Medals from the Royal Berkshire Collection

The Second Afghan War Medal awarded to Sergeant W. Kelly, 66th Regiment of Foot, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Maiwand, 27 July 1880

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1336. Sergt. W. Kelly. 66th. Foot.) pawnbroker’s mark to obverse field, minor edge bruising, otherwise very fine £1,400-£1,800

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

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J. B. Hayward, December 1975.

William Kelly attested for the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot and served with the Regiment in Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Maiwand, 27 July 1880, ‘one of the grandest examples of heroism in the annals of war’, where the Regiment lost its Colours and 10 officers and 275 other ranks were killed.
Following the loss of the 66th Foot’s Colours at Maiwand, and those of the 24th Foot at Isandhlwana the previous year, the British Army soon after ended the tradition of carrying Colours into battle; the last occasion on which Colours were carried into Battle being by the 58th Foot at Laing’s Nek on 28 January 1881.