AFGHANISTAN MEDAL

AFGHANISTAN 1878, CLASP AHMED KHEL TO A GUNNER OF ‘A’ BATTERY. ‘B’ BRIGADE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WHO PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLL DURING THE BATTLE THEY WERE CHARGED BY SEVERAL HUNDRED GHAZIS WHO REACHED THE MUZZLES OF THE GUNS BEFORE BEING REPULSED BY INTENSE SHRAPNEL FIRE

AFGHANISTAN, 1878-1880, CLASP, AHMED KHEL ‘3442, GUNR. F. BEST, A/B, R.H.A.’.

At the Battle of Ahmed Khel on 19th April 1880, this Battery was situated in advance of the Infantry, and, without support they were charged by several hundred Ghazis who reached the muzzles of the guns before being repulsed by intense shrapnel fire. 168 clasps were issued to “A” Battery / “B” Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery.

In describing the action Major May said that “no Artillery has ever been called upon to repel a more determined charge, one which no Europeans would have ventured to make at all.”

The following day, at the fort of Ghunzi, two of the original guns lost in 1842 were recovered by the Battery. One is currently still in India while the other, the Ahmed Khel gun, is owned by the current Battery.

This battery is now F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F_(Sphinx)_Parachute_Battery_Royal_Horse_Artillery

Condition VF, some small EK’s and suspension somewhat loose.