Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul (834. Gr. W. Batchelor. F/A. R.H.A.) edge nicks, polished, very fine £260-£300

William Batchelor served in the Kuram Field Force under Sir Frederick Roberts, his medal being sent to the Officer Commanding the Sirkind Division on 5 January 1882. According to British Battles and Medals, only 26 men of F/A. Battery received the clasp for Peiwar Kotal, and a further 52 men of the Battery fought at Charasia. Upon being granted the Freedom of the City of London on 14 February 1881, Roberts was particularly complimentary about the Battery:
‘Nothing could have been finer than the F Battery of the A Brigade of Royal Horse Artillery and the Squadron of the 10th Hussars - and why? Because, gentlemen, as you probably all know, the short service system has as yet been only partially applied to those branches of the service. The men were old and seasoned soldiers. I believe I am correct in saying that there was not one death in the Battery from diseases for several months, and such a thing as a man falling out on the line of march was unknown; although their endurance was severely tried by having to trudge on foot, while the guns were carried on elephants, the difficulties of the mountainous country rendering it impossible at times to take wheeled artillery with us.’