Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 243

The Afghanistan 1878-80 Medal awarded to Private D. Sing, 1st Bombay Native Infantry (Grenadiers), who was wounded in action at the Battle of Maiwand

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Gl. No.1194 Pt. Dhan Sing. 1. Grs. N. I.), good very fine

One of 55 men of the 1st Bombay Native Infantry to be wounded during the Battle.

Dhan Sing served with the 1st Bombay Native Infantry (Grenadiers) during the Second Afghan War where they were part of the Kandahar Field Force. They operated around the Bolan Pass in the early phase of the war, later marching to Kandahar in February 1880 and joining Burrows' Brigade there in July as it assembled to confront Ayub Khan.

The British forces marched to meet the army of the Wali of Kandahar, however upon their arrival they discovered these troops had mutinied and were forced to disperse them, seizing several smoothbore guns in the process. While the rest of the British troops pursued the mutineers into the Helmand Valley, the Grenadiers remained as camp guards at Girishk.

After the rebels were defeated, Burrows continued his march aiming to meet Ayub Khan at Maiwand, in this he failed however, coming upon the prospective Emir's army as it negotiated the hills beyond the village. Burrows deployed his men into line before a shallow ravine with his right flank anchored on the village of Khig. The Grenadiers were stationed on the far left of the line, finding themselves upon the open field with little cover available.

Burrows deployed his guns to meet Ayub Khan's larger compliment of artillery, however they pushed too far forward and the General was obliged to support them, advancing his line over the ravine into an exposed position. An unequal artillery duel began and the Grenadiers soon found themselves taking heavy losses due to the lack of cover on their flank.

Worse than that the Afghan cavalry began to work around their flanks and the Ghazis used the networks of gulleys and ravines to advance within gunshot of the British line, where they began to snipe constantly at the line. To stabilise the position Burrows sent two companies of Jacob's Rifles to the left, reinforcing the Grenadiers, however this was to prove a fatal move as these troops were fairly new recruits with little training or experience.

As the heavy fire took its toll on both units, the British officers began to take considerable losses, removing the leadership and steady hand they were exercising over their men. Soon the Afghan line began to advance and at a crucial moment the smoothbore guns, also operating on the left flank, ran out of ammunition and began to withdraw. The men of Jacob's Rifles assumed they were fleeing and, without enough officers to stop them, began a headlong flight through the ranks of the British line.

This flight started the general collapse of the line with the Grenadiers facing the weight of the Afghan attack alone with their flank open. Many withdrew directly towards Mundabad to their rear however a large number were rolled up the line towards Khig where the 66th Foot were making their famous stand. The fierce nature of the fighting is underscored by the losses the Grenadiers suffered, with a casualty rate of 66%. It is a testament to their discipline and bravery that they did not break before the new recruits, despite being under fire for longer.

Their casualty rate makes for grim reading with two British and eight Native officers killed with 355 other ranks. Alongside two British and four Native officers wounded with 55 other ranks, amongst the latter was Sing, although he was still lucky to escape with his life. Two companies of the Grenadiers saw action at Kandahar and it is perhaps due to his injuries that Sing did not.

The Regiment left Kandahar not long after the battle, arriving at Bombay in December 1880. Their medals were issued to Calcutta on 9 November 1882 and Sing likely received his having recovered from his wounds; sold together with typed and handwritten research.

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

Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£550