Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson

An Afghan War medal to Private J. Patterson, 92nd Highlanders, taken prisoner at Majuba Hill in February 1881

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar (B/633 Pte. J. Patterson, 92nd Highrs.) very fine £250-300

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

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James Patterson was a tinsmith from Arbroath before enlisting for the 56th Brigade at Greenlaw in January 1877. He was initially posted to the 93rd Highlanders in February 1877, and in the following November was drafted, with some 70 other men of his regiment, for service with the Gordon Highlanders in India. He served during the Afghan War and was present at Kandahar from April 1880, taking part in the battle of Kandahar on 1 September. In November 1880, Patterson was sent with the regiment to South Africa, where he took part in the 1st Boer War. On 27 February 1881 he was taken prisoner at Majuba Hill. ‘On Monday, the 11th [April], the whole of the prisoners taken by the Boers arrived at Fort Amiel under charge of Captain Hornby, 58th Regiment, and consisting of three Marines, one Hussar, one Dragoon, nineteen of the 92nd, some 58th, 94th, and 3-60th. They all looked remarkably well, and none the worse for their recent loss of liberty.’ Patterson returned to England on 15 September 1881 where he was discharged, presumably to the Army Reserve.