Afghanistan Victorian Medal Group

[Darrell]

Another recent purchase arrived today. Included was the Afghanistan Medal (w/ Kandahar + Ahmed Khel Clasps) plus the Kabul to Kandahar Star awarded to a Sergeant Thomas Penn of the 2/60th FOOT.

A GVI Issue Imperial Service Medal was also part of the group, but (thanks to Michael http://70.87.163.50/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif) it appears this belonged to his son.

I will be receiving some paper work on this one in the next couple of weeks that should explain everything (fingers crossed). Until then, here is what I have so far.

1. Afghanistan Medal

As is often seen with the Egypt Medals (with damage done by the Khedives Star), the Afghan Medal took a kicking from it's often paired mate - The Kabul to Kandahar Star.

[Darrell]

Script Engraved Naming on Afghan Medal:

[Darrell]

Next up, the Kabul to Khandahar Star. This was awarded to all those who took part in the March from kabul to Khandahar in August 1880 and thus to anyone who earned the KANDAHAR Clasp to the Afghan Medal. Supposedly made from the Bronze metal of the guns captured from the Afghan Rebels during the final battle fro Kandahar.

[Darrell]

Finally the Imperial Service Medal GVI Issue, likely his son's. I will know more when the paper work comes.

[Darrell]

Here is a much better picture vs. Scan of the naming on the reverse of the star :thumbup1:

[Darrell]

Well .... the research came in a few days ago. Not as many answers as I would have liked, but interesting none the less. It appears that Penn Sr. did have quite a family -- a total of 6 children, 1 of which was named Thomas Henry Penn. More than likely the ISM belongs to him. The WW1 service records were being viewed by someone else, so that may have to be another day.

Appears he made 3 different tours in India, 1 in Afghanistan and 1 in South Africa during his almost 23 years of service from July 1874 through Feb 1894.

1. Attestation Papers:

2. Description at Attestation. Once again, it's quite amzing how small these soldiers were during this period. Most of us would have been giants living back then.

5 ft 4 1/2 inches

3. Statement of Service 1:

4. Statement of Services 2:

Interesting to note -- "Transferred to Madras unattached list 15 Sep 1891 for employment in the Burma State Railway Volunteer Corps as a 2nd Class Sergeant Instructor"

5. Military History Sheet:

6. Closeup of the details of service locations:

[Darrell]

The following are a series of Medical History Sheets:

[Darrell]

1. Marriage and Baptism Sheet. This shows his wife and siblings. Among them at the top is his son Thomas Henry Penn. The one whom the ISM belongs to.

2. Closeup of the names:

3. Finally the official Medal Rolls confirming the Afghan Medal (w/ Clasps) and the Kandahar Star. NOTE* This first sheet is attached for the header information. The next page shows Penn's name.

4. Finally a closeup of Penn's name on the 2nd Sheet.