Afghanistan Medal 1881. Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment- 72nd Highlanders

Clasp “Kabul”. Impressed in capitals “1163 PTE G SHAW 72/ HRS”. Contact marks and wear to “HRS” on rim.

The siege of the Sherpur Cantonment was a battle fought in December 1879, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. British forces were besieged by Afghan troops, then repulsed an assault.

On 15 December, the Afghan army began to besiege the British forces entrenched in the cantonment. As news of a relief column under the command of Brigadier General Charles Gough reached Mohammed Jan, he ordered his troops to storm the cantonment on 23 December. By midday, the assault had been repulsed, and the Afghan army dispersed. No quarter was given to Afghans found in the area with weapons.

Code: 1262