Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

The Second Afghan War medal to Sergeant-Major Alexander Cuppage, 66th Foot, killed in action at Maiwand whilst bearing the Colour in their stand in the last garden

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1171 Sergt. Maj. A. Cuppage, 66th Foot) lacking suspension and gilded, and contained in a contemporary silver-gilt laurel wreath swivel-mount, with pin fitting for wear as a ‘widow’s brooch’, gilt a little worn on the high points, otherwise about good very fine £2000-3000

Sergeant-Major Alexander Cuppage, senior N.C.O. of the 66th Foot, was killed in action at the battle of Maiwand.

‘Half a company of the 66th were yet on their feet. Lieutenant Honeywood held a Colour high above his head. “Men! What shall we do to save this?” he shouted, as he was shot down. Lieutenant and Adjutant Raynor seized the Colour, but soon fell mortally wounded. Big Drummer Darby stayed with him and refused to leave, despite orders to go and save himself. So they died together. Bearing the Colour in their turn, Second Lieutenant Olivey and Sergeant-Major Cuppage were killed in the last garden. Blackwood, hard hit though he was, had managed to get this far and died with his friends in the 66th Foot.