A rare Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie medal awarded to Gunner J. Martin, Bengal Artillery, who witnessed ‘a constant state of fighting’ for the old fort spanning weeks on end

Defence of Kelat-i-Ghilzie 1842 (Gunner John Martin, 4th Compy. 2d. Battn. Arty.) naming officially engraved in running script, fitted with replacement small swivel ring and unmarked gold suspender bar, riband-brooch and top wearing pin, light contact marks, nearly very fine £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals - The Property of a Gentleman.

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The Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie and the part played by the Gunners of the Bengal Artillery is carefully detailed in The History of the Bengal Artillery:
‘Meanwhile the garrison at Kelat-I-Ghilzai had been holding out well. Captain J. Halket Craigie, with the 3rd Shah’s Infantry, had been placed there in garrison in November, 1841. Lieutenant Walker, with half the 4th Company 2nd Battalion, after returning from Kalat with General Nott, was sent to the Ghilzai fort, and Lieut.-Colonel Maclaren, when returning on his uncompleted expedition to Kabul, left some 300 men of the 43rd N.I. with Captain Craigie. In all he had about 950 men.

The ruins of the old fort were repaired as well as could be done. Though not actually in contact with an enemy, the garrison could only communicate with Ghazni and Kandahar by paying messengers well. Tolerably well off for grain, sheep for the Europeans were only to be had by raiding for them. On two occasions the gunners were for some days on bread and water, but grumbling was not thought of. It was only a change of diet. In April their position was closely invested, and from this time till nearly the end of May a constant state of fighting was kept up. From shelter trenches and wherever cover could be found, they continued to annoy the garrison. On the 21st of May, hearing that Brigadier Wymer was on his way, a furious and determined assault was made to capture the place, if possible, before succour should arrive. The defence was a gallant one, and five days afterwards Wymer was safely under the defences that had been held so well.’

Sold with copied research.