Pioneers were quickly rallied by Major Wright and Roberts VC (later Lord Roberts), leaving 200 of the brave Ghazis.

Lieutenant Marsh was twice wounded during the attack and would later be mentioned in despatches. The expedition itself suffered 238 dead and 670 wounded, this including 15 Officer killed and 21 wounded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambela_campaign

Having been advanced to Captain, Marsh served in the Abyssinian War and was present with the 23rd Pioneers at the battle of Arogee where the regiment suffered approximately half the casualties of the entire campaign in Abyssinia. Promoted Captain on 1 November 1868, Major on 2 May 1878, and Lieutenant-Colonel on 10 June 1888, Marsh transferred to the Unemployed List with the rank of Major-General on 12 November 1897. He died in Folkestone, Kent, on 25 January 1923.

Condition GVF, lovely patina and original ribbons. Officially engraved naming to Abyssinia. Ex DNW 2010. A fine and scarce officer Umbeyla casualty pair.