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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 390

Pair: Bandsman J. J. Nobbs, 92nd Highlanders

Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (890. Pte. J. J. Nobbs. 92nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (890. Private J. J. Nobbs 92nd Highlanders), pitting from Star, otherwise very fine (2)

James John Nobbs was born on 13 October 1848 at 39 Princes Street in Marylebone, London, the son of James Nobbs, a Private in the Scots Fusilier Guards. Unfortunately, his father died while on recruiting duty in Cranbourne on 14 January 1856 when the younger Nobbs was only seven years old. Likely as a result of his father's death, Nobbs was admitted to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea later that year on 26 June. He spent the remainder of his childhood there until he entered the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot at the rank of Boy on 21 October 1862 when he was 14 years old. Nobbs later gained a First-Class Certificate of Education on 10 January 1867, and was appointed Bandsman on 22 December.

Nobbs was posted overseas to India where he disembarked on 21 January 1868. He would spend the next decade serving abroad, during which time he re-engaged as a Private to complete 21 years of service with the Colours. Nobbs was stationed in Afghanistan directly from India to serve in the Second Afghan War on 31 March 1879.

The 92nd Highlanders took an active role in the Afghan Campaign, and first saw action at Charasia on 6 October 1879. During the Battle, the Regiment was in the First Infantry Brigade under the command of General Herbert Macpherson, V.C.. Together with the 23rd Bengal N.I., the 92nd Highlanders advanced to the Sang I Nawishta to ensure that the route along the Logar River was passable. Later in the day, two companies of the unit were sent in support of Brigadier Thomas Baker's attack, successfully breaking the Afghan centre and right and pursuing them. They captured six Afghan guns, and the Battle's victory opened the road to Kabul. The 92nd Highlanders were next present at the Battle of Kabul a couple of months later on 23 December. Alongside companies from the 67th Foot and 28th Bengal N.I., the Regiment helped to hold the east and south walls of the British square against the Afghans. Nobbs' final action in Afghanistan was at the Battle of Kandahar after the march from Kabul to Kandahar on 1 September 1880. They were again commanded by General Macpherson, and attacked the nearby village of Gundimullah Sahibdad which they successfully captured after hours of close quarters combat.

Nobbs left Afghanistan to return to India soon after Kandahar, arriving on 19 October 1880. He did not remain there for long, however, and the next year on 30 January 1881 was posted to Cape Colony in South Africa for service in the Boer Campaign. At some stage Nobbs finally returned home to England, likely directly from South Africa, as on 7 November 1892 he was discharged at Portsmouth after 20 years of service as a consequence of being medically unfit - he was reportedly suffering from phthisis pulmonalis, also known as tuberculosis. Nobbs was admitted to a pension and sought to reside in Broughton, Hampshire; sold together with copied research.


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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£210