Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (Ltt. Coll. S. V. Grodon [sic] 23rd Bl. Infy.) naming officially re-engraved, good very fine £160-£200

Stannus Verner Gordon was born on 20 August 1846, and was gazetted to the 36th Foot as Ensign on 9 August 1864, becoming Lieutenant on 22 May 1868, and Lieutenant, Bengal Staff Corps, on 1 August 1868. He served in the Afghan War of 1878-80, including the passage of the Mungiar Defile Expedition into the Khost Valley; action of Charasiah, and subsequent pursuit; defence of Camp Latabund; affair at Saidabad; march from Kabul to the relief of Kandahar, and battle of 1 September. He received the Medal with three clasps, and the Bronze Star; was given the Brevet of Major, 2 March 1881, and was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 4 May 1880 and 3 December 1880). He served in the First Miranzi Expedition in 1891. In the Chitral Campaign he was Commandant, 23rd Bengal Infantry, serving with the Relief Force. He was mentioned in Despatches, 15 November 1895; received the Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 21 January 1896): ‘In recognition of services during the operations of the Chitral Relief Force.’ The insignia were presented to him on 11 April 1896. He was given the Brevet of Colonel on 23 June 1897, and retired with the rank of Colonel on 2 March 1904.