India
The 4th (Queen’s Own) Light Dragoons spent some time in Ireland before sailing for their first tour in India in 1821.
For seventeen years they remained peacefully in the easy soldiering routine of India, stationed at Kaira and Kirkee until two squadrons were called upon to join the Bombay column marching to Kabul.
Ghuznee 23 July 1839
In 1839 the first fighting was done storming the defended fortress of Ghuznee in which the 4th was ready should they be needed, and later in the year, Kabul was taken without a fight.
Battle of Ghuznee, 23 July 1839 in the First Afghan War
The 4th (Queen’s Own) Light Dragoons were in the Bombay Army that took part in the expedition into Afghanistan in 1839 to depose Dost Mohammed.
On 23 July they were present at the siege of Ghuznee, although it was entirely an infantry assault and they were reduced to the role of spectators.
Why not find out more about what life was really like during The Capture of Ghuznee.
Fortunately, they were called back to India in 1840, thus avoiding the infamous retreat from Kabul from which there was only one survivor two years later.
Foreign Service ended in 1841 when they were sent back to England and Ireland commanded by the witty and unorthodox Lord George Paget, son of the great Marquis of Anglesey, a 7th Hussar.
Campaign Medal
The Ghuznee Medal 1839. The Ghuznee Medal is a British campaign medal awarded for participation in the storming of the fortress of Ghuznee in Afghanistan, from 21 to 23 July 1839 by troops of the British and Indian Armies. This action, the Battle of Ghazni, took place during the First Anglo-Afghan War.
This was the second medal awarded to all ranks of the British Army for a specific campaign, the Waterloo Medal being the first.
