Lt. Robert Richard Halahan

Robert Richard Halahan was also known as Richard Robertus Halahan in records. He was born on 31 December 1795 in Dublin, Ireland. He was the son of John Halahan and Mary Handy.

    He served in the 80th Regiment from 23 July 1812. He enlisted as an ensign on 23 July 1812 without purchase of his commission. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 25 August 1815. He was placed on half pay from October 1817 on the reduction of the Regiment on return from India. However the name was given as Richard Robertus, so could be Richard of Passage, Cork. more work required.. 

    Robert Richard Halahan travelled in 1817 per the "He may be the Lt Halahan who left on the Lucy Maria from Madras to England on 23 May 1817". 

    He served in the 44th Regiment after 14 February 1822. He enlisted in Dublin and was made quartermaster in the 44th Regiment. The Regiment proceeded to India under the command of Colonel Morrison in the Honourable East India Company's ships "Wichelsea", "Warren Hastings" and "Dorsetshire". He served in the East Indies from Dec 1817 to Sep 1817 [sic], then Nov 1832 [sic] to 31 Dec 1829. Robert Richard Halahan was listed in Hart's New army list in 1843 along with J Wallon Halahan, MD, and Richard Newton Christopher Halahan. However his name was not listed on the relevant page - the 44th Regiment (East Essex). 

    Robert Richard Halahan married Sophia Gibbs, daughter of John Gibbs and Mercy Smith, on 20 September 1823 in Dinapore, Bengal Presidency, India. 

    Robert died during the retreat from Kabul in the first Afghan War on 12 January 1842 in Jugdulluck Pass, Afghanistan, aged 46. Only 5 men who had been wounded earlier and were in hospital survived from the Regiment. Quartermaster Robertus Richard Halahan - 44th Foot - killed at Jugdulluk Pass, 12th January 1842. Served at Aracan, 1825. 

    The Times on 17 August 1842 reported on the retreat from Cabul: We have been favoured with the following melancholy account of the death of the greater part of the officers of the 44th Regiment, previous to and during the disastrous retreat from Cabul. ... The account was dated 3 June ... Lieutenant and quartermaster Halahan has been wounded in the shoulder by a ball some time before leaving Cabul, but left it with the regiment; he was riding in the rear with Lt Dodgin as far as Jugdaluck, and there they advanced again at 8 o'clock p.m. I saw him with the remains of the corps after they had gone about two miles on the Jellalabad road. I saw his body lying, together with that of Lt Dodgin, on the snow on the road, partially covered with a cloak, which was saturated with blood, and was to all appearance dead. 

    A tablet has been erected in Alverstoke church, near Gosport to the memory of the officers and soldiers of the 44th Regiment who fell in the Afghan war. Over it are hung the colours of that ill fated regiments. The following is the inscription: - Sacred to the memory of ... Leiutenant and Quarter Master R R Halahan ...who fell upon the field of battle in the disastrous Affghan war of 1841 and 1842. They sank with arms in their hands, unconquered, but overpowered by the united horrors of climate, treachery and barbarous warfare. 

    His will was proved on 3 December 1846 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Will of Robert or Richard Robertus Halahan, Lieutenant in His Majesty's Service and Quarter Master of His Majesty's 44th Regiment of Foot of Caronpore [Cawnpore], East Indies.