Hi Garen,my great great uncle was a private in the 72nd(Duke of Albany's)Highlanders.His name was Henry Steen.As far as I know he recieved the Bronze star for the march to Kandahar with clasps for what looks like Peirua(maybe Peiwar Kotol),Chavaxia(maybe Charasiah),Kabul and Kandahar.I would if possible I like confirmation of what the clasps should be.
Also do you know where I might find artwork relating to the 72nd during the campaign.I have found some with the 93rd Highlanders but none so far for the 72nd who were in the thick of the battle ar Kandahar.
Lastly where might I find an image of what uniform the 72nd were wearing at this time.
I am trying to find out as much as possible about his army career and any help will be greatly appreciated.
add on. Now have images of uniform and his records.
George.
Hello George - I'm always interested in fellow 72nd researchers as I had two gggg-uncles in the regiment in Afghanistan. You say you've already got a picture and his record, but I'll put down some answers anyway.
You're right, the 72nd were in the thick of it all but there always seems to be more pictures of the 92nd than the 72nd (the 92nd also had their fair share of action, of course, but served for a shorter duration than the 72nd). I put it down to the 92nd wearing kilts and the 72nd trews, so the 92nd had more visual flair! There is a great photograph of a 72nd soldier, a later photograph but dressed as he would have been in 1879, in
Victorian Colonial Wars by Philip J. Haythornthwaite, p.15 (1988). There are a few contemporary photos around too and prints from The Illustrated London News.
As you correctly suggest, Henry Steen received the Afghan War medal with clasps for Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar, and the Kandahar Bronze Star for the march - the maximum a 72nd soldier could get for one of the most decorated regiments in the conflict.
Best - Garen
