About the product

Afghan Star Pair Bugler 60th Rifles

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 bars, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar, Kabul to Kandahar Star, 2100 Bugler William O’Brien, 2nd 60th Foot, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. First Boer War veteran, 14 year old when he enlisted, rose to Colour Sergeant.

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SKU: J6785 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Description

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 bars, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar, Kabul to Kandahar Star, 2100 Bugler William O’Brien, 2nd 60th Foot, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. First Boer War veteran.

 

William O’Brien was born in 1857 his papers state he was born in Malta.

 

At the young age of 14 he attested for service requesting to join the 60th Rifles at Marlborough on 13th April 1871, he stood at 4 foot 6 inches tall.

 

He served as a boy and become and underage Private on 13th April 1872, after turning 18 he was appointed as a Bugler on 1st September 1875, which he served as until 1882, throughout the Afghanistan War and during the First Anglo Boer War.

 

On 1st December 1882 he reverted to Private on 11th March 1883 and was duly promoted to Corporal on 1st February 1884, by 20th May 1885 he was appointed as paid Lance Sergeant and then Sergeant on 30th September 1885.
Shortly afterwards he was once again promoted to Colour Sergeant on 12th November 1885.

 

Following the reformation of the 2nd 60th into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps he was posted for his last 5 years of service to the 9th K.R.R.C. as Colour Sergeant from 5th June 1887 until 2nd May 1892.

 

He had served a total of 18 years 21 days, with another 3-4 years not included as he was underage.

 

Overseas Service:

 

Home 13th April 1871 – 1st October 1873
India 2nd October 1873 – 9th December 1878
Afghanistan 10 December 1878 – 7th October 1880
Mau Country 8th October 1880 – 14th November 1880
India 15th November 1880 – 24th January 1881
South Africa 25th January 1881 – 11th January 1882
Home 12th January 1882 – 2nd May 1892.