3-065-766 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Ashantee War: the return home - arrival of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Portsmouth, 1874. Third Anglo-Ashanti War - the British Army in West Africa. 'The British soldiers and their skilful General, lately employed in the chastisement of a barbarian King of black warriors in West Africa, have returned victorious to receive a hearty welcome and just applause from their fellow-countrymen of the United Kingdom. The arrival of several troop-ships or transports conveying these regiments home from Cape Coast Castle has kept Portsmouth and London in pleasing excitement since Thursday week...The troops, wearing their soiled grey tunics and trousers and pith helmets, as during the late campaign, instead of their regimental uniform, marched through [Portsmouth] High-street amidst the cheers and hat-waving or handkerchief-fluttering salutes of a great crowd of people'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.