Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Corporal C. Osborne, Seaforth Highlanders

Afghanistan 1878-80, 4 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1966 Pte., 72nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1966 Private, 72nd Highlanders); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-el-Kebir (1966 Pte., 1/Sea. Highrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1966 Corpl., Sea. Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1882 the first and third with heavy contact marks and edge bruising, fine, the remainder generally very fine (5) £500-700

Charles Osborne was born in Birmingham and enlisted in the 72nd Highlanders in August 1870, aged 18 years. Embarked for India in February of the following year, he served there, and in Afghanistan, until sailing for Egypt in August 1882. During that period he was present in all of the operations commemorated on his four-clasp Afghanistan Medal, including the action at Sherpur on 12 December 1879, when he was wounded in his left calf by a bullet. Following subsequent service at Tel-el-Kebir, Osborne returned home in November 1882, was advanced to Lance-Corporal in February 1884 and to Corporal in October of the same year. He was finally discharged at Fort George in May 1889, having received his L.S. & G.C. Medal in Army Order 23 of the same year.