Medals of the Second Afghan War, 1878-1880

  

International Electronic Phaleristic Encyclopedia

by Edward S. Haynes
(© 2002)

       

This page focuses on the awards of the Second Afghan War, 1878-80.

The phaleristic history of Afghanistan – like the remainder of its history – is complex and at places vague. What is presented here is almost inexpressively preliminary, but – as Afghan awards almost totally unknown – “something is better than nothing”.  Details and corrections are welcomed.

This page represents a considerable amount of effort and original research work and users are requested (under terms of both copyright and normal academic usage) to make reference to this page (i.e. link it as a whole) rather that extract and “borrow” information. Thank you.

 

Afghanistan Medal

The medal was sanctioned on 19 March 1881 for service in campaigns in Afghanistan from 22 November 1878 to 26 May 1879 and from  3 September 1879 to 20 September 1880 (excluding the period 17 May-2 September 1879).

The obverse of the 31-mm silver medal had the crowned and draped head of Queen Victoria with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX". The reverse depicts troops on the march -- including an exotic elephant battery -- with the legend "AFGHANISTAN" at the top and the dates "1878-79-80" in the exurge. Medals are named on the end, but in a wide range of styles that calls for further detailed study. The medal is suspended by a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The ribbon is 32 mm, green with crimson edge stripes.

Clasps were authorized for the medal under the prevailing policy of the period that, in most cases, such bars should represent battles and not mere operations. In some cases, the influence of the commanding officer of the expedition, General Sir Frederick Roberts, VC, was employed to bend this policy to his strong will.

Curiously -- and perhaps tellingly -- no clasp was awarded for the British defeat at Maiwand, 27 July 1880.

A wide -- and, frankly, bewildering -- range of units received the medal without a bar. Other that the units detailed for bars above, these no-bar medals could include:

While discussion was given to the award of bronze medals for non-combatant service, such soldiers were, under the prevailing rules of the day, excluded form medal eligibility. The existence of bronze medals for this war is, therefore, impossible to explain as a product of contemporary policy.

Kabul to Kandahar Star

Awarded to the (approximately) 10,000 men who advanced with General Roberts from Kabul on 9 August 1880 to relieve Kandahar on 31 August 1880. The medal was approved by the Queen on 19 March 1891 and approval seems to have come only due to Roberts' force of personality.

The medal, made in the model of the Victoria Cross from captured Afghan cannon, is a 62x48 mm bronze five-pointed rayed star (point downward). The obverse  has the monogram "VRI" in the center and is surrounded by the legend "KABVL TO KANDAHAR / 1880". It is suspended from a ring by a crown. The reverse is plain, except for a hollow center around which the recipient's name is usually engraved. The star represents the final reincarnation of the "India Ribbon", established in the medals for the First Afghan War: 38 mm, a rainbow of red, shading into white, shading into yellow, shading into white, and shading finally into blue. Recipients of this medal would have received the Afghanistan Medal with at least the clasp for "Kandahar".

Qualifying troops included:

 

Gallantry Awards

Gallantry decorations for the entire campaign:

Bahawalpur

While no conclusive details have been forthcoming, evidence has been discovered that Bahawalpur State issued a medal for this war.

 

Medals of Afghanistan

Awards for Service in Afghanistan

First Afghan War, 1839-42

Second Afghan War, 1878-80

Third Afghan War, 1919

Fourth Afghan War, 1979-89

Fifth Afghan War, 2001—

Sources

Chapman, Mike, "Victoria Cross: Second Afghan War," http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/subcamp.asp?camp=4

Gordon, L. L., British Battles and Medals, 4th ed., revised by Edward C. Joslin (London: Spink & Son Ltd., 1971)

Haynes, Edward S., "The Indian Order of Merit (1837-1947)," http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/india/medals/IOM/IOM.html

Hypher, P. P., comp., Deeds of Valour Performed by Indian Officers and Soldiers, during the Period from 1860 to 1925 (Simla: Army Department, 1927)

Joslin, E. C., A. R. Litherland, and B. T. Simpkin, British Battles & Medals (London: Spink, 1988)

Mayo, John Horsley, Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, 2 vols. (Westminster: Archibald Constable and Co., 1897)

Mills, T. F., "Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-1880," http://www.regiments.org/milhist/wars/19thcent/78afghan.htm

"Second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878-1880" (On War), http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/all/afghan/fafguk1878.htm

The assistance of the following is gratefully acknowledged:

http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/medals/Afghan/second.html
last revised 1 November 2002
Ed Haynes

 

Hit Counter

 

1