Description
First Anglo Afghan War Medal, Cabul 1842, Private Thomas Moyle, 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot, aka the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Impressed in typical regimental style encountered to the regiment: “Thos Moyle. 9th Regt”
Clip and split ring suspension.
Original Cabul Medals to the 9th Foot are typically encountered with 2 distinct styles of naming, being either impressed in this exact style or engraved in a unique style.
Number 599, Private Thomas Moyle, 9th Foot is shown on the 1841 Army Index as serving with the regiment being stationed at the time in Meerut. This is where the regiment was stationed before being mobilised for service in Afghanistan.
During the war, the 9th Foot saw significant action taking part in various important battles in the campaign.
In the war, the 9th formed part of General Pollock’s Army of Retribution the so called “Avenging Force” who tore through the region with a vengeance in response to the massacre of the British Army in the recent retreat from Kabul during 1841-2.
They would fight in:
The forcing of the Khyber Pass, 5th April 1842, the relief of Jellalabad on 16th April, followed by the action at Mammu Khel on 24th April.
At Jagdalak Pass on 8th September, the Battle of Tazeen (Tezeen) on 12th September leading up to the Capture of Kabul on 15th September and also the Capture of Istalif on 28th September 1842.
Thomas is absent from the medal roll for the upcoming Anglo Sikh War, aka the Sutlej War, suggesting that this is his only medal issued for his service.
He might have died around this time, the medal is in good preserved condition for it’s age, as well as other impressed medals in this style are noted as having died on service, which would explain his absence from the upcoming war.
