Abyssinian War Medal 1867-8

Obverse: Small bust of Queen Victoria in a diadem and veil (left) surrounded by a band of nine foliated triangles and between each, letters forming the word 'ABYSSINIA'. Reverse: inscription within a laurel wreath and pearl ring: 'BANDSN E. WESTAWAY, H.M.S. OCTAVIA'. Suspended from the Imperial crown and ring by a red ribbon edged with white.

Edwin Westaway (1823-1890) was born in Exeter, the son of John Westaway, a watchmaker. John moved to London, trading in Gower Street North in 1839 and later in Woolwich. While his brother Henry followed his father into watchmaking, Edwin joined an East India Company regiment - the 2nd Bombay (European), as a private. By 1861, Edwin was discharged as his time had expired and was receiving a Chelsea Hospital out pension in Woolwich, moving to Brighton in 1861 and Portsmouth in 1864. In January 1866, he was on the books of HMS 'Octavia' rated 'Bandsman' - the ship was stationed in India at that time. His naval record is not a happy one, his conduct being considered generally poor. He was sent to Trincomalee prison for 21 days in July 1866 and for 14 days for absenting himself when onshore on duty in June 1867. However, he received the service medal for participation in the Abyssinian War of 1867-8. He was discharged to shore on 21 July 1869 and was put on the sick list on 25 March 1871, being sent to Plymouth Hospital with bronchitis. He appears in the 1871 census as a patient there, his occupation listed as 'barber'. He was granted a pedlars certificate in July 1873 in Exeter and died in Gloucestershire in 1890.