Orders, Decorations and Medals

Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Flying Victory (Private [J] Holden, Her Majesty’s 31st Foot) contemporary engraved naming fine in running script, the initial indistinct, fitted with steel clip and straight bar suspension, edge bruising and polished, otherwise better than good fine and rare £800-1000

John Holden attested for the 13th Light Infantry at Leeds on 12 November 1839, and joined the regiment in Afghanistan on 28 August 1841. He served during the First Afghan war at the defence of Jellalabad and in the operations around Kabul. He transferred to the 31st Foot on 6 November 1844, and would appear to have exchanged his Mural Crown Jellalabad medal for the new ‘Flying Victory’ issue whilst serving in his new regiment. Confirmed on Donald Gosling’s roll of the 13th L.I. in the Afghan War.