Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Capt. H. H. F. Gifford. 13th Huss.) polished, nearly very fine and unique to an officer of this regiment £400-£500

One officer and three N.C.O’s of the 13th Hussars received the medal Afghanistan 1878-80, all without clasps.

Herbert Hale Forbes Gifford was born on 27 November 1831, and joined the Army as a Cornet in the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 23 October 1857, from Lieutenant, 3rd Middlesex Militia, and, being transferred 16 July 1858, to the 1st Dragoon Guards, became Lieutenant on 12 March 1861. On 22 June 1867, he exchanged to the 4th Hussars, and was promoted to a troop in the 13th Hussars, 20 July 1873, becoming brevet Major, 2 March 1881, and Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 July 1881. He commanded the regiment from 29 September 1885 to 1 July 1887; was D.A.A.G. in India from 29 September 1879 to September 1881, and retired on retired pay with the honorary rank of Major-General on 1 July 1887.

He served in the Mediterranean, 1855-56; and in the East Indies, 1867-78; South Afghanistan 1878-79, and was present in the advance to Kandahar and Kelat-I-Ghilzie under Sir Donald Stewart (mentioned in despatches, medal, brevet of Major); South Africa, 1884-85; Staff-officer to Viceroy’s Personal Escort, Umballa Durbar, March 1869; officiating D.A.Q.M.G., Cavalry Division, Imperial Assemblage, Delhi, November 1876; Brigade Major, Cavalry Brigade, 1st Division, Field Force, Afghanistan, 30th October 1878; and in the same capacity with the 2nd Column, Thull Field Force, 1879; officiating Brigade Major, Lucknow, 1879; D.A.A.G. Peshawur, 1879-80. Major-General Gifford died at Brighton on 28 May 1907.