Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 105

The Afghanistan 1878-80 Medal awarded to Private J. Threlfall, who was imprisoned twice for bad behaviour and was sentenced to receive 50 lashes while stationed in Afghanistan

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Ali Musjid (8, Bde./880, Pte. J. Threlfall, 51st Regt.), good very fine

John Threlfall was born on 13 August 1858 at 18 Paul Court Street in Liverpool and found work as a labourer prior to his attestation there with the 8th Brigade on 6 June 1877. He was conditionally discharged from the 2nd Royal Lancashire Milita upon his enlistment, which he had joined the year before on 14 November 1876. Two days after his attestation Threlfall joined the 51st Regiment of Foot in Colchester.

He was posted overseas to India on 3 November 1877 and the following year in November 1878 is recorded as being present in General Samuel Browne's Peshawar Valley Field Force in Afghanistan. The Regiment participated in the first action of the Second Afghan War at the Battle of Ali Musjid on 21 November 1878. General Browne advanced up the Khyber and, after an artillery duel lasting the entire day, eventually outflanked the Afghans who abandoned the fortress that night. Threlfall spent much of the next year in Afghanistan before being briefly sent to Cherat, India on 25 June 1879, returning to Afghanistan a few months later in October.

Back in Afghanistan, Threlfall faced imprisonment and trial for drunkenness on duty and theft. The allegations must have been serious, as on 18 November 1879 he was sentenced to fifty lashes as punishment - though only received twenty-five. The following year the Regiment was on the march from Safed Singh to Umballa in August 1880. Threlfall was however to face further discipline for bad behaviour and was sentenced to confinement twice more in October-November 1882 and again in April-May 1883.

Threlfall finally returned home to England aboard the H.M.S. Serapis on 27 December 1883, after having been stationed overseas for six years. His active service came to an end shortly thereafter and he was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve on 10 January 1884 - character 'bad'. Threlfall was finally discharged from the Reserve on 11 September 1889 at the age of 31. He had since become a fireman and was then residing at 21 Robsart Street in Liverpool; sold together with copied research.

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

Sold for
£230

Starting price
£100