A Second Afghan War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Troop Sergeant Major H. England, 9th Lancers, for his gallantry in the famous action at Killa Kazi, near Kabul, on 11 December 1879’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Troop Sergt. Major. H. England, 9th. Lancers.); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Kabul, Kandahar (548. Tp: Sgt. Maj: H. England. 9th. Lancers.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (548 Troop Sergt. Major H. England 9th. Lancers); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (548 Tp. Sgt. Maj: H. England, 9th. Lancers) light contact marks, very fine (4) £4,000-£5,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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D.C.M. submitted to the Queen 5 April 1880.
A War Office letter states: ‘For his gallant conduct when charging with Captain Gough’s Troop, and afterwards in covering the retreat.’

Henry England was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1841 and attested for the the 9th Lancers at Aldershot on 3 January 1862. Promoted Corporal on 21 February 1866, and Sergeant on 10 September 1868, he was appointed Troop Sergeant Major on 9 February 1874 and served with the 9th Lancers in India and Afghanistan from 9 January 1875 to 6 December 1882. He ‘distinguished himself in the Field at Killa Kazi in front of Kabul on 11 December 1879’ (the recipient’s service record refers), and it was for this action that he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal:
‘And when near Killa Kazi, a large body of the enemy bore down on General Massy, and was too strong for his small artillery and cavalry force. The guns had to retire. At this point Sir Frederick Roberts appeared on the scene, and he gave the order for the cavalry to charge. 126 of the Regiment, and 44 of the Bengal Lancers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland, charged into the mass of the Afghans, being joined by Captain Gough’s troop, which was acting as advanced guard on the right of our line.’

The 9th Lancers, together with the 14th Bengal Lancers, made two spectacular and sanguinary charges in the disastrous action at Killa Kazi, in the Chardeh Valley, on 11 December 1879. Lieutenants Forbes of the 14th Lancers, and Hersey and Ricardo of the 9th Lancers were killed in action, in addition to 22 other ranks also killed. Similarly large numbers of officers and men were wounded. Horses were seen to come galloping back, some riderless, some with riders swaying in their saddles. The Reverend James Adams was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing some men of the 9th Lancers who had fallen, with their horses, into a deep nullah, being at the time closely pursued by the Afghans. 8 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to men of the 9th Lancers and two Indian Orders of Merit were awarded to men of the 14th Bengal Lancers

England was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1883, and was discharged on 1 September 1885, after 23 years and 239 days’ service.

Sold with copied record of service.