Famous war Major's Grade II listed mansion is bought for £93,000 at auction

A grand Grade II listed mansion which was home to a colonial era British Army General has been snapped up for just £93,000.

The historic building was once owned by Major-General Sir William Nott, famous for his exploits in the first Afghan War, which was fought between 1838 and 1842.

Sir William, born in Neath, Wales, is regarded by historians as by far the best British general in the Anglo-Afghan War.

Against all odds, he won a major victory over Afghan forces near Ghazni on August 30, 1842, which led to the capture of Kabul and ultimately the end of the war. 

He then returned to England where he died two years later.

Since his death in 1845 his former home, on the outskirts of Carmarthen, West Wales, has been used as an asylum, a convalescent home and most recently as offices - now named Job's Well House.

Now the once palatial mansion has been sold at auction - with the new owner needing to put in some serious work to restore it to its former glory. 

The 7,883 square foot (732 m2) building was sold on a 999 year lease and has a large garden to the front of the property.

Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, which sold the propert, said: 'It really is a fascinating building which has a wealth of history attached to it covering very many years.

'The sale of the house provides an inspired new owner or investor with an opportunity to redevelop this grand Grade II listed period property.'

The building is part of a new plan to develop the area, which includes building 1,100 new homes, businesses and a new school. 

The mansion was sold for £93,000 - nearly double the £50,000 guide price and less than a parking spot in wealthy parts of London.

The auctioneer's listing said of the building: 'An opportunity is available to redevelop this grand Grade II listed period property located on the periphery of Parc Dewi Sant.

'The property provides accommodation suitable for residential conversion, education training facility or many other commercial uses subject to planning.

'The park is currently undergoing an ambitious transformation to provide a Business Hub focusing on Health, Leisure and Education Service Providers, amongst others.'

Sir William was an army officer in the East India Company who commanded British and Anglo-Indian forces in the First Anglo-Afghan war. 

He was born into a farm family of modest means in Glamorganshire, Wales, and travelled to India in 1800 where he received a commission into the army.

Throughout his military career he commended the qualities of Indian soldiers serving in the British army, according to the Library of Congress.

His most famous exploit was commanding a force in the first Afghan War which marched from Kandahar and defeated 12,000 Afghan soldiers at Ghuznee in 1842, before continuing on to take Kabul.

Sir William was highly commended by his superiors and he was invested as a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Bath, the highest award for his military rank.  

A bronze statue of Sir William was erected in his home town in 1851, cast from some of the 56 guns captured by British soldiers in 1843 in the Battle of Maharajpur. The statue now has Grade II listed status.