- List of Second Afghan War Victoria Cross recipients
The
Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded to 16 members of theBritish Armed Forces for action during theSecond Afghan War of 1878–1880. The Victoria Cross is amilitary decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previousBritish Empire territories. The VC was introduced in Great Britain on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during theCrimean War , and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command. The first ceremony was held on 26 June 1857, when Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients inHyde Park . [Ashcroft, Michael; preface; XI–XIII]The original Royal Warrant did not contain a specific clause regarding posthumous awards, although official policy was to not award the VC posthumously. Between 1897 and 1901, several notices were issued in the "
London Gazette " regarding soldiers who would have been awarded the VC had they survived. In a partial reversal of policy in 1902, six of the soldiers mentioned were granted the VC, but not "officially" awarded the medal. In 1907, the posthumous policy was completely reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six officers and men. [LondonGazette |issue=27986 |date=15 January 1907 |startpage=325 |endpage= |supp= |accessmonthday=28 August |accessyear=2008] The Victoria Cross warrant was not officially amended to explicitly allow posthumous awards until 1920 but one quarter of all awards for theFirst World War were posthumous. [Crook, MJ, Chapter 8 pp.68–90] [LondonGazette |issue=31946|date=18 June 1920|startpage=6702|endpage= |supp= |accessmonthday=19 September|accessyear=2008]In the 19th century Afghanistan was seen as an important
buffer state to the north-west of British-ruled India. In 1866Sher Ali Khan came to power and was initially well disposed towards Britain. Over the next ten years, relations between the two countries deteriorated, primarily over the issue of Russian encroachment on Afghanistan. In 1878, Sher Ali reluctantly allowed a Russian mission toKabul , and refused entry to theViceroy Lord Lytton. This led to Britain sending him an ultimatum demanding a British envoy be accepted into Afghanistan; when this was ignored, Britain sent in three columns of British troops.Arthur, Max; p.115] The three British columns proceeded over theBolan Pass toKandahar , theKhyber Pass toAli Masjid and through theKurram Valley to Kabul. After several large victories for the British in 1878, fighting continued in the harsh mountainous terrain through the early months of 1879. As the British marched on Kabul, Sher Ali fled, leavingYakub Khan to sign theTreaty of Gandamak on 26 May 1879 which required a British envoy in Kabul and the relinquishing of foreign affairs to the British. When the Afghan army mutinied in late 1879,Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts launched punitive actions and he occupied Kabul on 6 October 1879. After a popular uprising in December, Roberts withdrew toSherpur where they were besieged for three weeks before launching a major attack on 22–23 December when they occupied Kabul once again.Abdur Rahman Khan was instated as Emir in July 1880 but Ayub Khan led a rebel force which defeated the British at theBattle of Maiwand and besieged Kandahar. Roberts led a force from Kabul to Kandahar which defeated the rebels at theBattle of Kandahar on 1 September 1880. British forces withdrew in 1887 after Abdur Khan confirmed the initialTreaty of Gandamak and Britain's control over foreign policy. [Arthur, Max; p.116]Recipients
References
;General
*cite web |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/victoriacross.asp |title=Victoria Cross Registers |publisher=National Archives (UK) |accessdate=2008-04-11
*cite book |last=Arthur |first=Max |authorlink=Max Arthur |title=Symbol of Courage; Men behind the Medal |publisher=Pan books |date=2005 |pages= |isbn=978 0 330 49133 4
*cite book |last = Ashcroft |first = Michael |authorlink = Michael Ashcroft |title = Victoria Cross Heroes |publisher = Headline Book Publishing |date = 2006 |doi = |isbn =0755316320
*cite book |last=Crook |first=M.J. |authorlink= |title=The Evolution of the Victoria Cross |publisher=Midas books |date=1975 |pages=pp.115–119|doi= |isbn=0859360415
*cite book |last=Harper, Glyn; Richardson, Colin |title=In the face of the enemy: the complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand |publisher=HarperCollins Auckland |date=2006 |isbn=1869505220;Specific
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