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Auction: 11007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 2

The Unique and Exceptionally Well Documented ´North East Frontier 1891´ V.C. Group of Five to Lieutenant, Later Colonel, C.J.W. Grant, 12th Regiment (2nd Burma Battalion) Madras Infantry; Who Set Out With Only 80 Men to Rescue British Political Prisoners After Treachery at Manipur, March 1891; Having Discovered He Was Too Late to Prevent Their Murder, He Stormed and Captured the Fortified Position of Thobal and Held Out For 8 Days Against Overwhelming Odds, With Limited Ammunition and Growing Disease Amongst His Own Men. Twice Wounded During the Expedition, He Was Carried into Manipur By His Men a) Victoria Cross, reverse of suspension bar engraved ´Lieut: Chas. Jas. Wm. Grant Indian Staff Corps´, reverse of Cross engraved ´27th March 1891´ b) India General Service 1854-95, two clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Burma 1885-7, clasps in this order (Lieut. C.J.W. Grant 12th Madras Infy.), suspension claw loose, light pitting from Star c) 1914-15 Star (Bt. Col. C.J.W. Grant. V.C.) d) British War and Victory Medals (Bt. Col. C.J.W. Grant.), generally very fine or better, mounted as originally worn, with the following related contemporary items and documents: - Thirteen items of insignia including: 12th (2nd Burma Battalion) Madras Infantry Victorian Officer´s shoulder belt plate; 6th Punjab Rifles Victorian Officer´s pouch belt plate; 89th Punjabis Victorian Officer´s helmet plate; 92nd Punjabis Officer´s silver cap badge - Inkwell fashioned from 9 pdr shell case retrieved from Thobal by Grant, case in the shape of a horses´ hoof and engraved ´Thobal 1st April 1891´, with silver hinged lid, stamped O.R.R., surmounted by a silver cannon, all mounted on a turned mahogany base with a small silver plaque engraved ´Helen Grant from Her Son´ - Commission appointing C.J.W. Grant a Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment, dated 5.5.1882 - Royal Military College Gentleman Cadet´s Certificate, dated December 1881; Examination For Promotion Special Certificate, dated November 1889; Riding Certificate, dated 26.9.1891 - Two Parchment copies of Grant´s Record of Officers Service - Grant´s Officer´s Field Note and Sketch Book and Reconnaissance Aide-Memoire, leather bound, in which he records in detail the march to Manipur, the capture and subsequent defence of Thobal, including several detailed sketches of both actions and positions - Folder of original letters, including negotiating between Grant and the Manipuris and a coded message from Grant in Greek characters to the relief force, with a similar folder of transcripts of the originals and of diary of events made in his Field Note Book - Scrap book made by recipient replete with annotated photographs taken during the relief expedition, dedicated to ´Douglas & Helen Grant from their loving son, Charlie - 1891´ - Scrap book of newspaper cuttings relating to Grant and the expedition - Copy of Manipur, a narrative and a copy of War Office official Correspondence Relating to Manipur - Portrait photograph of recipient in uniform - Official photograph of V.C. Dinner, 9.11.1929, with original named invitation and a handwritten seating plan - Several other photographs relating to Grants military career; copies of The Dwarf, dated 4.4.1891; The Graphic, dated 18.4.1891; Punch, dated 25.4.1891 - Three letters of condolence on the death of Grant (lot) Estimate £ 130,000-160,000 V.C. London Gazette 26.5.1891 Lieutenant Charles James William Grant, Indian Staff Corps ´For the conspicuous bravery and devotion to his country displayed by him in having, upon hearing on the 27th March, 1891, of the disaster at Manipur, at once volunteered to attempt the relief of the British Captives, with 80 Native Soldiers, and having advanced with the greatest intrepidity, captured Thobal, near Manipur, and held it against a large force of the enemy. Lieutenant Grant inspired his men with equal heroism, by an ever-present example of personal daring and resource.´ Colonel James William Grant, V.C. (1861-1932), born Bourtie, Aberdeenshire; the son of Lieutenant-General P.C.S. St. J. Grant; educated privately and at R.M.C. Sandhurst, 1881; commissioned Lieutenant Suffolk Regiment, 1882; joined Madras Staff Corps, 1884; initially served as Wing Officer 5th Madras Native Infantry and was attached to the 12th Madras Native Infantry for the expedition against King Thebaw, Upper Burma, 1885-87; transferred 12th Madras Native Infantry, 1.6.1890. Manipur - Intrigue and Overthrow The small state of Manipur, under the rule of Rajah Chandra Kirti Singh, adjoined Assam and Burma. Despite having a small army the Rajah was reliant upon British protection against Burmese incursions. During the latter´s reign relations between the state and the British authorities had been cordial. In 1886 the Rajah died leaving eight sons. Sura Chandra