Eldred Pottinger was born in Mountpottinger, County Down, and entered the Bengal Artillery as a soldier. In 1837 he travelled through Afghanistan disguised as a horse dealer and took part in the siege of Herat a year later. He was made a Companion of the Bath and succeeded William MacNaghten in Kabul. Though he was held a prisoner there in 1842, he was released and went to Hong Kong on leave. He died there of fever.

Born:	12 August 1811
Died:	15 November 1843