Expedition to Ethiopia 2009

The following is a letter received by RHQ The Yorkshire Regiment in York, from the expedition organiser

Dear Col O'Kelly,
 
My company, TRAILQUEST, is planning an expedition to Ethiopia to follow the route of Gen Napiers expedition there in the 1867-68 Abyssinian Campaign.( Details below).
 
We will be recruiting a team of six + two reserves and are contacting all modern regiments that have a historical association with the original campaign to see if anyone is interested. The RA and RE have both put pieces in their regimental magazines and there has been some interest already.
 
As you will be aware the 33rd Foot (Duke of Wellington's) played a role in the campaign hence my email to you.
 
I am happy to provide further information and application packs for those interested in what will be a major, and challenging, expedition.
 
Selection interviews will be held at The Royal Geographical Society later this year and training will be done at our base in Cornwall.
 
I do hope you will be interested and I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
 
Regards
 
Capt (Retd) R P Jeynes BA Hons MA FRGS

Contact:  Capt Richard Jeynes;
info@trailquest.org.uk ; 
Berern, Rillaton, Callington, Cornwall PL17 7PA
tel: 01579 362849

Expedition Brief - 
THE NAPIER TRAIL
ETHIOPIA 2009

A Trailquest expedition led by Captain Richard P Jeynes BA Hons MA FRGS

Magdala is a dramatic hill top fortress located in a remote part of Northern Ethiopia. In 1868 it became the focus of one of the most dramatic rescue missions ever carried out by the British Army when General Sir Robert Napier led a military force of 12000 troops, 8000 auxiliaries and 35000 pack animals (including 44 elephants) over 720km of desolate terrain to rescue British hostages held there by King Tewodros II.

The most expensive military operation ever the troops faced huge difficulties in penetrating the hostile countryside. A port was constructed, roads built, a railway line laid and supply depots built and defended. Cutting edge technology was employed with the construction of a desalination plant to change sea water to drinking water and the latest signalling equipment was used for the first time by the Army.

Every item of kit, from the heaviest cannon to the smallest ration pack, had to be transported on foot or by baggage animal to the fortress before the Army could launch the assault to capture the fort.

After bitter fighting the fortress was captured, the hostages were released and King Tewodros lay dead having shot himself in the final moments of the siege.

It was an operation of epic proportions and a testament to the “can do” philosophy of the Victorian age and yet it remains relatively unknown today.

The site of Magdala was surveyed by the Scientific Exploration Society in 1996 but in 2009/10 Trailquest intend to mount a motorcycle expedition to follow as closely as possible the route taken by Napier from his initial base to the top of the hill fort.

It will be an extreme journey that will follow the original trail, replicate the hardship faced by the troops at the time and record what remains of the original route. It will tell a fascinating story of an epic event in British Military history.

Further Expedition Detail

Date:  Not yet finalised but probably end of 2009, or January/February 2010. 

Duration:  In country between two - three weeks.
 
Further Requirements: Motorcycle licence.  Off road training can be provided. Some previous expedition experience useful but not essential.

Applications   Application forms available from  Capt Richard Jeynes (see above).  Selection by interview. 
 
Cost:  £2225. A medical will be required ( at applicants expense ) on final selection.

Team:  We are looking to recruit a team of six + two reserves.  Serving or retired / soldier or officer / regular or TA - we are open to all applicants.