Singh succeeded his father, however, rival factions soon appeared between the siblings. After a period of unrest, one brother, Takendrajit Singh who occupied the post of Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), allied with the 5th and 7th brothers to overthrow the declared ruler. After a fairly bloodless coup the throne was given to Kula Chandra Dhuya Singh, September 1890, and the declared ruler fled to the British Residency. The British authorities were well aware of the failings of the declared ruler, who had proved himself to be weak and unpopular amongst his subjects. Their response was to send the Chief Commissioner of Assam, J.W. Quinton, to Manipur to officially recognise Kula Chandra Dhuya Singh as Regent rather than Ruler and to remove the scheming Senapati. Quinton proceeded on his mission with an escort of 400 rifles under the command of Colonel Skene, 42nd Gurkhas. They arrived in Manipur on the 22nd of March with the intention of arresting the Senapati in open Durbar. The Senapati failed to turn up to the Durbar so it was postponed until the following day. Once again excuses were made by the Manipuris as to why he was unable to attend and the surrender of the Senapati was demanded. This was refused and at 4am on the 24th March troops were sent to the Senapati´s palace to arrest him. A sharp action ensued with the Senapati rallying his forces to counter-attack the Residency. The British forces fell back upon the Residency and came under artillery fire. With ammunition running short the decision to try and obtain a truce was made. The Chief Commissioner with Colonel Skene and three others agreed to meet the Senapati unarmed half way between the palace and the Residency. Once there treachery occurred and the party were taken captives inside the palace. The remaining British forces withdrew and the Residency was raised to the ground. News of the difficulties being experienced in arresting the Senapati had reached the Viceroy on the 29th March and troops were despatched in the hope of saving the prisoners. They were ignorance of the fact that all of Quinton´s party had already been murdered. Grant to the Rescue During this time Grant, who had been posted to the 12th Regiment (2nd Burma Battalion) Madras Infantry, was in command of a detachment of 80 men at Tammu, Burma. Given his proximity to Manipur and that it was still believed that Quinton and the others might be still alive, on the 27th March General Stewart ordered him to move at once upon Manipur with his detachment. Grant advanced with a force that was comprised of a small number of old soldiers and a large number of recruits, who had only fired a few rounds in musketry practice let alone been under live fire. There was no artillery and his transport consisted of three elephants, a few ponies and some Cossiah Coolies. The little column started out on the 28th March and had only advanced 7 miles before they were under fire. This was to prove sporadic but continual throughout the rest of the day culminating in the discovery of a road block made out of felled trees, ´Taking twenty men, he [Grant] passed beyond the obstacles , which the Gurkhas with kookris began to clear away. The Manipuris were on the hill above.... The twenty men on their way up the hillside fired 40 or 50 shots, and then rushed the position from the flank. It proved to be a shelter trench 90 yards long.... and was held by 150 men. These, in their flight, left some guns and accoutrements behind them.´ (Manipur, a narrative, refers) On the 30th Grant´s men reached Palel, which was garrisoned by 200 Manipuris. They were routed and forced to flee, with Grant pursuing them for three miles and taking three prisoners. One of the latter informed him that Quinton´s party had been executed, ´I did not like the news much, but I did not believe it. I considered the matter, and arguing that if the military authorities wished me to return they could easily recall me by a messenger from Tammu, I decided to push on. I thought I might find a fort of some kind in which I could entrench myself, leave my baggage and transport under a small guard, and go out with the rest of my men, taking plenty of ammunition. In that way I believed I might afford help to the prisoners.´ (Ibid) Grant sent a letter back to Tammu informing the authorities of what he intended to do and pushed on in the moonlight of the 30th, for Manipur. By dawn he reached a series of villages which began 4-5 miles from Thobal. The latter place being 14 miles south-east of Manipur. Advancing across open country towards Thobal they saw a bridge, directly on their route, in flames. Grant rushed to secure the bridge, when the Manipuris opened fire at close range from covered positions on the other side, ´Hurrying forward to put out fire when 200 yards from river met with heavy fire from opp. bank. Advanced by alternate rushes to 100 yds, losing one man, Mahd. Lyat shot thro´ the head by snider rifle. I was grazed by bullet, but no damage. Fire very severe and enemy entirely concealed, could only fire at puffs of smoke.