Cap worn by Major-General Frederick Sleigh Roberts during the 2nd Afghan War, 1880 circa (sealskin)

Brown sealskin cap worn by Major-General Frederick Sleigh Roberts during the 2nd Afghan War, 1880 circa. Roberts became a national hero during the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) when he commanded the Kurram Field Force, leading it to victory at Peiwar Kotal in December 1878, and later the Kabul Field Force which occupied the Afghan capital in October 1879 following the murder of the British envoy. Roberts also led his troops on the legendary march from Kabul to Kandahar. Despite the difficult terrain and the high temperatures he covered 280 miles (400km) in 20 days and hardly lost a man. In September 1880 he defeated Ayub Khan outside Kandahar and relieved the besieged garrison.