Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private M. Kempton, 59th Regiment of Foot

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar [see footnote] (1239, Pte. M. Kempton, 59th. Foot); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1239 Private Michl. Kempton 59th. Regt.) third digit of number over-struck on Star; light contact marks and wear to first, good fine and better and extremely rare to unit (2) £500-£700

British Battles and Medals states just 13 Afghan Medals with clasp Kandahar; and just 9 Kabul to Kandahar Stars awarded to the 59th Foot.

Michael Kempton was born in Glasgow in 1850. He is recorded in the British Army, Worldwide Index 1871, as serving from 1 April 1871 to 30 June 1871 with the 59th Regiment of Foot at Mhow and Bombay, India. He later fought at the Battle of Kandahar on 1 September 1880, and was discharged to pension on 19 June 1883. He died in Gateshead in December 1913.

Note: The Kandahar clasp is not confirmed on the roll, and appears to have been added later as the top lugs are still present.

The recipient’s Kandahar clasp is confirmed on the official medal roll, WO100/52, page 141.