was made to commemorate "the signal successes of Her Majesty's Naval
and Military forces," both European and Native, upon the coast and in
the interior of the Empire of China. On the obverse is the diademed
head of Queen Victoria facing to the left, with the legend VICTORIA
REGINA on either side, and on the truncation of the head W. WYON, R.A.
This was the first medal issued with the Queen's head. On the reverse
is a trophy of naval and military weapons, very badly disposed, with an
oval shield bearing the Royal Arms in the centre, the whole backed by a
palm tree, and above ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM, with CHINA on a plain panel
in the exergue, and underneath the date ~1842~. The medal is 1⅖ in. in
diameter, with a plain straight German-silver clasp soldered on for
suspension from a ribbon of red with broad yellow edges, the same width
as the diameter of the medal. The names of the recipients, and the
number of the regiment or name of ship, were impressed upon the edge
in bold Roman capital letters. The reverse of this medal has been used
ever since for presentation to troops taking part in Chinese wars, the
date 1842 being deleted, and fishtail bars recording the engagements
and dates used to indicate the campaign.
SECOND AFGHAN WAR
Shah Shoojah made a very indifferent ruler, and, as I have stated, did
little to strengthen his hold on the throne upon which the British had
placed him--indeed, without British arms he possessed no authority.
The price we paid to keep this unpopular and bad ruler upon his
throne--mainly, it is true, to ensure a barrier against Russia--was
a heavy one. In October 1841 the Afghans openly rebelled at Cabul,
murdered Sir Alexander Burnes and Sir William Macnaughton, and the
troops were forced to retire upon Jellalabad, but were practically
cut to pieces on the march, Dr. Brydon--who became one of the famous
Lucknow garrison--being the only British officer to reach that city. It
is estimated that of 20,000 who left Cabul, only a few hundreds escaped
with their lives. The 44th (1st Essex Regiment) had 22 officers and
543 men killed during this disastrous retreat. Meanwhile Sir Robert
Sale with the 13th Somerset Light Infantry, which had been detached
from Cabul to deal with the insurgents in the Khoord-Cabul pass, had
occupied Jellalabad.
[Illustration: (Reverse.)
(Obverse.)
SECOND JELLALABAD MEDAL, "FLYING VICTORY," 1842.]
[Illustration: CHINA, 1842.
Awarded to Field-Marshal Hugh Viscount Gough, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I]
[Illustration: CABUL, 1842, WITH ORIGINAL STEEL SUSPENDER.]
=Jellalabad.=--The defence of Jellalabad by the little force under
Sir Robert Sale, including Captain (afterwards the famous Sir Henry)
Havelock, is the bright gem which sparkles in the dross of this
unfortunate campaign. The city was in a very poor condition when the
gallant defender seized the place and proceeded to strengthen it. On
November 12th, 1841, the garrison had only one half-day's rations, but
by a plucky sortie they managed to drive off the Afghans and obtain
supplies. The place was again invested on the 27th, but by a successful
sally on December 1st they were routed. On January 9th the leader of
the rebellion called upon Sir Robert Sale to surrender the fortress,
but he naturally refused. Not only was the indomitable spirit of the
British tried by the repeated attacks of the enemy, but it almost
appeared as if Nature herself was in league with the insurgents, for
within a month a series of earthquake shocks demolished a third of
the place and part of the defences, and necessitated continual repair
of the works. Then came the blockade by Mahomed Akbar Khan, who after
assassinating the British envoy at Cabul was responsible for the
destruction of the army which left that city. On April 7th, however,
the defenders made a determined attack upon the camp of the besiegers,
and the 6,000 men under Mahomed Akbar were put to rout, and the siege
abandoned. The regiments engaged in the defence of Jellalabad, under
Sir Robert Sale, were H.M.'s 13th Light Infantry; a squadron of the
5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 35th Bengal Native Infantry; detachments
of Broadfoot's Sappers and the 6th Shah's Infantry; half the Shah's
Mountain Train; 2nd and 6th Batts. Bengal Artillery; a few native
officers, and 682 armed followers.
=First Jellalabad Medal.=--The "Illustrious" garrison of Jellalabad,
which had kept the flag flying for five months, was awarded a medal by
General Order dated Allahabad, April 30th, 1842. It is a very simple
medal, 1½ in. in diameter, bearing on the obverse JELLALABAD in capital
block letters taking the line of the medal above a mural crown, and on
the reverse the date APRIL boldly occupying the centre, with VII above
and ~1842~ below. The suspenders were of two kinds--a steel clip and
ring, or a silver wire loop attached to a ring through a hole in the
broad flat rim. The medals were mostly issued without names; a few were
indented, but the majority were engraved. The ribbon of watered silk
is 1⅘ in. wide, and shaded rainbow fashion from crimson to yellow and
blue. Two thousand five hundred and ninety-six medals were issued, and
the relatives of those defenders who succumbed between April 7th, 1842,
and the date of issue in December received the medal. The rarer medals
are those awarded to the Shah's Mountain Train and the Shah's Cavalry,
also the 5th Bengal Light Infantry.
