Five: Private E. A. S. Isworth, 21st Lancers, who was wounded in the regiment’s famous charge at Shabkadar on 5 September 1915

1914-15 Star (L-2417 Pte., 21st Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-2417 Pte., 21-Lrs.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (L-20311 Pte., 21 Lrs.); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, generally very fine (5) £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Tom Gustard Collection of Medals & Militaria and to the 21st Lancers.

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Edward Angus S. Isworth is confirmed as having been wounded at Shabkadar in the 21st Lancers’ regimental journal, The Vedette.

Moreover, it was reported in the same publication in 1991 - by then retitled The White Lancer and The Vedette - that the oldest survivor of the regiment, Charles Albert Wildman, himself a casualty on that fateful day at Shabkadar in September 1915, had recently celebrated his 100th birthday - and was a friend of Isworth:

‘He [Wildman] was present during the action in 1915 where Lieutenant-Colonel Scriven and Captain Anderson, his Commanding Officer and Squadron Leader, were killed. He recalls setting up a heliograph on some high ground, promptly being shot at and having his horse shot from under him, recovering his rifle, sword and lance and being picked up by a friend Angus Insworth. He in his turn noticed that his friend was suffering from a wound to his arm, administered first aid and returned him to the regimental Aid Post. He was also wounded himself when a shell from ‘M’ Battery fell 100 yards short, wounding him in the rear.’

Isworth’s wounds would appear to have been quite serious, ‘C’ Squadron records noting that he was transferred for further treatment at Pindi as late as December 1915.