´ (Grant´s Field Note Book refers) Grant reformed his men and the order to advance was given, ´they behaved beautifully. It was like a page out of the drill book. There was a volley from the right party, and a rush from the left, and vice versa.... The enemy were firing through loopholes in walls, hidden by hedges. We got to within 100 yards of them, but a watercourse was between us, and I could not tell their numbers. We lay down and fired for ten minutes, but made no impression. I went back to the supports on each flank and ordered them to creep up wide of the first firing line, but like brave fellows, as they are, they jumped up, rushed forward right to the edge of the stream and began firing. The fighting line fixed bayonets and joined them. There was a cry from the left that the enemy were running, and then we plunged pell-mell into the watercourse. It was rather deep, and one little Gurkha disappeared altogether. For a second I myself got fast in weeds, and was ignominiously hauled out by a Jemadar, but we got across somehow. The Manipuris were seen in full flight, their white clothing making them excellent targets. On the enemy´s left was a line of rifle pits, and in these numbers were caught, like rats in a trap, and bayoneted. On the right were the compound walls giving good shelter, but behind them lay a number of dead, shot through the head. There was 800 Manipuris holding this position.´ (Ibid) Grant had not found a fort ready to his hand to occupy, but he made for himself a fortified post amongst the three compounds beyond the watercourse. The rest of the day was spent destroying most of the houses in the compounds and cutting down trees to form an abatis around the walls. The Defence of Thobal The following day, ´1.4.91 6am. Enemy advancing in force. Sent out 30 men to meet them, we fired 3 shots only, dropped 2 of the enemy. I got one at 700 yards. Enemy retired behind hill. Measured ranges up to 500 yards in front of position, found blood all about from yesterday´s action.´ (Field Note Book refers) Later that afternoon the Manipuris advanced to within 600 yards of Grant´s position before being repelled, ´Then from hills 1,000 yards off, at 3.45pm, 2 guns opened fire and shelled us till 6.30pm with elongated common shell and shrapnel from two 9 pounder rifled guns. The enemies practice was very good till we got the exact range of the guns by "smoke and report" and then after 30 mins concentrated individual fire of 10 martinis we silenced one gun and the other retired to a higher hill 1500 yards off where they only ran the gun up to the crest to fire, retiring to load, and their firing was wilder, as they feared to lay the gun accurately." (Field Note Book refers) Whilst Grant was engaging the artillery the Manipuris had surrounded his position and from there kept up heavy rifle fire throughout the night. In an effort to maintain as much of their dwindling supply of ammunition as possible Grant ordered not a single shot to be fired in return during the night. On the 2nd of April the Manipuris showed no signs of renewing hostilities and Grant took the time to strengthen his position and also to pen the following summary, ´Enemy appeared from 2,000 to 2,500 strong and at 6pm occupied an enveloping line 4 miles long. They were better armed than we are. I attribute our success chiefly to the fact that the enemy are nearly all in white coats and so distinctly visible. The men´s behaviour is wonderful; under the hottest fire they pay attention to all directions.... Our expenditure of ammunition is 600 rounds since 3pm on 1.4.91. Total expenditure 2,000 rounds of 9,000. Reinforcements begin to be looked for as Gukhas have only 35 rounds per man, and we depend on their M.H.´s to silence the guns... I consider every sepoy deserves the Order of Merit..... The flags displayed by the enemy showed that the army was commanded Sarnu Hun Juba, the youngest brother of the Maharaja.´ (Ibid) At 3pm Grant was out with a party near the enemy lines when he saw a man signalling with a flag. The man came running forward and proved to be a Gurkha signaller of the 44th who had been taken prisoner at Manipur. He had a letter from a number of babus, Clerks etc who had also been taken prisoner, in it they begged Grant to go back stating that if he continued to advance they would all be killed. The letter also stated that Mr. Williams was with them. Grant thought that he remembered an officer of that name in one of the Assam Regiments and sent back a message demanding to see him the following day. ´Colonel Howlett´ Manipur takes up the narrative on the extraordinary sequence of events that followed, ´The Gurkha returned to Manipur, and came back with an offer from the Senapati to suspend fighting that day. To this Lieutenant Grant assented. Next morning Mr. Williams