=Second Jellalabad Medal.=--Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of
India, being dissatisfied with the simple and somewhat crude character
of the award, had a more decorative medal designed by W. Wyon and
struck at the Royal Mint, that those who cared might exchange when
they were issued in March 1845. The men, however, were loath to part
with the original medal, and very few applied for the new one; it is
stated that of the famous 13th--the only European regiment to receive
the award--only five exchanged their medals. The obverse of the second
Jellalabad, or the "Flying Victory," bears the head of Queen Victoria
as on the China medal, with VICTORIA VINDEX above (a few were issued
with VICTORIA REGINA), and on the reverse the fortress of Jellalabad,
with a bold flying figure of Victory above bearing in her uplifted left
hand the Union Jack, and in her right two wreaths; above is JELLALABAD
VII APRIL, and in the exergue MDCCCXLII. The medal, 1⅖ in. in diameter,
was suspended from the crimson, yellow, and blue ribbon by a steel or
plated bar 2⅖ in. long. The recipient's name, etc., was impressed upon
the edge in capital Roman letters, but some were issued engraved in
script. In addition to the 13th (later called Prince Albert's Light
Infantry, as one of the honours conferred for the occasion; they
also had their facings changed from yellow to blue), the 35th Native
Infantry, 2-6th Batt. Bengal Artillery, Anderson's Horse, one squadron
5th Bengal Light Native Cavalry, and Broadfoot's Sappers and Miners
took part in the defence.
=Cabul.=--The prestige of Britain had been lowered as a result of
the insurrections, and in order to relieve Jellalabad (but it is
said to take vengeance upon the enemy), Major-General Pollock was
dispatched with an army, with which he forced the Kyber Pass and
relieved Jellalabad on April 16th, where he halted for some months
to organise his transport. Meanwhile oppressive heat and pestilence
played havoc with the troops encamped in the valley of Jellalabad, and
it was determined to divide the force and advance on Cabul, General
Pollock having a hard fight at the pass of Jugdulluck, where he beat
off Mahomed Khan and the Ghilzie chiefs. Later the combined divisions
of Pollock and Sale combated the enemy in the Tezeen pass, where, on
September 13th, Akbar Khan with 20,000 men disputed passage. His force,
however, was put to rout, and the leader escaped accompanied by a
single soldier. The debacle was complete, and on September 15th the
army encamped on the race-course at Cabul, and next day the British
flag again flew over the city.
The following troops took part in the march and recapture of Cabul:
9th, 13th, 31st, 40th, and 41st Foot Regiments, and the 3rd Light
Dragoons, who were awarded the medal for Cabul, also the following
regiments in the H.E.I. Co.'s service: 4th, 5th, 6th, and 12th Bengal
Infantry; 1st and 10th Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd Irregular Cavalry; the
5th company of the Bengal Artillery, and Sappers and Miners.
Three thousand five hundred medals were issued to Europeans for Cabul,
but very few were issued to the 40th Regiment.
=Candahar.=--Major-General Knott's defence of Candahar, if not so
famous as that of Jellalabad by Sir Robert Sale, exhibited the same
tenacity and cool determination. The rebels in the vicinity of Candahar
were led by Prince Sufter Jung, a son of Shah Shoojah, and Prince
Timour; they and their men, however, were helpless in the face of the
little British army that sallied forth on the morning of January 12th,
1842, and routed them. The success of the battle did but keep the enemy
at a respectful distance, for they spent their time in plundering
the villages in the neighbourhood. Bad weather militated against any
further effort on the part of the British general until March 7th,
when he advanced against the rebel Afghans, and again put them to
rout, but while the detachment was engaged in combating one section
of the insurgents, another made a daring attack upon the city; they
were, however, repulsed with considerable loss. Another action was
fought on March 25th, and, with the assistance of the brigade under
Colonel Wymer, the investing enemy was driven in confusion across the
Urghundaub. On April 28th Major-General (later Sir) Richard England,
after attacking the enemy at Hykulzie, successfully reached Candahar,
and enabled Major-General Knott to advance upon Cabul.
