Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880, awarded to Private J Rooney, 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot

Bronze, five-pointed star surmounted by an Imperial Crown and suspension ring. On the obverse, the inscription, 'Kabul to Kandahar 1880'; the reverse is inscribed with the recipient's name. The medal is suspended on a watered silk red, white, yellow, white and blue ribbon.

This medal was issued in 1882 to the 10,000 or so British and Indian soldiers who took part in Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts' epic march from Kabul to Kandahar between 9-31 August 1880. Despite the difficult terrain and the high temperatures Roberts covered nearly 300 miles and hardly lost a man. On 1 September 1880 he defeated Ayub Khan outside Kandahar and relieved the besieged British garrison, effectively ending the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).