In October 1862 Tewodros II, emperor of Ethiopia, sent a letter to Queen Victoria which asked for an alliance. The British ignored the letter. Nearly two years later, when no response came, Tewodros imprisoned the British envoy and other Europeans in anger. This diplomatic incident led to the formation of an Anglo-Indian military expedition to Ethiopia.
On April 9 or 10, 1868, on the plateau of Argoi below Magdala, British troops defeated the main imperial force. British and Indian battle losses are estimated at 29 wounded while the Abyssinians are believed to have suffered at least 500 killed and thousands wounded in the battle of Arogi. The next day, Tewodros released the prisoners held in Magdala, but it was not enough to save Tewodros. On April 13 (or 15), the British stormed the fortress of Magdala. That evening, Tewodros committed suicide. Soon afterwards, the British burned Magdala and left the country. Total Anglo-India losses are estimated in one source to number 400; total Abyssinian losses are estimated to be 1000. (OnWar.com)
Numerous Canadians were deployed as part of the British Army, including Alexander Dunn, VC. After serving in the Crimean War, Dunn transferred to the 33rd Regiment of Foot and was promoted to the rank of Colonel, becoming the first Canadian to command a British regiment and the youngest Colonel, at the time, in the British Army. In 1868, Dunn and his regiment were sent to the Horn of Africa to take part in the Expedition to Abyssinia, more commonly known as Ethiopia.
Alexander Robert Dunn was killed on January 25, 1868, during a hunting expedition near Senafe, in present day Eritrea, in unusual circumstances, before the military part of the war had even begun. His grave site went largely forgotten until the last days of the Second World War, when it was found by a British officer. Apparently, the Italians, who were allied with Germany during the war and therefore fighting against the Canadian and British armies, had cared for Dunn's grave during the war years. (Veterans Affairs Canada)
Numerous Canadians were deployed as part of the British Army, including Alexander Dunn, VC. After serving in the Crimean War, Dunn transferred to the 33rd Regiment of Foot and was promoted to the rank of Colonel, becoming the first Canadian to command a British regiment and the youngest Colonel, at the time, in the British Army. In 1868, Dunn and his regiment were sent to the Horn of Africa to take part in the Expedition to Abyssinia, more commonly known as Ethiopia.
Alexander Robert Dunn was killed on January 25, 1868, during a hunting expedition near Senafe, in present day Eritrea, in unusual circumstances, before the military part of the war had even begun. His grave site went largely forgotten until the last days of the Second World War, when it was found by a British officer. Apparently, the Italians, who were allied with Germany during the war and therefore fighting against the Canadian and British armies, had cared for Dunn's grave during the war years. (Veterans Affairs Canada)
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