appeared. Lieutenant Grant met him well outside his camp, and for the first time acted the part of Colonel Howlett. He borrowed two stars from a jemadar´s shoulder-straps and placed them on his own. He was no longer a Subaltern commanding a small detachment, but a Colonel, with his regiment at his back. It was to this ruse that he unquestionably owed much of the respect with which he was afterwards treated by the Manipuris, who had no real idea of the strength of force with him, or that one solitary young officer was leading them. They had had a taste of the fighting quality of these bold intruders into their country, who continued to push forward, even when they knew that 500 Gurkhas had been beaten at Manipur itself and officers of high position killed. On meeting with Mr. Williams, Lieutenant Grant saw, to his astonishment, that he was not the officer he had expected to meet. A few words served to explain that Mr. Williams was the telegraph signaller. He stated that Manipuris had only taken him out of irons on April 1st, and sent him to Thobal to negotiate. Then followed a long conversation between the two, Mr. Williams telling Colonel Howlett, for such Lieutenant Grant said he was, and that was all that he knew.´ A series of letters were exchanged between ´Howlett´ and the Senapati via Williams. The Senapati was willing to release the prisoners if Grant left, but Grant would not leave without the prisoners. The Senapati countered with the fact that the prisoners wanted to go direct to Assam in reply to which Grant´s ultimatum was as follows, ´The babus can do as they like, but the sepoys must obey orders and come with me. If one of the prisoners is harmed the officers here will not be able to restrain the Sikhs and Punjabis from killing every man and burning every house in the country.´ Lieutenant Grant could not resist the temptation, even at this critical time, to show the contempt he had for the cowardly lot of men who attacked him and had been defeated, so he added: "P.S. - I am going to shoot some ducks, Don´t be afraid." (Manipur, a narrative refers) The rest of the 3rd of April was spent strengthening the camp, placing Panjis (sharpened bamboo spikes) around the camp and improvising fire extinguishers for the flammable rooves left in the compounds. On the 4th of April Grant received a letter from the Senapati stating that all of the prisoners had been released the day before and that Grant must return to Tammu, with safe passage guaranteed, ´Many an officer with greater experience than Lieutenant Grant would have closed with this offer and marched away, only to find himself treacherously attacked on the road and his party destroyed. But with his brevet rank of Colonel there seems to have come a ripening of his judgement, by which he was enabled accurately to gauge the danger which enveloped him.´ Grant sent a letter directly to the Regent saying that he would could not return to Tammu empty handed as he would be disgraced. He requested a man of high rank to be sent to him as a hostage to return to Tammu with. Upon receiving a telegram saying that the prisoners had safely reached Cachar he would free the hostage and give him his horse to return to Manipur. By the 5th of April it became clear that negotiations were at an end, and the Gurkha prisoner made Grant aware that the Manipuris now knew of the limited strength of his force. The following day Grant ´had to fight his third action, and the mettle of his sepoys was tried to the utmost. A little before 6 o´clock in the morning his patrols reported the enemy on the move, and their guns opened fire. Fifteen shells fell in and about the camp, wounding two of the elephants. At seven the guns ceased firing, and the Manipur Infantry advanced to the attack. This time Lieutenant Grant contented himself with holding the enclosure, which was his camp proper, on the bank of the watercourse... Not until they were within 200 yards did he give the signal for fire to be opened and then his men began pouring in steady volleys. These had the effect of making the Manipuris take such cover as was offered, behind walls and trees. At 8am finding the attack was most pressed against his left front, Lieutenant Grant took ten Gurkhas, crept along the watercourse, enfiladed the walls on his left, and in a few minutes had cleared that side..... At 11am no impression had been made on the camp, the sepoys being so well protected that they could fire accurately through the loopholes without exposing themselves. Lieutenant Grant now decided to try and clear his front a little. This time he took only six Gurkhas of the 43rd, with their Havildar. He himself was armed with a 16 bore breech-loader, double-barrelled, and his revolver. This party crept up the ditch between the road and the compounds, got to the corner and enfiladed the wall, behind which were 100 of the enemy. They ran at once; but facing the corner, and cut off from it by a deep ditch full of water, was a wall five feet high, from which the party of Manipuris began firing...... For a quarter of an hour the Gurkhas had a fine chance of snap-shots at their heads as they were raised behind the wall; while their young commander was using his buckshot cartridges with fine effect. At last the Manipuris, finding that exposure was almost certain death, sneaked away from this hot corner, and his immediate front being clear, Lieutenant Grant returned to his entrenchment.