Lot 569
A NO BAR 12th FOOT KAM DAKKA CASUALTY MEDAL 22/4/1879.
An Afghanistan Medal without bar, named to 32B/473 Private John Welsh 1st Battn 12th Foot.
John Welsh served in the Suffolk Regiment during the Afghanistan War, being Killed in Action during the Battle of Kam Dakka. The Regiment lost 2 Killed and 5 wounded during the Battle.
Captain O'Moore Creagh with 2 guns and a Squadron of 10th Bengal lancers, also three Companies of Infantry, were refused entry into the Village of Kam Dakka by the hostile inhabitants. They camped outside the increasingly hostile village, before in the morning seeing Mohmand forces crossing the river in strength.
They moved to fortify a nearby cemetery, building a stonewall breastwork. as the work neared completion the Mohmands launched their attack. Using crops and rocks to cover their advance, a hand to hand combat using knives and swords took place. Whilst Captain O'Moore Creagh's force were able to hold their position, ammunition was running short and faced annihilation.
In the meantime General Maude suspicious of his political advisor, despatched various forces to support Creagh's force.
A messenger sent by Creagh the previous evening, arrived from Dakka with further forces around 3:00pm led by Captain Strong.
Leaving a guard on the pass through which they had come, they broke the attack. Leading a force in the attack with 12th Lancers and Creagh's men, they dispersed the Mohmands.
As the British force began to withdraw, the Mohmands regrouped and once again moved into place to resume the attack.
They were thwarted by the arrival of Mjr Dyce and a Company of the 12th Foot, together with two artillery pieces. Again the Mohmands were forced to disperse under fire,
The withdrawal of the force was taken at a slow pace, hindered by carrying their wounded and amid constant attacks by the Tribesmen.
Two men were Killed in Action and five wounded, from the 12th Foot (Suffolk Regt)
For this action Captain O'Moore Creagh was awarded a Victoria Cross.
Read the VC book for this action, also the Suffolk Regiment History.
See Illustration
