31/05/2026
๐ Officers of the Abyssinia Campaign #1
As part of our recent project to research and reinterpret the objects in our collection relating to the 1868 Abyssinia Campaign, we've been looking into the lives of the King's Own Officers involved in the expedition. We'll be posting the results here over the next few weeks, beginning with...
๐๏ธ Charles Edward Honghton Billing (1839-1875)
Pictured reclining at the bottom right of this group portrait, Charles was born in Dublin on 10 April 1839 and baptized in the same year at St Stephenโs Church. He was the son of Theobald Billing, a solicitor, and Diana Ball. He spent his childhood in Dublin, residing at 41 Upper Mount Street, growing up alongside one brother and two sisters. When he reached the age of 18 Charles embarked on military service, enrolling as an Ensign in the 4th Kingโs Own Regiment on 15 March 1857 and serving, the year after, as a Lieutenant in the fight against the rebellion of the Indian Mutiny campaign (1857-1858). After six years of military experience, on 8 August 1864, Charles gained the rank of Captain and, in the same position, fought in Abyssinia.
The 1870s were marked by personal tragedies for Charles: his father died on 24 March 1873 at the age of 85, and his brother Theobald on 3 October of the same year. Charles himself left the service in 1874 and died the year after, aged only 36.
๐ Find out more about the Abyssinia Project online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/museums/kings-own-royal-regiment-museum
(If clicking the link doesn't work, just copy it into your browser.)
๐ Or visit the museum to see the new displays. Open 10:30-4pm every day except Weds & Thurs.