´ (Manipur, a narrative refers) There was a pause in the fighting at around noon and during this time Grant distributed his last box of ammunition amongst his men. His new instructions to them was to let the enemy advance to within 100 yards before firing. Fortunately for Grant´s men the Manipuris did not make another organised assault that day. Despite being hard pressed Grant was resolute, ´Thus our 10th day and no support. Determined not to return without hostage.´ (Field Note Book refers). After fifteen hours of constant fighting the Manipuris ceased fire for the night. At dawn on the 7th of April it appeared that most of the Manipuris had retreated to their capital. Grant, ever the professional, once again took the opportunity to strengthen his defences and search for food as supplies were running short, ´At noon two men appeared, carrying a white flag. One was a Burman postman who had been sent with a letter from Tammu to Manipur, and was carrying back a letter from the Maharaja to the Viceroy. He reported only 300 Manipuris left, out of an army between 2,000-3,000 strong who had attacked on the previous day. Lieutenant Grant opened the Maharaja´s letter without ceremony, and was amused to find His Highness complaining of the doings of one Colonel Howlett, and requesting the Viceroy to cause him to withdraw. The postman had also in his possession a telegram addressed to Mr. Quinton. This was also opened and found to be from the Viceroy.´ (Manipur, a narrative refers) Grant now saw a chance to communicate with Tammu and wrote to Captain Presgrave informing him of what had happened and where he was, ´Gave him a letter in vile French written in what I remember of Greek characters in case of treachery, telling them to hurry up.´ (Field Note Book refers) April the 8th passed without major incident, however, given the limited supplies fever and dysentery were becoming rife amongst the men. The following day a letter from Presgrave arrived with orders from Grant to retire on Palel at the first opportunity. That night there was a tremendous thunderstorm, ´Ordered march at 7.30pm. Took straw out of wounded elephant´s saddle, it has eaten nothing since wounded on 6th in belly and can carry nothing. Throw enemies ammunition in the water. Rained heavily, pitch dark, night awful. Men falling down on road with fever. Met Presgrave at 2am - rain and hail and lightning.´ (Field Note Book refers) Punitive Expedition Affording himself little respite Grant and his men were to be attached to the Tammu Column, one of three columns under the overall command of Brigadier-General Collet, C.B., which were to advance on Manipur, capture the Regent, and restore British authority. Grant and Presgrave were to wait for the advanced body of the Tammu Column under the command of Major Sir Charles Leslie. With this in mind they marched their combined force of 197 men back to Palel, ´They were advancing towards Palel when they met a picquet of the enemy, which immediately retreated. A little further on they encountered three hundred Manipuris who did not long withstand their attack. Lieutenant Grant, with a portion of his force, pursued and killed fifty of the enemy, and Grant´s charger was shot under him.´ (Manipur a narrative refers) By the 18th of April the whole of the advanced body of the Tammu Column, under Leslie, had reached Palel. Combined with Grant and Presgrave their orders were to watch the enemy movement but not to take to the field against them. Over the course of the next six days the area was fully reconnoitred, and on the 24th April a fortified position blocking the road to Manipur was found near the village of Langatel. Another Fort to Storm The mud fort appeared to be garrisoned by approximately 300 Manipuris, a letter written by Grant to his mother shortly after the event gives the following, ´On 25th I went out from Palel 50 of my own men, Sikhs, 50 of our mounted infantry under Cox and 50 2nd 4th Gurkhas, the whole under Drury of 2nd 4th Gurkhas. We had orders only to reconnoitre the enemies position, not to attack as the General - Graham and the rifles were to arrive that morning and the place was to be kept for them. The road ran along the plain due North towards Manipur and with open plain on the left and hills on the right. We saw the enemy on hills and in a strong mud fort..... I worked along the hills and drove the enemy out of them without loss. As we found them unexpectedly and had to fight in spite of