Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Second Afghan War medal to Captain Nathaniel Spens, 72nd (Seaforth) Highlanders, heroically killed near Kabul in a gallant attempt to stem the advance of the enemy on Conical Hill, ‘his head severed from his body by the stroke of an Afghan knife, wielded in death agony by a man through whose body Spens had already driven his claymore’

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (Capt. N. J. Spens, 72nd Highrs.) brilliant extremely fine £8000-10000

Nathaniel James Spens was born on 3 March 1845, son of Nathaniel Spens, of Craigsanquhar, Fife. He was educated at Edinburgh and Woolwich, and entered the army in June 1864 as an Ensign in the 72nd Highlanders. Obtaining his Lieutenancy by purchase in June 1868, and promotion to Captain in March 1878, he accompanied the regiment to India in November of the latter year.

His company formed part of the left wing of the 72nd, which, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, remained in garrison at Kohat until the close of the year, and in the following January took part in Roberts’ occupation of the Khost district, and the action of Matun on the 7th of the month. At the battle of Charasia, on 6 October 1879, Captain Spens’ company was one of the leading ones which took part in the attack on the Red Ridge, ‘so obstinately held and so brilliantly carried;’ and which company supported Chesney’s company of the 23rd Pioneers in carrying the second ridge on which the enemy took up his position.

In the storming of the Asmai heights on the 14th December, in the operation around Kabul, Captain Spens was in command of the sixty-four men of the 72nd, who, with the Guides Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, successfully assaulted and for a time held the little conical hill to the right of the main attack. It was while endeavouring to prevent this position from being retaken, in a heroic personal attempt to stem the advance of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, that he sacrificed his life. The incident is thus related by one of his brother officers. After telling how the Afghans, reassembled and reinforced, had rushed up the side of the hill, and that a charge was ordered to be made by the Sepoys of the Guides, the writer continues as follows:

‘Spens volunteered to lead, which he did in splendid style. Heading a good way in front, he dashed at the leading files of the enemy, cut down the front man, and was immediately cut down himself by the enemy as they surged forward.’ His body was recovered, and was buried by his brother officers in the cemetery at Sherpur, the pipers of the regiment striking up Lochaber no more, his favourite air, as it was lowered into the grave.

An account from Recent British Battles by James Grant graphically describes the manner in which Spens met his death:

“...On they came from both sides, but the mountaineers had easier ground, and perhaps better wind, than our men, and came first to the guns, which had waited a moment too long. While they were being strapped on the mules a human wave, crested with foam of steel, swept over them, and the gunners had to run for their lives. Some of the 72nd, headed by Captain Spens and a colour-sergeant [John Yule], tried to check the enemy, but they were far too few, and their gallant leader fell immediately, his head severed from his body by the stroke of an Afghan knife, wielded in death agony by a man through whose body Spens had already driven his claymore; and for some time the enemy were in possession of the kotal and two of our guns...”

‘Spens behaved most gallantly,’ wrote Sir Frederick Roberts, in a letter expressing a wish that it might have been possible to secure for the representatives of the deceased officer the Victoria Cross - but to no avail.