Victorian Afghanistan & Egypt Medal Group. Seaforth Highlanders.

Victorian Afghanistan & Egypt Campaign Group. 

Afghanistan Medal 1878-80, Clasps Charasia, Kabul, kandahar, 1626 Pte W Daniels 72nd Highrs. Kabul to Kandahar Star, 1626 W Daniels 72nd Highlanders. Egypt Medal reverse dated 1882 clasp Tel El Kebir, 1626 Pte W Daniels 1/Sea Highrs. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Army Victoria, 1626 W Daniels Sea Highrs. Khedive Star 1882 engraved reverse, W Daniels 1/ Seaforths.

All medals are named in the correct way, all in very good condition on new ribbons. A superb group of medals, paperwork confirms entitlement . 

William Daniels was born 1846 in Wilton, Wiltshire. He enlisted in 1st Bn 22nd Foot on 24th November 1864, trade labourer. Recording his next of kin as his father Joseph of Griffins Street, Salisbury. He transferred to the 72nd Highlanders on 14th August 1871, and continued to serve with the Colours until discharged on 8th December 1885, on the termination of his 2nd period of engagement.

William served his entire military service of 21 years and 15 days as a Private, and was in receipt of Good Conduct pay of 5 pence a day from 24th November1885 and in possession of five Good Conduct Badges. 

Serving Abroad in New Brunswick 16th April 1886 to 28th May 1869.

India including Afghanistan 21st February 1871 to 1st August 1882.

Egypt 2nd August 1882 to 1st November 1882

On discharge became a prison Officer, marrying Mary Ann Way at Carisbrook, Isle Of Wight on 27th May 1884.

Afghanistan 1878 - 1880

The 72nd Foot Seaforth Highlanders. (Duke Of Albany's Own Highlanders).

The Regiment played a significant part in all Major Battles. Initially stationed in India they became involved in the war from the start. They participated in all major engagements, including the assault on the Asmai Heights, the siege of Sherpur Cantonment, and the famous March from Kabul to Kandahar.

Battle of Peiwar Kotal 2nd December 1878. 

The hill fort guarding the Kyber Pass was attacked. In this action Captain John Cook of the 72nd earned the Victoria Cross. The Regiment had 2 men killed and many wounded. The enemy sustained heavy losses, and lost all their Cannons. (Kabul to Kandahar Star is struck from captured cannons). 

Asmai Heights in 1879. The Regiment suffered 17 killed and 33 wounded.

Battle of Kandahar August 1880

This involved General Robert's Famous March from Kabul to relieve Kandahar where in the fighting two of the Officers were killed Colonel Francis Brownlow and Captain St.John Thomas Frome, and many more men killed and wounded. During the war the biggest killer was Disease, Cholera especially was a big killer with over 105 Officers and Men died during the war, a large majority to disease.

The 72nd Foot were joined by 78th highlanders during the war, and merged to become The Seaforth Highlanders ( Ross- shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's ). During the war the Regiment earned several Battle  Honours.

Egypt 1882. Tel El Kebir 

Following a night approach to Tel El Kebir the Seaforth Highlanders took part in the Highland Brigades charge at dawn.  With bayonets fixed they attacked the embankments of enemy forces under heavy fire, following the pipes as they went forward,  fighting was intense. The 1st Bn lost one Non-Commissioned Officer and a Soldier killed and 3 wounded. The Regiment was awarded the" Egypt 1882" and "Tel-El-Kebir"  Battle Honours on the Regimental Colours. Once again Disease claimed many more casualties, and the fatality rate were high due to  Dysentery, Cholera, Malaria, Typhoid, and bad water.