orders. Then Drury sent in to the General to say we had them in a trap and would he come out with guns and more men and slate them. Then he sent the mounted infantry to the left to the NW of the enemy and we worked behind the hills to their NE, thus cutting them off from Manipur. So we went behind a hill and waited. At 11.30 we saw from the top of our hill the column from Palel, 2 mountain guns and 100 2nd 4th Gurkhas. The guns went to a hill 1000 yards to the E of the enemy fort and we waited and watched the fun.... Soon they started shrapnel and made lovely practice the enemy replying with 2 small guns and rifles. Then we got impatient and advanced and worked round to their west flank.... Then our party charged but were brought up by a deep nullah under their walls, down and up we scrambled and when a lot of our men had collected within 10 paces of their walls, firing at every head that showed. The enemy put up a white flag and I at once stopped the fire. Then they sprang up and fired at us. I felt a tremendous blow on the neck and staggered and fell, luckily on the edge of the nullah rather under cover, but feeling the wound with my fingers and being able to speak and feeling no violent flow of blood I discovered I wasn´t dead just yet, so I reloaded my revolver and got up. Meanwhile my Sikhs were swarming over the wall - I ran in and found the enemy bolting at last from the East and running away towards Manipur. My men were in first well ahead of both parties of Gurkhas. After I had seen all the Manipuris near the fort polished off I sent for a dresser and lay down in one of the huts in the fort and soon had my clothes off and found the bullet had gone through the root of my neck just above the shoulder and carried all the cloth of my collar and shirt right thro´ the wound leaving it quite clean. I was soon bound up and the men shampooed me and kept away the cramp. It was only a very violent shock and felt much better in the evening...... The Manipuris here say we killed over 400 so we paid off part of our score against their treachery.´ The next morning the column advanced to Grant´s fort at Thobal to find that it had been abandoned. Triumphant Entrance into Manipur The Cachar Column entered a deserted Manipur at 7am on the 27th April, followed by the Tammu Column and shortly after by Collett and the Kohima Column. Grant and his men were honoured, ´My Thobal party, by order of the General, being first to enter the palace on our side... I alas in my doolie did not get up till 2 hours after as it poured all the march and the mud was awful...... General Collett commanding the whole army came today to see me and said all sorts of nice things to me and his AG asked me when I would be a Captain and said I wouldn´t be one long! - meaning I would get a brevet majority - but all these people are very excited now and talk of my getting brevet rank and VC and DSO, but when these things get home to Wolseley he will cut them all out as he usually does with Indian officers and if I get anything at all I will be content.´ (letter to mother dated 28.4.1891 refers) The Royal Family had fled Manipur, destroying both the Rajah´s palace and the armoury before they left. The remains of the Chief Commissioner and the rest of his party were exhumed from the grounds of the Residency and given a proper burial. Chandra Dhuya Singh, his brother Prince Angao Sana and the Senapati were captured in May, the latter was tried and executed, and the two others were exiled to the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Pomp and Ceremony Grant was to receive his brevet Majority and was presented his Victoria Cross by the Governor at Ootacmund, 6.7.1891, ´The Band played the National Anthem, and the Guard of Honour, drawn up on the terrace below presented arms... the decoration of the Victoria Cross was handed to His Excellency the Governor, and the Adjutant-General of the Army conducted Major Grant to the front of the platform, the Band playing "See the Conquering Hero Comes." At the same ceremony all of the men that were with Grant at Thobal were awarded the Order of Merit. When questioned about their part in the action at Thobal they attributed everything to Grant, ´How could we be beaten under Grant Sahib? He is a tiger in fight. When hundreds of Manipuris were coming close he just took ten men out to stop them, and in a minute they had beaten the enemy back. We could not help winning under such a sahib.´ Later that year Grant was appointed A.D.C. to Lieutenant-General Sir J.C. Dormer, Commander-in-Chief, Madras. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel in June 1904 he was given command of the 89th Punjabis in 1906. Made Brevet Colonel the following year he served as Commandant of the 92nd Punjabis, 1907-11. Grant retired in 1913, only to re-engage as D.C.O. attached 3rd Royal Scots for service during the Great War. He lived out the rest of his life in Sidmouth, Devon.

Sold for
£230,000