Lieutenant-Colonel H Fellowes was an officer who had served in the Indian Mutiny. During the Abyssinian campaign he was appointed Brigade Major to Sir Donald Stewart. From 1871 to 1877 he was second-in-command of the 23rd Pioneers, but subsequently transferred to the 32nd, again as second-in-command. He assumed command of the regiment during the first phase of the 2nd Afghan War, from 20 November 1878.
While the regiment was marching back to India he succumbed to persistent dysentery at Balu Dakar, on the road from Kandahar to Dera Ghazi Khan. His death occurred on 9 April 1879. He was regarded with great affection by the officers and men under his command.
