Pair: Captain C. J. Orr, 3rd Native Infantry, Hyderabad Contingent, attached 5th Punjab Native Infantry

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lt. C. J. Orr. B.S.C.); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 (Capt. C. J. Orr 3rd Infy. Hybd. Contgt.) both fitted with contemporary silver riband buckles, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £500-£600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Second Afghan War 1878-80.

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Charles James Orr was born on 29 May 1852, the son of Surgeon Major-General John Henry Orr, C.B., latterly Inspector-General of Hospitals and Surgeon to the Queen. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 14th Foot on 23 June 1875, transferring to the Indian Army on 28 June 1878.

During the Afghan War of 1878-80, he was attached to the 5th Punjab Native Infantry, joining the regiment at Kabul in January 1880, being garrisoned at Sherpur and performing convoy and fatigue duties. Lieutenant Orr ended his secondment in July 1880. He was promoted to Captain on 2d June 1886, and next saw active service in Burma, where the 3rd Infantry, Hyderabad Contingent formed part of the 6th Brigade, under Brigadier-General R. Low, C.B., in Upper Burma on 1 November, 1886. During the campaign, Orr was appointed second–in-command and on 16 November, the same year, Wing Commander. The Regiment returned to India in early 1888. Captain Orr died prematurely at the age of 41, from Tuberculosis, on 15 June 1893, at Leverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Sold with comprehensive research, including a group photographic image of the Officers of the 5th Punjab Native Infantry, Kabul 1880, annotated, featuring the recipient, and mounted in a glazed display frame.