Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 54

x A Superb Campaign Combination Group of Four to Lieutenant-Colonel J.C.H. McCaskill, Queen´s Own Corps of Guides Infantry, One of Three Officers to Accompany the Guides Infantry on Their Famous Forced March of 32 Miles in 16 Hours Under the Most Hostile of Conditions to the Relief of Malakand, 27.7.1895; He Was Later Inspector General of Police, East African Protectorate, 1902-06 India General Service 1854-95, one clasp, Waziristan 1894-5 (Lieutt. T.C.H. McCaskill 4th Punjab Infy.); India General Service 1895-1902, V.R., three clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897 (Lieutt. J.C.H. McCaskill Q.O. Corps of Guides), surname partially officially corrected; Africa General Service 1902-56, E.VII.R., one clasp, Jubaland (Lieut: J.C.H. McCaskill, I.S.C.), surname partially officially corrected; India General Service 1908-36, E.VII.R., one clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Captn: J.C.H. McCaskill. Q.O.C. Guides. Infy:), top lugs removed from all campaign medals where relevant, light contact marks, generally very fine or better (4) Estimate £ 800-1,000 Lieutenant-Colonel John Charles Henry McCaskill, born 1872; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Irish Regiment, 1892; Lieutenant 1893; transferred to the Indian Army the following year and served with the 4th Punjab Infantry during the Waziristan Expedition; transferred to the Queen´´s Own Corps of Guides, 3.1.1895, and was 1 of 3 British Officers who accompanied the Guides Infantry on their historic forced march to the relief of Malakand, 27.7.1897; they covered the 32 miles from their base at Mardan to the Malakand in just 16 hours, an incredible feat under Frontier conditions, especially as the last 7 miles meant a climb to a height of 2,000 feet above the plain, the whole march undertaken in conditions of intense heat; Winston Churchill´´s The Malakand Field Force offers further insight, ´´this wonderful feat was accomplished without impairing the efficiency of the soldiers, who were sent into the piquet line and became engaged as soon as they arrived...Then they breasted the long ascent to the top of the pass, encouraged by the sound of firing which grew louder at every step´´; The History of the Guides 1846-1922 gives that, ´´on arrival at the Malakand 100 men under Lieut. McCaskill were sent for the night to reinforce No. 8 Piquet near Castle Rock held by the 45th Sikhs´´; McCaskill saw further action in Bajaur, Utmen Khel and Buner; he was seconded to the East African Rifles, 1900, and accompanied them on their campaign in Jubaland against the Ogaden Somalis; Captain 10.7.1901; served as Inspector-General of Police, East African Protectorate, 6.12.1902-5.12.1906; he returned to the Guides for further service on the North West Frontier in the Mohmand Country, 1908; transferred Major 73rd Carnatic Infantry, January 1910; Lieutenant-Colonel, Officer Commanding, 88th Carnatic Infantry, 11.6.1917; retired 1921.

Sold for
£1,700