Description
Second Afghan War Medal “E” Battery “B” Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, a probable survivor of the battle of Maiwand.
Afghanistan 1878-80, clasp, Kandahar, 4333. Eric. M. Sullivan, E. Batt: B.Bde. R.H.A.
Correct on the Afghan Medal roll for medal and clasp serving with “E” Battery, “B” Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, during the Second Afghan War. At Maiwand, on that disastrous day of 27 July 1880, “E” Battery, “B” Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery played a most conspicuous roll. It suffered as a consequence 2 officers and 19 other ranks killed, and 2 officers and 14 other ranks wounded, gaining in the process two Victoria Crosses and eight Distinguished Conduct Medals. Retiring to Kandahar, E/B., R.H.A. served during the siege of Kandahar, with three guns mounted on the Herat facing wall and one on the Idgah Gate. It is very possible that Sullivan was with his Battery at Maiwand on that day. During the battle of Kandahar on 1 September 1880, for which Sullivan was awarded the clasp, the battery was attached to the Cavalry Brigade.
The original Afghan War medal roll for E/B RHA contains 10 officers and 180 NCO’s / Other ranks. Of these 1 officer and 5 men are clearly recorded as not being present at Maiwand. A further 1 officer and 8 men are clearly shown as transferring into the battery after Maiwand. The strength of the battery is recorded slightly differently in various accounts, ranging between 5 officers and 141 men to 7 officers and 164 men.
If you take off those known to be not present it leaves 8 officers and 167 men on the roll who were possibly at Maiwand, which depending on which account you believe between 84% to 98% of the possible men on the roll being present at the battle.
Condition – NEF
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