Description
Kabul to Kandahar Star, B1519 Private John Ormerod, 66th Royal Berkshire Regiment of Foot.
A rare Kabul to Kandahar Star to the 66th Foot, Private Ormerod was one of the lucky few assigned to the 2 Companies that had become detached from Kandahar to strengthen the garrison at Kelat-i-Ghilzai in April 1880 under Captain Mackinnon, this meant that they missed out on the slaughter of their comrades, as soon as they were able, they joined Lord Roberts on his famous March from Kabul to Kandahar, to get vengeance on the Army that had decimated half of their regiment.
Whilst they were at Kelat, they fought under Colonel Tanner, in a punitory visit to the villages of Jaldak and Tirandaz, in retribution for a recently committed raid by the people of Kajbaz, surrounding the village known for sheltering Marauders, on the way back they fought at Shah Bolan, when they encountered a considerable party of Achakzais who they defeated.
When they got to Kandahar they got their revenge, they won the battle and the war was over, retrieving the field guns of the Horse Artillery that had fallen into enemy hands at Maiwand. A small part of the 66th Foot were then sent on harrowing task of burying the fallen who still lay on the battle field at Maiwand.
Officially embossed on reverse: “B1519 PRIVATE JOHN ORMEROD 66th FOOT”
Confirmed on the medal roll. One of about 149 of these stars issued to the 66th Foot.
Also issued the matching Afghanistan 1878-80 War Medal, with clasp Kandahar.
The roll records that he saw action at the Battle of Kandahar on 1st September 1880, being “Engaged in the Field Reserve, 1st Brigade under Colonel Daubeney on 1st September 1880” it also notes at the time of issue of this star that he had transferred to the 1st Battalion stationed in Gibraltar.
Of course the 66th Foot are most famous for their near decimation at the Battle of Maiwand on 27th July 1880 during this war.
The man above and below him on the medal rolls were killed there, the total Afghanistan Medals earned by the regiment was about 850, whereas 481 of those men were unlucky to be killed at the Battle of Maiwand, over half the men who fought in Afghanistan.
Two Companies of the 66th Foot were detached from Kandahar to form part of the garrison at Khelat-i-Ghilzai in April 1880, by sheer luck of being selected for this, these men would avoid the Battle of Maiwand where many of their comrades were killed.
Following the disaster at Maiwand, these 2 companies joined General Robert’s Column on his famous March from Kabul to Kandahar.
Garen Ewing on his detailed information page about Lord Robert’s March notes that 145 men of the 66th Foot had joined the March from Garrison at Kelat-i-Ghilzai on 25th August, along with 47 men from the C/2 Royal Artillery, 100 men of the 3rd Sind Horse and 639 of the 2nd Baluch Regiment.
These men were stationed at Kelat-i-Ghilzai under the command of Captain W.A.D. Mackinnon, it was noted that they saw action at the villages of Kajbaz and Shah Bolan in the beginning of May.
This fighting is recounted in Shadbolt as:
“On the 1st of May Colonel Tanner, commanding at Kalat-i-Ghilzai, marched from that place with five companies of the 29th Native Infantry and a signalling party of the 66th Foot to Kaj Baj, to exact retribution from the inhabitants for a recently-committed raid, and to pay a punitory visit to the villages of Jaldak and Tirandaz, on the left bank of the Tarnak river, opposite Pul-i-Sang, for sheltering marauders.
The following morning these villages were surrounded, and a quantity of stolen property was recovered, hostages being taken for the payment of a fine which was inflicted. On returning to Kalat-i-Ghilzai, Colonel Tanner found a considerable body of Achakzais posted on a high hill known as the Shah Bolan, and after a brisk encounter, defeated and dispersed them, killing fourteen of their number, including their leader, and wounding eight.”
The Battle of Kandahar, and the dreaded task of recovering the dead by a party of the 66th was recalled in the Regimental History:
“Next Morning (1st September) General Roberts, at the head of 11,000 men, with 32 guns, attacked Ayoub Khan’s Army, which was strongly entrenched near Baba Wali. The action commenced about 8 am, soon the enemy were forced to abandon their position, and flying, in confusion, they allowed their camp and nearly all their artillery to fall into the hands of the British.
32 Guns were captured, amongst them the two field pieces taken from the Royal Horse Artillery at Maiwand.
The Relief of Kandahar was thus successfully accomplished.
A few days later, on 9th September, after this brilliant victory, Lieutenant Beresford Pierse was ordered to proceed to Maiwand with a party (consisting of Lt Bruce, 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 18 Privates), for the purpose of burying the dead, who fell on the fatal 27th July.
This mournful task completed, the party returned to Kandahar, arriving there on the 23rd September. The previous day, Lieutenant Colonel SGC Hogge had joined the Headquarters, from Command of the Deolali Depot, and on assuming command of the regiment published this order:
‘Captain Pierse having reported most favourably of the men who accompanied him to Maiwand, the commanding-officer takes the opportunity of thanking Captain Pierse, Lieutenant Bruce, and the non-commissioned-officers and men for the manner in which they performed the painful and arduous duty of burying the dead who fell at Maiwand.
He is proud to inform the regiment that on all sides he hears admiration expressed of the gallant conduct of the regiment on the fatal field of Maiwand; and that during the siege, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, were conspicuous for the cheerful and willing way in which they performed continuous and harassing duties. Such conduct reflects the greatest credit on all concerned, and he ventures to hope it will not be un-recognised by higher authority.’
