| Place | Asia: Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM16898.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Medal |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Maker |
Henry Jenkins and Sons |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, West Midlands, Birmingham |
| Date made | c 1880-1881 |
Kabul to Khandahar Star : Trooper W H Clarke, 15th Hussars
Description
Kabul to Kandahar Star. Obverse: A rayed five pointed star, with balls between the points, surmounted by a crown incorporating a loose ring suspender. The centre has the 'VRI' cypher surrounded by 'KABUL TO KANDAHAR 1880' within a circle. Reverse: Plain with the recipients details engraved around the centre circle indentation. Fitted with a piece of unofficial faded blue, white and red stitched ribbon. Four medals are attached to a silver slotted brooch bar engraved with a crude foliage design that has the reverse pin missing.
History / Summary
Awarded to 860 Trooper William Henry Clarke, who served in the British Army with the 15th Hussars, in the Second Afghan War (1878-1880). He later served in the Boer War in the Diamonds Fields Horse, a British irregular unit, before migrating to Australia. Although this medal is correctly named, the 15th Hussars were not amongst the troops that took part in the epic 300 mile march to Kandahar. It is possible that Clarke was temporarily attached to another unit, making him eligible for the Star.