THE AFGHANISTAN MEDALS, 1839–1880.
Reading edition
For services in Afghanistan from the year 1839 to 1880 ten medals altogether have been granted, including those given for the storming of Ghuznee, and the defence of Jellalabad and Kelat-i-Ghilzie. The Ghuznee medal[82] was given by Shah Soojah, the restored King of Afghanistan, to the British troops present at the storming of that place, under Sir John Keane, July 22nd. and 23rd., 1839. This medal is silver, having on the obverse a view of the fortress, with the name “Ghuznee” underneath. Reverse: A laurel wreath, encircling a mural crown, with the date, “23rd. July,” above, and “1839” below. Ribbon, half crimson and half green; no clasp. Permission was granted by the Queen in 1841 to wear this medal. For the successful defence of Jellalabad two medals were given. The first was granted by Lord Ellenborough, Governor-General of India—silver. Obverse: A mural crown, with “Jellalabad” inscribed above, on the reverse the date of the victorious sortie, “VII. April, 1842.” The second Jellalabad medal, designed by Wyon, was issued by the English Government, and was intended to be worn in place of the first[83], but from its rarity it seems that but few men took advantage of the offered exchange. Obverse: Head of the Queen, crowned, with the inscription, “Victoria Vindex.” Reverse: Victory, with the Union Jack in her left hand, and laurel wreaths in her right, flying over the fortress of 234Jellalabad; above the figure are the words, “Jellalabad, VII. April,” and in the exergue, “MDCCCXLII.” Ribbon: Rainbow pattern for both medals; no clasp. The Kelat-i-Ghilzie medal was also granted by Lord Ellenborough to the defenders of that place—silver. Obverse: A laurel wreath, encircling a shield, inscribed, “Kelat-i-Ghilzie,” surmounted by a mural crown. Reverse: A trophy of arms, inscribed “Invicta,” with the date MDCCCXLII. underneath. Ribbon, rainbow pattern. For services at Ghuznee, Cabul, and Candahar, five distinct medals were distributed, all having on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the legend, “Victoria Vindex,” but the inscription on the reverse varying as follows:—
(1.) “Candahar,” “Ghuznee,” and “Cabul,” 1842, under each other, given to those men who served during the whole campaign.
(2.) “Candahar,” 1842, given to men who were engaged with the enemy from January 1st. to August 10th., 1842.
(3.) “Candahar” and “Ghuznee,” given to men present at both places only.
(4.) “Ghuznee” and “Cabul,” given to the troops who went with General Nott from Ghuznee to Cabul, 6th to 17th of September, 1842.
(5.) “Cabul,” given to those who reached Cabul after September 16th, 1842; no clasps; ribbon, rainbow pattern. The reverse of these medals, excepting that for Ghuznee and Cabul, are alike in design, the names “Candahar,” &c., being inscribed within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown, with the date 1842 below. The medal for Ghuznee and Cabul has the names inscribed within a double wreath of laurel, with the crown over, and in the exergue “1842.” The obverse of this medal, and of that given for Cabul, has a laurel wreath surrounding the Queen’s head. The authority for these medals to be worn by the Queen’s troops was notified to the army in India, January 25th, 1843. The medal given for the campaigns of 1878, 1879, and 1880 is of silver. Obverse: Head of the Queen, veiled and crowned, with the inscription, “Victoria Regina et Imperatrix.” Reverse: An elephant bearing a mountain gun; in foreground a mounted British officer, cavalry with lances, following on the march; in the background, mountains; above, the word, “Afghanistan,” and the dates 1878, 1879, and 1880 in the exergue. Clasps inscribed “Ali Musjid,” “Peiwar Kotal,” “Charasia,” “Kabul,” “Ahmed Khel,” and “Kandahar,” were also granted, the greatest number worn with the medal being four. Ribbon, green centre with crimson borders.
For the march of General Roberts from Kabul to Candahar a bronze star was given, made from guns captured at Cabul. The star is of five points, suspended from an Imperial crown; in the centre a monogram, composed of the letters “V. R. I.,” surrounded by the words “Kabul to Kandahar,” with the date 1880 underneath. Ribbon, rainbow pattern. On the reverse of the star is engraved the rank, name, and corps of the recipient.
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