Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers Part I 859


Pair: Captain A. P. Samuells, 32nd Punjab Pioneers, who was attached to the 7th Royal Fusiliers throughout the Umbeyla campaign, and who died of disease contracted on campaign in Afghanistan


India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Umbeyla, Bhootan (Lieut. Attd. A. P Samuells H.Ms. 1st Bn. 7th Regt.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Capt. A. P. Samuels. 32nd Ben. N.I.) mounted in a contemporary glazed oval frame together with small oval portrait photograph, miniature I.G.S. with 2 clasps, and silver 32nd Punjab Pioneers cap badge, extremely fine (2)


£1,000-£1,200


Alexander Pringle Samuells, ‘the younger of two brothers who lost their lives in connection with the Afghan War, was the third son of the late Edward Alexander Samuells, Esq., C.B., of the Bengal Civil Service. He was born at Muzaffarpur, India, on the 8th August, 1843, and educated at Loretto, Musselburgh, N.B., and Wimbledon. In 1860 he entered the Indian Army as an Ensign on the general list of Infantry, and was attached to the 7th Royal Fusiliers through the Umbeyla (N.W. Frontier) campaign of 1863-64, being present at all the operations in which that regiment took part. After hostilities were concluded, he was appointed to the 32nd Punjab Pioneers, with which corps he served continuously until his death. Alexander Samuells took part in the Bhutan campaign of 1864-65, and subsequently assisted in the construction of the Ranikhet road and in the Bengal Famine Relief Works of 1874. In 1877 he accompanied the 32nd to Quetta, Baluchistan, as Wing Commander, having been appointed successively Wing Officer, Quartermaster, and Adjutant; and took part in all the military works on which the regiment was engaged, both on the Quetta fortifications and in the Bolan Pass. He subsequently served with the regiment throughout the campaign in South Afghanistan, being present - during part of the time as second in command - in the advance over the Khojak Pass, and the expedition against the Kakur tribes in the Thal-Chotiali country. On the conclusion of hostilities he was appointed permanently second in command, in succession to Colonel Fellowes, who died on the return march.


Captain Samuells’ health had suffered much during this campaign; and in the hot weather which succeeded, he became seriously ill with dysentery and fever. Notwithstanding his debilitated state, he accompanied the regiment to the Khyber Pass and Jalalabad Valley on the renewal of hostilities in the autumn of 1879, and remained with it - taking his share in all the trying work which fell to its lot in the second campaign - until July, 1880, when his health completely broke down. He was then invalided, but too late. The return through the Pass was more than he was equal to, and on arrival at Rawal Pindi he died of hospital abscess.


Captain Alexander Samuells had received the Indian war medal with clasps for Umbeyla and Bhutan, and was entitled to the Afghanistan medal. At a course of garrison instruction he had been specially mentioned for proficiency in Military Law; and he had successfully passed the examinations qualifying for service on the Staff. Throughout his career he bore the reputation of an officer possessing sound judgement and great esprit de corps. His loss was deeply felt by all ranks of the 32nd, both British and Native; for in life he had been distinguished for the sympathetic interest he took in all regimental matters and in every individual member of the corps, from his British comrades to the youngest Sepoy.


Captain Samuells married, in 1874, Georgina Margaret, eldest daughter of the late George Paterson, Esq., of Castle Huntly, Perthshire, N.B. A memorial has been erected over his tomb by the officers of his regiment and the Sepoys of his company.’


The above biographical notice is taken from The Afghan Campaign of 1878-1880 by S.H. Shadbolt. A more detailed biography can be found in Soldiers of the Raj by G. W. De Rhé-Philipe and Miles Irving; copied extracts from both publications sold with the lot.


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