Major Thomas Moorhouse, 35th Bengal Native Infantry, 1855 (c)

Oil on canvas by unknown artist, 1855 (c).

Moorhouse served in Afghanistan in 1838-1842 and is shown here wearing the Ghuznee Medal 1839, the Jellalabad Medal 1841-42 and the Kabul Medal 1841-42.

After occupying Kandahar in April 1839, Moorhouses' regiment took part in the storming of the fortress at Ghazni in July. The 35th then joined the garrison left in Afghanistan after Shah Shujah was restored as ruler in place of Dost Mohammed. They then joined Major-General Sir Robert Sale's withdrawal from Kabul to Jellalabad as part of the reduction of British forces stationed in the Afghan capital. Sale arrived at Jellalabad on 13 November 1841 and the 35th, commanded by Colonel Monteith, were soon engaged in the construction of fortifications and in sorties against Afghan tribesmen. On 13 January 1842 Dr Brydon arrived at the fort as one of the few survivors of the massacre that had befallen General Elphinstone's retreat from Kabul. Soon after Jellalabad was besieged by an Afghan army. The siege lasted 155 days until a force known as the Army of Retribution under Major-General George Pollock relieved them. The 35th were the only Bengal Infantry regiment to receive the honour 'Jellalabad'.