"The Fighting Fortieth" was the only British regiment present in the
defence and in the actions outside. It is noteworthy that through
disease the regiment had been considerably reduced before it took
part in the defence of Candahar. Major Biddulph states that only 64
"Candahar" medals were struck for the 40th Foot, and of these 42 were
for the relatives of deceased officers and soldiers, and 22 for sick,
etc., who had returned to India. The 41st, the Welsh Regiment, was the
only British unit that took part in the relief of Candahar. The 5th,
6th, and 12th Bengal Infantry; Poona Horse; 1st Bengal (Skinner's) and
3rd Bombay Cavalry, and Bombay and Bengal Artillery were engaged in the
defence and relief.
Only 130 Europeans received the medal for Candahar.
=Kelat-i-Ghilzie.=--Colonel Wymer, C.B., with a detachment
which included a few men of "The Fighting Fortieth," marched on
Kelat-i-Ghilzie, a hill fort 84 miles from Candahar, in order to draw
off the garrison, which had held the fort during the winter, and (on
May 21st) five days before Colonel Wymer's arrival had succeeded in
defeating 4,000 Ghilzees who had attacked the fort. The garrison
of only 950, under the command of Captain Craigie, included about
100 Europeans. For this heroic defence a silver medal was issued to
every man taking part; it is 1⅖ in. in diameter, and depends from a
steel clip and bar, as in the medal illustrated facing page 96, and
was suspended from the same kind of ribbon. On the obverse is an
ornamental shield inscribed KELAT-I-GHILZIE, surrounded by a laurel
wreath with a mural crown above. On the reverse is a military trophy,
with a breast-plate and helmet forming the central feature, and
"INVICTA MDCCCXLII" on an ornamental tablet underneath. The names of
the recipients were all engraved, generally in script. None of the
Queen's Regiments took part in the defence, the majority (600) of
the defenders being of the Shah's army. Three companies of the 43rd
Bengal Infantry, 44 European Artillerymen including one officer, and 60
Sappers and Miners of the H.E.I. Co.'s service were also engaged. Only
55 Europeans received this medal.
=Recapture of Ghuznee.=--Ghuznee, with its garrison of exhausted
and half-frozen men, had capitulated in March under the orders of
Major-General Elphinstone, who had been taken prisoner at Cabul, and
died shortly afterwards. Elphinstone's orders to surrender Jellalabad
and Candahar had been ignored by Sir Robert Sale and Sir William
Knott. They not only had the determination of Englishmen, but knew the
treacherous character of their enemies. Colonel Palmer, unfortunately,
forced by the weakness of his men and relying upon the promise of a
safe escort for his sepoys to Hindoostan, agreed to surrender. The
troops were unarmed, and with their womenfolk had hardly left the
citadel when they were attacked and the majority massacred. Colonel
Palmer was tortured, and with nine other officers thrown into a
dungeon. When Sir William Knott appeared before Ghuznee, on September
5th, 1842, he found the city swarming with rebel troops, and great
bodies of cavalry and infantry in the mountainous environs. He drove
these off, erected breaching batteries, and prepared to attack the
city, but on the morning of the 6th it was discovered that the fortress
had been evacuated; and so with very few casualties Ghuznee was again
taken, over 300 unfortunate sepoys released, and the sacred gates of
Somnath, which Mahommedan invaders had taken from India centuries
before, were taken down as mementoes of a campaign which did nothing to
improve our prestige.
The 40th and 41st were the only British regiments to receive the medal
with Ghuznee inscribed thereon. Members of these regiments who had been
in the other actions were entitled to the medals bearing Candahar and
Cabul also.
=The Ghuznee, Candahar, and Cabul Medals.=--For this war a silver
medal was issued by the Indian Government to those who had taken part
in it. Four types of medals were issued. One with the words CANDAHAR,
GHUZNEE, CABUL, 1842, the names being above one another and the date
below, all within a laurel wreath, the whole surmounted by the royal
crown; another for GHUZNEE-CABUL, 1842, with the names in entwined
wreaths and the date beneath them; and those for CANDAHAR, 1842, and
CABUL, 1842, as indicated in the illustration facing page 100 of one
with the original bright steel suspender attached to a hinged clip. The
medals are 1⅖ in. in diameter, the obverse bearing the diademed head
of the young Queen Victoria with the legend "Victoria Vindex" above;
some have the words "Victoria Regina," but these are scarce, while a
few of the medals for Cabul are spelt thus, CABVL, but it is doubtful
whether they were actually issued to soldiers. It is noteworthy that
on certain of the medals in this series the name of the executant, W.
