Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul (Bt. Major F. S. Carr, 5th Punj: Cavy.) very fine £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Ferderick Schomberg Carr was born in London on 8 April 1845, son of Andrew Morton Carr, Barrister, and Emily Caroline Fortescue (née Kerr). His mother was the fourth daughter of Major-General Lord Robert Kerr, K.H., and grand-daughter of William John Kerr, Earl of Ancrum and 5th Marquis of Lothian.

Frederick Carr was commissioned Ensign in the Bengal Army on 26 July 1861, and arrived in India in November of that year where he was posted to 104th Bengal European Fusiliers. Promoted Lieutenant on 18 September 1862, he was, in September 1863, appointed to officiate as a Doing-Duty Officer in the 10th Native Infantry. In October 1864 he was appointed to officiate in the same capacity in the 9th N.I., but he never joined that regiment, and remaining with the 10th, he was appointed to officiate as a Wing Officer in that corps in January 1865. In January 1866 he was appointed Second Doing-Duty Officer (afterwards styled Second Squadron Subaltern) in the 5th Punjab Cavalry, and on the rolls of that corps he remained for the rest of his service.

In December 1877 and January 1878 he served in the campaign against the Jowaki Afridis, at first as orderly officer to Brigadier-General Keyes, and afterwards in command of a detachment of the 5th Punjab Cavalry, and was present in the affairs of Jamu and Ghariba (Mentioned in despatches; Medal and clasp).

In January 1878 he was appointed a Squadron Commander in his regiment. In November of the same year he was appointed Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General to the Kuram Valley Column, and with it served throughout the first phase of the Afghan War 1878-79, including the assault and capture of the Peiwar Kotal and the engagement at Matun, in the Khost Valley. He rejoined his regiment in the summer of 1879, and, on the renewal of the war, in September, proceeded with it on service through the Kuram Valley to Kabul, taking part in the skirmish at Karatiga, the action of Charasia and cavalry pursuit, and in the severe fighting round Kabul and defence of Sherpur in December 1879, including the cavalry pursuit of 24 December (three times mentioned in despatches; Brevet of Major; Medal with three clasps).

In the cavalry affair on 14 December 1879, on the Koh Asmai Heights, near Kabul, Captain W. J. Vousden, serving with the squadron of the 5th Punjab Cavalry commanded by Captain Carr, won the Victoria Cross. The squadron was acting as escort to Battery G/3, R.A., when, at midday, Captain Vousden, with about a dozen men, came across on the Bala Hissar road, and in open and level country, a body of Kohistanis, numbering from three to four hundred, making for the bridge over the Kabul River. After rapidly charging through and through the enemy, backwards and forwards, several times, they swept off round the opposite side of the village and joined the rest of the troop. Six men of Captain Vousden’s little band of twelve were wounded, of whom three subsequently died, and when the enemy dispersed they left no fewer than thirty of their number on the ground, all killed by the sword, of whom Captain Vousden had himself cut down five.

Brevet Major Carr returned with his regiment to India in March 1880, and afterwards served with it at various posts and stations on the frontier, twice officiating as Second-in-Command. In 1884 he was in command of a detached squadron at Sibi, in Baluchistan, and with it took part in the Zhob Valley expedition of that year. In March 1889 he was appointed Second-in-Command of the regiment, and he held that position until his death, which occurred at Rawal Pindi on 29 March 1890.