Medals Database > By Country > Great Britain (19th Century Campaign Medals)

The Kabul to Kandahar Star

Average Price:

£500 to £1,200
($640 to $1,530)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 19 March 1881
Country: Great Britain

The Kabul to Kandahar Star (or the Roberts Star or Kandahar Bronze Star) was awarded to British and Indian troops who had participated in the 320 mile march from Kabul to Kandahar in Afghanistan between 9 and 31 August 1880. It was also awarded to the troops stationed en route at Kelat-i-Ghilzie, who accompanied General Roberts on the final ninety miles to Kandahar.

The march took place to relieve Kandahar, where a British force was being besieged by Afghan forces. On reaching Kandahar, Roberts decisively beat the Afghans on 1 September 1880 at the Battle of Kandahar and lifted the siege. The war was concluded soon after.

Just over 11,000 Kabul to Kandahar Stars were awarded, all recipients also receiving the Afghanistan Medal, usually with the ‘Kandahar’ bar.

The Kabul to Kandahar Medal Design

The Kabul to Kandahar medal is a bronze five-pointed star measuring 62mm high and 48mm wide and suspended by the Imperial Crown. The medal was made from guns captured at the Battle of Kandahar.

The obverse displays, in the middle, the royal monogram “VRI” surrounded by the text “Kabul to Kandahar 1880”. The reverse is plain with a hollow center, with the name of the recipient around the edge.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The Ashantee Medal

The Ashantee Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British, Colonial, and allied native forces during the Third Anglo-Ashanti War.

The Queen’s Sudan Medal

The Queen’s Sudan Medal was awarded to British and Egyptian forces which had taken part in the Sudan campaign between 1896 and 1898.

India General Service Medal (1854) - British Pre-WW1 Medals

The India General Service Medal (1854)

The India General Service Medal is a campaign medal issued to officers and men of the British and Indian armies for various campaigns.

The New Zealand Medal

The New Zealand Medal is a campaign medal awarded to Imperial and Colonial troops in the New Zealand Wars of 1845–47 (and 1848) and 1860–66.

The Canada General Service Medal

The Canada General Service Medal is a campaign medal awarded to both Imperial and Canadian forces for duties related to the Fenian raids.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database.