Wyon, R.A., is on the truncation of the Queen's head instead of beneath
it. In this issue the recipients' names were engraved either in Italian
script or in square Roman letters; a few were impressed, and some were
issued unnamed. The "rainbow" or military ribbon for India is used for
suspension.
One thousand four hundred Europeans received the medal with Candahar,
Ghuznee, Cabul.
=Meeanee.=--In 1843 the "tail of the Afghan storm" arose. It followed
the attempt on the part of several Ameers, with an army of 8,000
Belooches, to obtain possession of the British Presidency at Hyderabad;
they were driven off, but owing to the weakness of the place it was
decided to abandon it for the safety of the camp commanded by Sir
Charles Napier, to whom the conduct of the campaign in Scinde had
been entrusted, and who gained for himself the native sobriquet
"Shaitan-ke-bhaee," or "The devil's brother," by his determined action
in dealing with the Ameers. He first destroyed the fort at Emaun
Ghur on January 14th and 15th, a feat which drew forth the eulogiums
of Wellington, and ruined the chance of the Ameers in the campaign.
On February 17th the battle of Meeanee was fought, 2,800 men, with
12 guns, under Major-General Sir Charles Napier attacking, and in
three hours defeating the Scindian army of 30,000 infantry and 5,000
cavalry, with 15 guns, but not before nearly all the European officers
were killed or wounded. The Belooches, who fought with remarkable
valour, lost 5,000 men, their camp and all its appurtenances falling
into the hands of the British. Next day six of the Ameers surrendered.
The only Queen's Regiment represented at Meeanee was the 22nd Foot,
and only 65 medals were issued to the regiment, with two companies of
Bombay Artillery; Grenadiers of the 1st Native Infantry; 12th and 25th
Native Infantry; a detachment of Poona Irregular Horse, to which corps
only 14 medals were issued; Scinde Irregular Horse; 9th Bengal Light
Cavalry, and half company of Madras Sappers and Miners. The 22nd lost 1
officer and 23 men killed; its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel
Pennefeather, 6 officers, and 52 men wounded.
=Hyderabad.=--The Ameers, who still held out against the British army,
made a stand with 20,000 men at the village of Duppa, near Hyderabad,
under Meer Shere Mahomed, where on March 24th they were attacked by Sir
Charles Napier with 5,000 troops, and defeated with great loss. The
arch enemy of the British, Hoche Mahomed Seede, was killed, and Meer
Shere Mahomed fled to the desert; the battle was decided by the 22nd
Regiment and the troop of Bombay Horse Artillery. In this battle the
22nd, which numbered 560 rank and file, lost 23 men killed, 5 officers
and 134 men wounded.
[Illustration: AFGHAN MEDAL FOR CANDAHAR, GHUZNEE, AND CABUL, 1842.]
[Illustration: BRONZE STAR FOR MAHARAJPOOR.]
As a result of the campaign Scinde and Meerpore passed into British
possession. The troops engaged at Hyderabad were: H.M.'s 22nd Foot; 1st
Troop of Bombay Horse Artillery; 2nd-1st and 2nd-2nd Companies of the
Bombay Artillery; 1st, 8th, 12th, 21st, and 25th Native Infantry; 3rd
and 5th Companies of Golundaze; Madras Sappers and Miners; 3rd Bombay
Cavalry; 9th Bengal Cavalry; Poona Horse and Scinde Horse; also men
from the Indus Flotilla.
=Medals for Meeanee and Hyderabad.=--The medal for the war in Scinde in
1843 was the only war medal given by the Home Government to the troops
employed in India during the period of the East India Company's rule.
The medal is practically the same as that described and illustrated as
given for Candahar, Ghuznee, and Cabul in the 1842 campaign, the name
of the battle--MEEANEE or HYDERABAD--and date, 1843, being arranged
inside a wreath surmounted by the royal crown. A third medal given to
those who were present in both actions has MEEANEE-HYDERABAD within
laurel wreaths tied together, the whole surmounted by the royal crown.
A medal for the battle of Meeanee, awarded to the 22nd, has realised
from £7 to £9. The steel suspender, as in the Cabul medal illustrated,
was issued with the medal given to non-commissioned officers and
privates, but those with the officers' medals were of silver; the
Colonel, however, of the only English regiment present--the 22nd--had,
at his own expense, silver suspenders made for his men in place of the
steel ones. The 22nd were present at both battles, also detachments
of royal and horse artillery. Some of these medals have the names of
the recipients, etc., engraved in script; others are mostly impressed
in Roman capitals. Those to the 22nd were generally engraved in block
lettering. The ribbon used is the "rainbow" or Army of India type.
THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN
The year 1843 also saw the Gwalior campaign, in which the two decisive
battles of Maharajpoor and Punniar were fought on the same day,
December 29th. "The Army of Exercise" had been assembled at Agra owing
to troubles following the death of the Maharajah. Tyajee Rao Scindiah
had been acknowledged by the British Government, and Mama Sahib was
appointed Regent. He was, however, expatriated, and an attempt made
to undermine the position of the young Maharajah. His authority was,
however, re-established, and the British army prepared to leave the
country under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough.
=Maharajpoor.=--They crossed the Koharee River on the morning of
December 29th, to find about 18,000 Mahrattas with 100 guns strongly
entrenched at the village of Maharajpoor. The British army consisted
of 14,000 men with 40 guns. A terrific conflict ensued owing to the
superiority of the enemy in artillery, but attacked on all sides by
the British force they were routed, despite the splendid determination
of the Mahratta gunners, who were bayoneted at their guns, and the
gallantry of the infantry, who discarding their matchlocks stubbornly
fought hand to hand with the British soldiers.
The regiments engaged were the 39th and 40th Foot and the 16th Lancers.
The H.E.I. Co.'s troops were the 2nd, 14th, 16th, 31st, 43rd, and 56th
Bengal Native Infantry; 1st Bengal Light Cavalry; 4th, section of the
5th, 8th Bengal Light Cavalry; 10th Bengal Light Cavalry; 2nd Skinner's
Horse; 4th Irregular Cavalry (in reserve); 2 companies of Bengal Foot
Artillery (3 companies and 4 of natives in reserve); 3 troops of Bengal
Horse Artillery and 3rd, 4th, and 7th companies Bengal Sappers and
Miners.
=Punniar.=--On the afternoon of the 29th the left wing of the army,
under Major-General Grey, discovered about 1,200 of the enemy in
position on a range of hills near Punniar, and by a brilliant attack
carried every position, and routed the enemy with considerable loss.
These two victories which terminated the war were dearly bought, over
1,000 men being placed _hors de combat_.
The Queen's Regiments at Punniar were the 3rd Buffs, 50th, Queen's
Own, and 2 squadrons 9th Lancers; 5 companies of the 39th, 50th, and
51st Native Infantry; 2 squadrons 5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 8th Bengal
and 8th Irregular Cavalry; 2 squadrons 11th Bengal Light Cavalry; 1st
Company Bengal Sappers and Miners; 2 troops Bengal Horse Artillery and
1 company Bengal Foot Artillery.
=Maharajpoor and Punniar Stars.=--For these fights the victorious
Britishers and native troops were awarded bronze six-pointed stars,
1⁷⁄₁₀ in. in diameter (as illustrated facing pages 108 and 112), made
from the captured cannon, having in the centre a small silver star
bearing the words PUNNIAR or MAHARAJPOOR, 1843, in a circle, and in
the centre the date of the action, ~29ᵗʰ· DECʳ·~ The star worn by
Lord Gough had a silver elephant on the obverse instead of the silver
star. These stars were originally fitted with broad brass hooks for
attachment to a loop on the coat, but in some instances a steel ring
was run through it, so as to allow for suspension by the rainbow ribbon
used at the time with other Indian war medals, as illustrated in the
pair for Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul, and Maharajpoor, or a silver, or
German-silver, suspender was attached, as shown in the Punniar star.
The name, number, and regiment of the soldier were engraven on the
back, at either side of the hook, in a light, slanting script.
THE SIKH WARS
The Sikh wars of 1845-6 and 1848-9, which concluded with the annexation
of the Punjab, and the Koh-i-noor diamond being presented to Queen
Victoria, were particularly hard-fought campaigns; and Lord Gough--one
of the famous fighting Goughs--whom Wellington thought unworthy to
continue the command in the second campaign, which, however, he
successfully closed, is depicted on the medal for the Punjab campaign
receiving from the defeated Sikhs the arms they were no longer allowed
to bear against us. Some state that the mounted soldier depicted on the
medal is Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert.
Runjeet Singh, who died in 1839, left an army trained by Europeans and
a young son, Dhuleep Singh. The former, numbering 60,000, inspired by
the ambitious Ministers of the infant Maharajah, crossed the Sutlej
and invested Ferozepore with the object of expelling the British from
Hindoostan, but was encountered at Moodkee on December 18th by the
"Army of the Sutlej," consisting of 3,850 Europeans and 8,500 natives,
which with 42 guns had made a tiring march of 22 miles to relieve
Ferozepore.