A ceremonial drum was seized at Magdala and sliced into three pieces, so that it could be handed out as battle honours to three regiments involved in the raid.

The present day descendants of those regiments have refused to return the drum pieces, despite appeals.

The pieces went to the present day Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the King’s Own Royal Borderers and the Duke of Wellington’s regiment.

The third that is pictured here is still owned by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Soon after the campaign, it was coated in Victorian silver and mounted on an Ethiopian shield, also taken from Magdala. (more…)