Description
Afghanistan Medal 1878-80, two clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar awarded to Private, later Serjeant, Frank Toe, 2nd Battalion 60th Regiment of Foot (1515 Pte. F. Toe. 2/60th Foot) light pitting to obverse and naming, otherwise fine
2nd Battalion 60th Rifles
Commanded by Lt. Colonel Joseph James Collins. The 60th Rifles joined the South Afghanistan Field Force, Reserve Division, at Multan in October 1878. November saw some companies of the regiment on escort duty to General Stewart and various Royal Artillery Divisions before they arrived via the Bolan Pass at Quetta towards the end of December. On 8th January 1879 the 60th Rifles marched through Kandahar, which had surrendered on the previous day. They had an expedition to Kelat-i-Ghilzai before returning and camping at the old 1839 British barracks at Kandahar (where Collins joined and took command of his regiment), until the end of March 1880 when they marched with Stewart to Ghazni, taking part in the action at Ahmed Khel. After some time in the Logar valley, the regiment eventually moved to Kabul at the end of July. After the march to Kandahar in August the Rifles were engaged with the enemy during the reconnaissance of Baba-Wali, and during the following day in the Battle of Kandahar that defeated Ayub Khan. They reached Quetta again on 19th September, and then onto Sibi, where Lt. Colonel Collins died of dysentery. With Macgregor they went out against the Marri tribes and then finally returned to Mirat on 24th November 1880.
Frank Toe enlisted for the 39th Regiment on the 30th of May 1867 a 17-Year-old labourer from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion 60th Regiment on the 1st of July 1867. Her served Home 18th of May 1867 to the 13th of September 1867, India 14th of September 1867 to the 10th of December 1878, Afghanistan 11th of December 1878 to the 7th of October 1880, Mari Country 8th of October 1880 to the 14th of November 1880, India 15th of November 1880 to the 24th of January 1881, South Africa 25th of January 1881 to the of January 1882, Home 12th of January 1882 to the 31st of March 1890. Serving 22 years 318 days with the Colours. His papers confirm the “Afghan Medal with clasp for Ahmed Khel and Kandahar and Bronze Star”.
Sold with copy Service papers and copy Medal roll confirming medal and clasps
