Kabul to Kandahar Star (1379 Sergt. J. Chrismas 9th. Lancers)

Medal(s) & Clasps Verification: No. 1379 Sergeant John Chrismas 9th Lancers is confirmed entitled to the Kabul to Kandahar Star, as well as Afghan Campaign Medal with 3 x clasps together with an Army LS&GC medal per the below following referenced sources:

- Afghan War Medal 1878-80, 3 x clasps 'Charasia', 'Kabul' & 'Kandahar': WO 100/51, served 'E Troop'
- Kabul to Kandahar Star: WO 100/51, shown serving with 'E Troop'
- Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal: GOCC Simla 28/10/1889

The Army LSGC awarded without gratuity while serving as Sergeant Instructor with Cawnpore Light Horse 

John Thomas Chrismas, son of Charles Henry Chrismas (an Engineer) and Eliza Jane Chrismas (nee Holland) was a native of Brighton, Sussex, England where he was born in 1853, and where he was baptized on 22 January 1854. Described as a 'Clerk' John, attested for the 9th Lancers at Westminster, London, on 2 August 1871. Initially sent to barracks at Woolwich, York, and Colchester. On 12 October 1875, he embarked for overseas service in British India, when he sailed on the 'Euphrates'. John never again returned to his native country. John was evidently a model soldier, who was promoted as under:

- 19/03/1875: Lance-Corporal
- 08/03/1878: Corporal
- 14/06/1879: Lance-Sergeant
- 15/06/1879: Sergeant

John Thomas Chrismas, married the widow Jane Albertina Vallally (daughter of Robert Daniel David Lecky, an Inspector with the East Indian Railway Company) at Cawnpore, India on, 18 June 1885. At the time of his marriage he was serving attached as Sergeant Instructor to the Cawnpore Light Horse. The couple were blessed with the birth of 4 x children, 2 x daughters (Stella May Chrismas b.1888 & Louisa Celina Chrismas b.1896) and 2 x sons (Albert Ernest Chrismas b.1887 & Holland John Lecky Chrismas b.1890) all of whom were born in Cawnpore, India, between 14 January 1887 to 14 January 1896

Sergeant John Thomas Christmas, transferred to the 16th Lancers on 2 October 1890, and took his final discharge form the British Army at, Lucknow, India on, 15 December 1893. At discharge his character and conduct were described in single word 'Ememplary'. His record of military service was:

- Home: 02/08/1871 - 08/01/1875
- India: 09/01/1875 - 16/11/1879
- Afghanistan: 17/11/1879 - 09/12/1880
- India: 10/12/1880 - 15/12/1893

At the time of his retiring from the British Army, his service papers were endorsed with:

Quote,

Discharged after 21 years service towards pension (Under the Royal Warrant of 1878) with permission to reside in India. Authority A.G. India 7180/C dt Simla 10th Novr 1893

Unquote.

After retiring from the British Army, John Chrismas, accepted an appointment of responsibility with a local 'Sugar Works' located in Cawnpore. He is recorded to have died at Cawnpore, India on 16 August 1901. The cause of his death was 'septicaemia' (blood poisoning) . He was buried at St Patrick's Chrich Cemetery, Cawnpore, later on the very same day as his death

The medal retaining most of the original black lacquer finish and fitted with a piece of original silk riband

Sold together with a photocopied set of the recipients extant service papers

Condition: GVF

Code: 25696