Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Afghanistan 1878-80 D.C.M. pair awarded to Private E. Hallett, 7th Foot, for the operations immediately following the disastrous defeat at Maiwand, 27 July 1880, and the subsequent retreat to Kandahar, 27-28 July 1880

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (49B/627 Pte. E. Hallett. 2/7th Foot.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (627, Pte. E. Hallett, 2/7th Foot) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (2) £3000-4000

Provenance: Glendining’s, June 1993.

D.C.M. awarded for Maiwand, 27 July 1880, and the retreat to Kandahar, 27-28 July 1880. Recommendation submitted to the Queen 5 March 1881.

Eli Hallett attested for the 7th Foot at Liverpool, in February 1871. He served with the 2/7th Foot during the Second Afghan War 1878-80. The battalion arrived at Kandahar, 26 April 1880. On the 28th July, on the news of the disaster sustained at Maiwand reaching Kandahar, 70 rifles of the 2/7th under Lieutenant Rodick formed part of the force under Brigadier-General Brooke which set out to relieve the survivors of Brigadier-General Burrows ill-fated brigade. Later in the day, on the arrival of General Burrows at the city walls, one company of the regiment under the command of Captain Adderley, marched out to Abasabad, and performed useful service in holding the eastern outskirts of the village till the last stragglers had made their way into Kandahar.

1 of 7 D.C.M.s awarded to the Regiment for the Second Afghan War 1878-80.