Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 241

Pair: Private D. Marshall, 72nd Highlanders

Afghanistan 1878-80, 4 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (58B/397. Pte. D. Marshall. 72nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (58B/397 Private D. Marshall 72nd Highlanders), pitting and minor contact marks, nearly very fine (2)

David Marshall was born at Kilsyth in 1856 and enlisted from the Militia with the 58th Brigade Depot at Stirling on 10 August 1874, having previously worked as a miner. He clearly did not take to the Military life, deserting the next year in November 1875, only to be apprehended in August the next year.

Two weeks later he was handed over to the 91st Highlanders as a deserter and imprisoned until October whereupon he was released into the unit. He transferred to the 72nd Highlanders on 2 November 1876, joining them in India the next year month on 2 December 1876.

Marshall served there for the next two years, entering the Second Afghan War with the Battalion as part of the Kurrum Field Force and seeing action soon after at the Battle of Peiwar Kotal. They were part of the flanking attack up the Spingawi Kotal feature alongside the 5th Gurkhas, attacking up an extremely sheer slope they drove the enemy from their positions and opened the way to Kabul.

After the Treaty of Gandamak they were again called into action, this time at the Battle of Charasia where they formed part of Baker's Brigade, to attack the heights directly. They took the first line of hills and advanced to the second where the Afghans were flanked by two companies of the 92nd Highlanders, this dual strike proved successful and the Afghan centre crumbled.

Present at Kabul during the winter they saw Operations there until the final attack upon the Sherpur Cantonment saw the Afghan rebels dispersed. The 72nd joined Roberts on his Kabul to Kandahar march in the wake of the disaster at Maiwand and they were subsequently in on the final battle of the war.

In this action they were on the southern edge of the British line opposite the village of Gundigan, again alongside the 5th Gurkhas. They carried the village at bayonet point and such was the savagery of the fighting that their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brownlow, was killed.

Marshall survived the action and returned to Britain the next year, listed as time expired; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320