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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 601

(x) Pair: Riding Master R. Crux, 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery

Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Drill Serjt. R. Crux, 2nd Brigade Horse Artillery), fitted with replacement screw-back and straight bar suspension; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Actg. Qr. Mr. Serjt. R. Crux, 2nd Bde. H. Arty.), attractively toned, light pitting from Star, good very fine (2)

Richard Crux was born circa 1815. He enlisted at Westminster on 16 March 1836 for unlimited service in the East India Company's Artillery, joining the H.E.I.C. recruiting depot at Brompton Barracks, Chatham on 23 March 1836. Allocated to the Bengal Presidency, he embarked for India aboard H.M.S. Repulse on 1 June, arriving at Calcutta on 9 October. He was subsequently posted as 343 Gunner, 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery.

On 29 December 1843, Crux participated in the Battle of Maharajpoor during the Gwalior campaign. Sir Hugh Gough's victory, gained at the cost of 800 casualties, effectively destroyed the Mahrattas as a fighting force. Deployed with the 16th Lancers on the right flank, the Horse Artillery moved with great dexterity, inflicting severe casualties on the Mahrattas as they fled to the River Ahsin. In 1847 Crux was assigned to training duties, the Muster Roll for that year listing him as a Drill Sergeant.

Crux again saw action during the 1848-49 Punjab campaign, also known as the Second Sikh War. Present at the Battle of Chilianwala on 13 January 1849, he took part in the decisive British victory at Goojerat on 21 February (medal with 2 clasps). This victory was largely attributable to the Bengal Artillery, General Gough writing in his subsequent report: 'the rapid advance and beautiful fire of the Horse Artillery and light field-batteries ... broke the ranks of the enemy at all points.'

Crux was subsequently promoted to Sergeant-Major, and on 30 March 1853 he was commissioned as Riding Master of the 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery. He died at Mian Mir on 25 November 1860; sold with copied service papers.


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Sold for
£1,500