War Medals and Their HistorySteward, William Augustus
History
War Medals and Their History
Steward, William Augustus
Great Britain. Army -- Medals, badges, decorations, etc.; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Medals, badges, decorations, etc.
=Charasia.=--On the death of Shere Ali, his son Yakoub Khan, who had
been imprisoned by his father, ascended the throne, and, recognising
the futility of the contest, agreed by the treaty of Gandamak to vest
the control of his country in the Indian Government, to allow a British
Resident at Cabul, and to accept a subsidy of six lakhs of rupees while
the Khyber Pass was to be controlled by us, and the Kurram, Pishi, and
Sibi Passes were to be attached to the Indian Empire. On June 17th,
1879, Sir Louis Cavagnari set out with his secretary, Mr. Jenkins, and
Dr. Kelly, and an escort of 25 cavalry and 50 infantry of the Guides
under Lieutenant Hamilton. Cabul was reached on July 24th, and on the
night of September 2nd the Residency was attacked, and after a gallant
defence Sir Louis and his officers and almost all the escort were
murdered. This outrage necessitated prompt action, and General Roberts
hurried up from Simla. Pushing past Peiwar Kotal, the Shaturgardan Pass
was occupied before the enemy could reach it. At Kushi the Ameer rode
into camp and said that he had been dethroned by his rebellious troops.
No one believed him. Pressing as rapidly as possible on to Cabul, Sir
Frederick Roberts found that the Afghan army occupied a very strong
position at Charasia. On October 6th he stormed the place, and after a
determined defence the Afghans fled towards Cabul in great confusion,
leaving behind them 20 guns and 2 standards. Next day the British army
marched on Cabul, and entered with the band of the 67th playing at
its head; by October 8th General Roberts was occupying the fortified
cantonments of Sherpur, in which he found 73 guns. The British losses
were 20 killed and 70 wounded.
[Illustration: Edwardian Variety.
Medal for Abor.
INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDALS, 1908.]
[Illustration: (Reverse.) (Obverse.)
SILVER MEDAL FOR SUDAN, 1910.]
The regiments engaged were the 67th, 72nd, and 92nd; one battery Royal
Horse Artillery; one battery Royal Field Artillery; two Mountain
Batteries, and 9th Lancers. Native regiments: 5th Goorkas; 5th Punjab
Infantry; 5th Punjab Cavalry; 12th Bengal Cavalry; 14th Bengal Lancers;
Bengal Sappers and Miners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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