Afghanistan Medal clasp Kandahar (470 DRIV: J. O'BRIEN. C BATT: 2ND BDE. R.A.); Kabul to Kandahar Star, reverse engraved (470 DRR. J. O'BRIEN. C 2 R.A.)
John O'Brien enlisted as a Driver, with C Battery, 2nd Brigade, Royal Artillery on 15 January 1873 and saw service in the Afghan campaign in the march to relieve Kandahar in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
After a British defeat at the Battle of Maiwand, Kandahar was besieged by Afghan forces led by Ayub Khan. General Frederick Roberts led a rapid march from Kabul to Kandahar, culminating in a decisive British victory on September 1, 1880, effectively ending the war. O'Brien earned the Kabul to Kandahar Star in the process.
He applied for a Chelsea Pension on 5 June 1883 after 10 years 5 months service which included 8 years in India and Afghanistan. He was a Labourer from Fermoy in County Cork and was suffering from Mania passing into Melancholia. At the age of 29 he was an inmate of the County Lunatic Asylum in the City of Cork.
His medals are confirmed in his papers.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold together with research.
