Many thanks Ulsterman Helion publishing have a fine selction of books on the Afghan wars. Helen is the poem that you refer to by Kipling, the one that cotains the lines "When you lay dying on Afghans plains and the women come to cut up your remains.......".I would have checked for myself but I have mislaid my copy of Barrack Room Ballads.
Paul I will try and get the book you suggested.
Many thaks to everyone.