The Battle of Maiwand
A Joint Lecture Partnership with The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum
The 66th (Berkshire) Regiment received no official recognition for its services in the Battle of Maiwand in Afghanistan in 1880. No Victoria Crosses were awarded for the good reason that no one qualified to make recommendations had survived. It was a defeat, so no Battle Honour could be given. Nor, apparently, did it warrant a bar to the Afghan Medal. However, no one had anything but praise for the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment. Even the Afghans, who valued courage above all other virtues, had been impressed, and one of their Colonels who had been present spoke in glowing terms of their admiration for the Regiment’s conduct. General Primrose, in his official despatch to the Commander-in-Chief, India, wrote:
". . . . history does not afford any grander or finer instance of gallantry and devotion to Queen and Country than that displayed by the 66th Regiment on the 27th July 1880."
Watch this fascinating joint lecture with The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum to hear Jon Wort uncover the fascinating story of the Battle of Maiwand and describe the actions of some of the individuals who were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).
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Watch the recorded lecture and Q&A below. The lecture will is 1 hour in duration. For best viewing results use Google Chrome.
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