3-065-828 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Col. F. W. Festing, C.B., Royal Marine Artillery, 1874. Engraving from a photograph by Messrs. Elliott and Fry. 'This gallant officer is now Sir Francis Festing, having been made a Knight of the Order of St. Michael and. St George...[Festing fought in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War:] 'The Fantees, however, hung back, and it became necessary to send for assistance. Lieutenant Jones was accordingly dispatched to Colonel Festing with the following lines hurriedly written in pencil on a scrap of paper: "Dear Colonel, Please send twenty men; 2nd West Annamaboes dwindled to about eight." Unhappily, the aid came but too late, Colonel Festing arriving on the scene only just in time to see his noble young comrade receive his death wound. A bullet fired from the adjoining bush had struck poor Wilmot in the region of the heart, and, raising his unwounded arm above his head, he fell on his face and instantly expired. Colonel Festing immediately rushed forward, amid a storm of bullets, and bore his body to the rear, receiving in this noble act of self-disregard a severe wound in the hip...In recognition of this useful service Colonel Festing has been made a Companion of the Bath'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.