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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 430

x The Rare ´Battle of Charasia´ Afghanistan D.C.M. Group of Three to Private R. McAnary, Seaforth Highlanders, One of Only Four D.C.M.s for the Battle, All to the Seaforths a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Pte. R. Mc.Anary. 72nd. Foot.) b) Afghanistan 1878-80, two clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia (1789. Pte. R. Mc.Anary. 72nd. Highrs.) c) Egypt 1882-89, dated, one clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (1789. Pte. P. Mc.Anary. 1/Sea: Highrs:), heavy contact marks, fine or better (3) Estimate £ 5,500-6,500 D.C.M. Submitted to the Queen 8.1.1880. 1789 Private Richard McAnary, D.C.M. was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for Charasia, 6.10.1879 The Seaforth Highlanders at Charasia On the 6th October 1879, whilst advancing to Kabul, the Kabul Field Force, under the Command of Lieutenant-General Sir F.S. Roberts, V.C., K.C.B., encountered stiff Afghan resistance at Charasia, eleven miles from Kabul. The enemy had taken up a strong position on the heights overlooking the village, and was "a menace that could not be brooked, a warning that could not be disregarded". Knowing that the enemy numbers would be significantly boosted with every day that they were able to remain in possession of their stronghold, Roberts ordered a column under the command of Brigadier T.D. Baker, C.B., consisting of the 72nd Highlanders, six companies of the 5th Goorkhas, and 200 men of the 5th Punjab Infantry, together with four Mountain Battery guns and two Gatling guns of the Royal Artillery, to dislodge the enemy and clear the road to Kabul. Brigadier Baker, who had reinforced his main attack by 450 men of the 23rd Pioneers, assembled his little column in the wooded enclosures of the village, before advancing to meet the enemy, who were perched on rocky crags some 400 feet higher than the British position. One company of the Seaforth Highlanders attacked the enemy on the left flank, whilst the main body of the Regiment attacked the enemy straight on, their advance being covered by two guns of the Mountain Battery. Owing to the extremely difficult nature of the ground on the left flank, this advance was somewhat checked, and the Company of the Seaforths was therefore reinforced by two Companies of the 5th Goorkhas. At 2:00 pm, after two hours´´ fighting, the ridge on the left was seized, and the retreating enemy exposed to a cross-fire that inflicted heavy losses. The general advance was then sounded, and the main position was gallantly carried by the Seaforths, with the enemy fighting well to the last. Enemy losses were estimated at upwards of 300 men, out of a total force of approximately 1300, and twenty guns were captured, amongst them an 8-inch brass howitzer that had been presented to the Afghan State by the British Government. Six days later General Roberts took possession of Kabul´´s Bala Hissar. Four D.C.M.s, all to the Seaforth Highlanders, were award for this action, where the Regiment suffered 3 killed and 33 wounded, having "borne the brunt of the early part of the engagement" (General Roberts´´ despatch, dated 20.10.1879, refers).

Sold for
£5,500