Sgt William GILLESPIE, 325 2/8th Regt 2nd Afghan War

[kaiteegee]

Hello,I wonder if anyone can help me? I was given a bag of coins by my motherinlaw the other day and in it i found an Afghan war medal! It has no ribbon or bars with it and its quite dirty so I'm finding it difficult to make out the writing around the edge but i think it reads No_325 SERGt WN GILLESPIE 2 8th REGt_
I am intrigued as to any info i can gather in connection with it.
Many thanks!

[colenso]

Kaiteegee,

A warm welcome to the forum.

According to the Agfhan medal rolls, your man was a Corporal during the campaign and is entitled to the medal with clasp Peiwar Kotal. The 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment were according to Maj L.L.Gordon (BBM) present at this action (2nd December 1878). For further reading I would advise - Shadbolts -Afghan Campaign 1878-1880

Hope this is of help

regards olenso

[kaiteegee]

Thanks Olenso I'l check that out,much appreciated!

[Fatscouse]

Hi
I am a grest grandson of William Neale Gillespie of the 8th Liverpool Reg. My brothers & I have just bought this medal from a dealer in Bristol. I would love to know where it has been all these years!! Any info you can provide would be much appreciated. The medal will now go on display at the Liverpool museum, along with a photo album & some hand written notes from my grest grandfather.
Regards Ian George Gillespie

[Mark]

Hi Ian

It is wonderful to hear that you found an ancestors medal after all that time out of the family! I have also had this great experience recovering an Indian Mutiny Medal to one of my ancestors who served with the German Legion. As to your question I would email member 'kaiteegee' and see if he/she can shed any more light on the subject. This member has not logged in since 2010 but has provided an email address on their profile page.

Mark

[Fatscouse]

Hi Mark
Thanks for the tip.
I will send an email.
Ian

[Fatscouse]

Hi Mark
I have tried to send a private message but it looks like is is stuck in the 'out box'.
Has it been sent?
Ian

[Jim Murray]

Ian I believe its sits in the outbox until its read by the recipient
Jim

[kaiteegee]

Hi Ian,

Sorry for the slow reply but I rarely get to check my emails these days working full time & being mum of a 2 year old!! Lovely to hear you,I still actually have the medal i was talking about though. I bought a ribbon for it & I did show it to someone who said that the sides had been worn down & it had been re stamped on! Apparently it's something that was done by soldiers who lost their own medals & wanted to replace them!?! I presume your great grandad must have done it but how my MIL ended up with it is a bit of a mystery-we are in north wales only about an hour from Liverpool! I have considered selling it a few times but it didn't feel right so i've just hung on to it!

Regards Sam

[Fatscouse]

Hi Sam
Thanks for getting back to me. What an intregue! The medal we have now bought seems to be the original, with clasp & ribbon. If your theory is right. My great grandfather most have lost or sold it & then acquired another to replace it! Who else would bother to put his name on another medal! Does the surname Gillespie or Hopley feature on the side of your MIL?
It would be nice to find a connection.
Cheers
Ian George Gillespie