Circular silver medal with swivel ribbon suspension bar; the face with the veiled crowned head and shoulders of Queen Victoria facing left, circumscribed ‘VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX (Victoria Queen and Empress); the reverse with a column on the march in a mountainous landscape, an elephant bearing a cannon to the fore, circumscribed above ‘AFGHANISTAN’ and dated ‘1878-79-80’ below; attributed on the edge to ‘2606, PTE. F. CHAP IAN, 2/7TH. FOOT’, the ‘M’ in the surname partially erased; a few surface scratches to the face; on replaced correct ribbon.
The Medal was instituted on 19 March 1881 to be awarded to participants in the Second Afghan War of 1878 to 1880.
Private Frederick Chapman was born at Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in 1853 and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers on 14 January 1873. He served with the Regiment in Afghanistan from February 1880, and ‘distinguished himself [at the] Siege of Kandahar 1880’ (recipient’s service papers refer). He was honourably discharged on 25 April 1899 after 26 years and 102 days with the Colours.
Sold with twelve sheets showing his full service history, medical record, battalion roll extract and a copy of the Medal Roll confirming entitlement.
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