Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Second Afghan War Medal awarded to Captain S. A. Swinley, 11th Bengal Lancers, who died of typhoid in May 1879

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Capt. S. A. Swinley, 11 Ben. Lans.), nearly extremely fine £400-500

Silas Adair Swinley was born in Agra in the North West Provinces of India in July 1843, where his father was then serving as a Captain in the Bengal Artillery (see previous two Lots). Obtaining a direct commission in April 1861, he was placed on the General List of cavalry officers of the Bengal Establishment and landed at Calcutta that May.

Initially appointed to duty with the 8th Hussars, he joined the 3rd Bengal Cavalry in November 1862, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant prior to being invalided home after a riding accident in December 1870. On returning to India in 1873, he was appointed Station Staff Officer of Nowgong, Bundelkhand, in which capacity he remained employed until December 1876, officiating on occasion as Cantonment Magistrate and 1st Class Political Agent, and gaining advancement to Captain. Then in November 1877, Swinley gained appointment as 3rd Squadron Commander in the 11th Bengal Lancers. Shadbolt takes up the story:

‘On the outbreak of hostilities with Afghanistan in the autumn of 1878, he took part in the month of November in the advance of Sir Samuel Browne’s Division into the Khyber Pass, being present at the capture of Ali Musjid, and subsequently sharing with his regiment, during the succeeding winter and early spring, the heavy convoy and escort duties which fell to its lot. It was while he was on detached duty, commanding a post between Jellalabad and Gandamak, that he was attacked by typhoid fever which subsequently proved fatal to him. It is characteristic of him that he sent intimation of his illness to Regimental Headquarters, but continued in a spirit of self-devotion to do duty for days after he should have applied to be relieved. When he rode into Gandamak with the daily escort, his health was completely broken; and a few days afterwards, on 24 May 1879, he died, deeply regretted by the many friends to whom his sterling qualities had endeared him.’

Two Squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers were present at the capture of Ali Musjid in November 1878, and assuming Shadbolt is correct in numbering Swinley among their ranks, he would certainly be entitled to the relevant clasp.