Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Charasia (Capt. Robert H. Oxley, 92nd Highrs.) very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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Robert Henry Oxley was born at Skipton on Swale, Yorkshire, on 27 November 1847. He was educated at Rugby and joined the 92nd Highlanders as an Ensign on 9 March 1867. He served in India from 1868 until 1880, during which time he was Adjutant and Musketry Instructor, and considered to be one of the best shots in India, winning the Officers’ Cup at the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi during the Durbar of 1877. He served with the Kurram Field Force, under Sir Frederick Roberts, in 1878 and 1879, including the battle of Charasia and the capture of Kabul in 1879, on which occasion he led the front attack with two companies of the 92nd Highlanders and gained the thanks of General Baker in his despatch of 11 October 1879.

In 1891 he took command of the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and became Brevet Colonel in 1895. He married in July 1880, and had three daughters and one son, who was killed in 1916 when in temporary command of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders in France. Colonel Oxley died at Farnham on 16 February 1929.