A RARE & SERIOUSLY OUTSTANDING “FOUR CLASP” AFGHANISTAN, MEDAL with KABUL to KANDAHAR STAR & EGYPT MEDAL, with KHEDIVES STAR, (Victoria Cross Action) GROUP OF FOUR (With Hat Badge)

To:
L/CPL-SGT, 974. W. MITCHELL
72nd (Duke Of Albany’s Own) Highlanders.

Afghan medal with clasps:
PEIWAR KOTAL,
CHARASIA,
KABUL,
KANDAHAR


Egypt Medal with clasp:
TEL-EL-KEBIR




To:

L/CPL-SGT, 974.
W. MITCHELL
72nd (Duke Of Albany’s Own) Highlanders.

With original Victorian Hat Badge.

[BIOGRAPHY]
William Mitchell was born in Arbroath, Forfar, Scotland in 1846. Prior to enlistment he had been a Blacksmith. He joined the army at age 19 on 7th January 1865 at Aberdeen. He saw major service with the 72nd in Afghanistan and Egypt and was awarded the four medals in this group and in addition he also earned a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. However, and due to a later recorded offence of “Embezzlement” he was reduced in rank to Private and initially had all his medals forfeited. Eventually, his commanding officer clearly relented and his four original service medals were restored to him in 1887, but his boss clearly saw fit to maintain the forfeiture of his LSGC.

[THE SGT GEORGE SELLAR, VICTORIA CROSS ACTION]
On 14th December 1879, Sgt George SELLAR of 72nd won a Victoria Cross at Asmail Heights near Cabul. The 72nd was involved in a well documented ambush attack when they suddenly became exposed to heavy Afghan fire on a mountain track. Sgt SELLAR immediately rushed forward up to the front of the column to defend his troop of men which contained William Mitchell. SELLAR then took part in hand to hand combat with several members of the enemy and was severely wounded in the act. George Sellar’s name is immediately below that of William Mitchell on the medal roll.

Four clasp Afghan medals in complete original groups are as rare as hens’ teeth and are very seldom encountered. This is a very rare & highly desirable group which is closely linked to a V.C. action. This is a “must have” for the serious Scots collector or early Victorian enthusiast.

Complete with rarely surviving service papers (copies in colour) which clearly detail William Mitchell’s Financial Offence & Subsequent Court Martial.













All medals are totally original and are in nice VF+ / EF with a time developed natural and undisturbed grey tone. Normal, but light, general contact marking from star points.

(SOLD)