Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Piper William Alexander, 92nd Highlanders

Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (B/68 Piper. W. Alexander. 92nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (5668 Piper W. Alexander 92nd Highlanders); Jubilee 1887, Metropolitan Police (PC, W. Alexander. Y. Div:) light pitting from star, therefore nearly very fine (3) £800-1000

William Alexander enlisted into the 92nd Highlanders (56B/68) at Aberdeen about June 1874. He was posted to the Service Companies in India, arriving there with a draft from England on 12 February 1875. Stationed at Mootan with the regiment through 1876, and at Sitapur during 1877 and 1878, he served with the Kurram Field Force during the Afghan campaign of 1878-80, taking part in the actions at Charasia, and Kabul. He was appointed Piper on 5 February 1880, on the vacancy created by the death of Piper Forbes at Kabul on the previous day. He accompanied the regiment on its 310 mile march under Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Roberts to Kandahar during August of that year, and took part in the battle of Kandahar on 1 September, which resulted in the relief of the besieged garrison.

He returned to India in October and in January 1881 embarked for Natal, South Africa, where he remained throughout 1881 until the regiment embarked for home, arriving at Portsmouth during January 1882. He took his discharge by purchase, at Edinburgh, on 18 October 1882, with the intention of residing in the city. However, on 2 April 1883, he joined the Metropolitan Police in London, Warrant No. 67676. He served as a Police Constable in ‘Y’ Division and participated in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations during 1887. He was dismissed from the service on 11 July 1891.