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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 389

Pair: Drummer G. Boston, 67th Regiment of Foot

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (2197. Drumr. G. Boston. 67th Foot.); Army Long Service & Good Conduct, V.R. (1465. Drumr. G. Boston. Hamps: R.), official correction to regimental number on L.S. & G.C., light contact marks and some edge wear, otherwise very fine (2)

George Boston was born circa 1850 in Tamworth, Staffordshire where he later enrolled for service with the 1st King's Own Staffordshire Militia on 30 October 1869. He also worked as a labourer until attesting with the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot at Lichfield when he was 20 years old, on 22 May 1872. Boston found himself posted overseas very soon into his service and disembarked at Burma only a few months later on 1 November. He served in Burma until being stationed in the East Indies from 4 March 1876, where he was promoted Drummer on 8 October 1877.

Boston and his Regiment entered the Second Afghan War on 8 April 1879 when they crossed the Afghanistan border and marched to Fort Kurram. They joined in General Frederick Roberts' advance on Kabul and were with him at Charasia when the advance was blocked by a large force of Afghans in the surrounding hills. While present for this engagement the 67th Foot did not play an active role in the ensuing fight. A few days after the successful occupation of Kabul, the Regiment was involved in the conflict at Doaba. There, they were part of a company that was attacked by Safis while out foraging. The unit suffered seven casualties in the resulting skirmish but the occasion was also marked by displays of gallantry that were met with the award of three D.C.M.s to the Regiment. They next saw action at the Battle of Kabul in December 1879 and were involved in the heavy fighting around the city, sustaining 14 casualties. The next year the 67th Foot re-crossed the Afghan Frontier and returned to India on 1 September 1890, proceeding to Bangalore.

Boston was married on 30 December 1880 to Adeline Caroline Beatrice Phillips with whom he went on to have five children between 1883 and 1890. The 67th Foot became the 2/Hampshire Regiment in July 1881 upon their amalgamation with the 38th Foot, and the next year also saw Boston revert to Private ahead of returning to England on 15 November 1883. He was reappointed Drummer a few years later in March 1885, and was posted as a Drummer to the 2/Hampshire Regiment on 18 February 1888. Boston was successfully recommended for a L.S. & G.C. on 1 July 1890 but in December 1891 reverted to Private at his own request and was posted to the 1/Hampshire Regiment. Again posted overseas, Boston served in India from December 1891 with his new unit, where in February 1892 he was again appointed Drummer. Shortly before he returned home to England for the last time in October 1893, Boston again requested to revert to Private. He was finally discharged after over 21 years of service with the Colours on 17 October 1893; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£140