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Ghuznee Medal 1839, Colonel Joseph Orchard, 1st Regiment of Bengal European Light Infantry
Ghuznee Medal 1839, campaign medal
Accession Number

NAM.1966-02-51-2

Description

Ghuznee Medal 1839. From the Orders and Medals of Col Joseph Orchard (1790-1847), 1st European Regiment Light Infantry, Bengal, 1838-1846. Associated with the Battle of Ghuznee, 1st Afghan War (1838-1842), 1839. Joseph Orchard (1790-1847) was born Joseph White Jeffery in Newfoundland, and changed his name in 1807. In that year he was commissioned as an ensign in the Bengal European Regiment, rising to the rank of brevet colonel in 1846. As a captain he took part in the siege and capture of Bharatpur (Bhurtpore) in 1826, and during the 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) was present at the capture of Ghuznee in 1839 and the occupation of Kabul. Appointed in 1846 to command the 4th Brigade of the Army of the Sutlej, he died in February 1847 from injuries sustained when he was thrown from his horse on parade some months earlier.

Events

Ghuznee, Battle of, 1839 (1st Afghan War 1838-1842)