Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Ghuznee 1839, reverse engraved, ‘Private Job Binding, 13th P.A.L.I.’, edge additionally engraved in a recognised regimental style with flamboyant scroll work, ‘J. B., 13th P.A.L.I. 763’, fitted with a replacement straight bar suspension, slight edge bruise, very fine £450-500

Job Binding was born in Somerset. A labourer by traded he attested for the 13th Regiment in 1826, aged 20 years. At the time of his discharge as ‘being unfit for further service’ in 1846, he had served a total of 19 years, 252 days with the regiment, including 17 years, 2 months in the East Indies. Binding’s discharge papers indicate that he ‘Served with the Army of Indus during the Campaigns of 1838, 39 and 40. Was present at the storming of Ghuznee in July 1839, and was a Prisoner at Cabool from 29th December 1841 to 17th September 1842’

During the First Afghan War, the 13th Foot under Major-General Sir Robert Sale saw service as part of the Army of the Indus which was sent into Afghanistan to reinstate Shah Soojah. The regiment played a central role in storming the fortress of Ghuznee in July 1839. Shortly after, the Army entered Cabul unopposed and Shah Soojah was restored. Shah Soojah’s unpopularity together with the British occupation prompted a revolt in October 1841. Such was the deteriorating situation that the decision was taken to remove the garrison and associated personnel from Cabul to Jellalabad. At the time of the uprising the 13th Foot was engaged in pacification operations in the countryside. Rather than make an opposed return to Cabul they made for Jellalabad with the intention of holding it ready for the column of evacuees from Cabul. However, despite repeated assurances of safe passage from the Afghans, the column came under repeated attack. Of the 4,500 men plus followers, only one man - Dr Bryden made it to Jellalabad. Of the others, about 100 officers, men and civilians were taken prisoner, the others were killed or deserted.

A second major British and Indian force under General Pollock entered Afghanistan and recaptured Cabul on 15 September 1842. This brought liberation to the 122 British prisoners held there - these being a combination of hostages required for the supposed safe passage, invalids left behind and those captured from the evacuated column. In the book ‘Journal of an Afghanistan Prisoner, by Lieuteant Vincent Eyre, one officer and seven men of the 13th Foot, including Private Binding, are listed as being amongst those prisoners. Private Binding’s medical report suggests he was one of a number of invalids left behind (as de facto hostages) when the city was evacuated. Sold with copied service papers and other research.