THE FINE AFGHAN 1878 AWARDED TO THE LT COLONEL COMMANDING THE 28TH BOMBAY NATIVE INFANTRY WHO AFTER ARRIVING AT KANDAHAR SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE TROOPS RETREATING FROM MAIWAND ON 28 JULY 1880, COMMANDED A COLUMN DURING THE DISASTROUS SORTIE TO DEH KHOJA DURING WHICH HE WAS TWICE SEVERELY WOUNDED IN ACTION (MID). PROMOTED COLONEL FOR HIS ACTIONS DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND AGAIN MID, AS BRIGADIER-GENERAL, HE COMMANDED THE NUSSERABAD BRIGADE 1885-6 AND WAS AWARDED MADE C.B, IN 1891

C.B. London Gazette 30 May 1891

Army List for 1890: "Colonel T. R. Nimmo served in the Afghan war of 1878-80 , and took part in the defence of Candahar (mentioned in despatches) including the sortie of Deh Khoiah - severely wounded (mentioned in despatches, Medal)”

Thomas Rose Nimmo, the son of Dr Roert Nimmo of Auchinblae, Ayrshire was born in 1831 and as a Gentleman Cadet, entered the Bombay Army as an Ensign on 11 December 1849. Appointed to the 28th Bombay Native Infantry, with which regiment he would serve with up until 1885, his promotions were as follows: Lieutenant on 15 November 1853, Captain, 11 December 1861, Officiating Wing Commandant 1864, Captain Bombay Staff Corps, 12 September 1866, Major, 11 December 1869 and Lieutenant Colonel, 11 December 1875.

On 22 January 1880, the 28th Bombay Native Infantry under Lieut Colonel Nimmo left Surat for service in the Afghan War. Split into several detachments, headquarters under Nimmo arrived at Kandahar simultaneously with the troops retreating from Maiwand on 28 July 1880, the regimental rearguard being attacked as they neared the city walls.

On 16 August 1880, five companies of the 2/7th (367 men), along with companies from the 19th and 28th Native Infantry, formed part of a force of 900 infantry and 300 cavalry, sent on a sortie from Kandahar to attack the nearby fortified village of Deh Khoja. The plan which had originally been intended to involve a much larger force was foolishly stripped down in size by Brigadier-General Brooke and he would lead the attack, which was to be divided into three columns. Lieut-Colonel Nimmo lead one column, which consisted of 1 company of the 7th Foot and 3 of the 28th Bombay Infantry, the other two columns lead by Colonel Daubeny and Colonel Heathcote.

After suffering heavy casualties, the force finally reached the village, which was made up of a warren of streets and houses, perfect for defence. In the fierce hand to hand fighting that followed and with enemy reinforcements streaming into the fight, retreat became the only option. Brooke himself was killed, as were many of his senior officers and…………

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Condition NEF, small EK or better, with pin for wear, complete with original box and packet if issue, with spare ribbon. Sold with digital research.