Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Afghan War medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel James Eman, C.B., who fought with the British Legion in Spain 1835-35 and was killed at the head of the 41st at the storming of the Redan, 8 September 1855

Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842 (Lieut. James Eman, 41st Regt.) fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension, good very fine £1400-1600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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James Eman was first commissioned as Ensign in the 41st Regiment on 25 March 1836; Lieutenant, 16 August 1838; Captain, 9 October 1846; Major, 26 November 1852; Lieutenant-Colonel, 6 November 1854.

Lieutenant-Colonel Eman served in Spain with the British Legion from July 1835 to January 1836, and was present with the various skirmishes with the enemy during that period. He served with the 41st throughout the campaign of 1842 in Afghanistan and was present in the engagements with the enemy on the 28th March and 28th April in the Risheen Valley, in those of 29th May near Candahar, 30th August at Goaine, 5th September before Ghuznee; at the occupation and destruction of that fortress and of Cabool; the expedition into Kohistan, storm, capture and destruction of Istaliff, and the various minor affairs in and between the Bolan and Khyber Passes (Medal).

He accompanied the 41st to the Crimea, and was present at the battles of Alma and Inkermann. On Colonel Carpenter’s death in the latter action, he succeeded to the command of the regiment. He was severely wounded at the storming of the Redan, 8 September 1855, whilst endeavouring to lead the men into the work, and died the following day.

‘The brave and beloved Commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Eman, succeeded in getting many of his men to follow him. Just as he was well inside the work, with his sword raised in the air, he was shot through the lungs. Just before he was wounded, Lieutenants Lowry and Byam of the 41st had passed him with 30 men, and Colonel Eman had shouted to them ‘that’s right, Byam, lead them on, there are more of our men in.’ But when the Colonel was shot the men again resorted to firing and taking up positions behind any available cover, until a great body of Russians issued from the trench and drove them with the bayonet into the apex of the Redan.’

Lieutenant-Colonel Eman, who had been appointed a Companion of the Bath in July 1855, was buried on Cathcart’s Hill. Sold with research.