The Robin Scott-Smith Collection of Medals to Casualties

The ‘Flying Victory’ Jellalabad Medal awarded to Colour-Sergeant Robert Hurst, 13th Prince Albert’s Light Infantry, who was severely wounded in the action at the storming of Fort Joolgah in October 1840

Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Flying Victory (Colr. Serjt. Robt. Hurst 13th Regt.) officially impressed naming, fitted with steel clip and silver bar suspension, good very fine £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robin Scott-Smith Collection of Medals to Casualties.

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Robert Hurst was born in the Parish of Longford, County Longford, and attested for the 13th Foot at Athlone on 11 January 1825, aged 17. He served abroad in the East Indies for more than 19 years during which period, according to his discharge documents, he ‘served with the Army of the Indus during the campaigns of 1838-39-& 40, was present at the storming of the fortress of “Ghuznee” in 1839, also the Forts of Tootumdurrah and Joolgah in 1840; present in the several engagements in forcing the passes from Cabool to Jellalabad in 1841 and in Defence of the latter Fortress in 1841-42. Present in the Engagement at Jellalabad 7th April 1842. Severe Gun-shot wound in left arm & side at Joolgah in 1840.’

‘Is in possession of three medals, Viz: For the Storming of Ghuznee, General Action at Jellalabad, and recapture of Cabul.’

Robert Hurst was discharged at Dublin on 20 May 1847, the Medical Report stating that ‘he has never recovered from the effects of a severe Gunshot wound in the left arm & chest where the Ball is still lodged; the wound was received at the Storming of the Fort of Julgah in the Kohistan of Cabul 3d Octr. 1840.’

The Fort at Joolgah was ‘near Nijrow, distant about sixteen miles from Tootumderrah. A rapid midnight movement enabled our troops to surprise the enemy, and surrounded that place at sunrise, on the 3rd of October. The rebels were hemmed in, but, fighting desperately, repulsed our attack on the breach, which unfortunately proved to be impracticable. They were not, however, disposed to await another attack, but stole away as soon as it was dusk. Joolgah, too, was levelled to the ground.’

Sold with copied discharge papers.