Second Anglo-Afghan War
The 8th Hussars returned to India in 1879 and then moved on to Afghanistan to bolster Lord Roberts’ army, which was engaged in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
Afghanistan, 1879-80
The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars were ordered to India, and thence to the North-West Frontier, on the declaration of war which resulted from Russian interference in the affairs of the Amir Shere Ali and his refusal to receive a British envoy in Kabul.
The expeditions sent into Afghanistan were successful in removing Shere Ali from the throne but the ensuing treachery of his successor and the general unrest of the tribesmen kept the British busy in their flying columns.
The Regiment had their squadrons each attached to different columns and spent most of their time on punitive missions, but the left wing fought on 17 May 1880 at Shershai against the Shinwarries and in their defeat managed to quieten down that area.
The regiment returned home in 1889.
Campaign Medal
The Afghanistan Medal 1878-80. The Afghanistan Medal, sanctioned on 19 March 1881, was awarded to members of the British and Indian armies who served in Afghanistan between 1878–1880 during the Second Afghan War, the first war being from 1839–1842.
