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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 32

The Second Afghan War Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir H. B. Thornhill, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., C.I.E., Indian Staff Corps, late Northumberland Fusiliers; after serving as Inspecting Officer of Cantonments on the North-West Frontier, Thornhill was decorated for organising efficient sanitation at the 1902 and 1911 Durbars. During the Great War, the War Office appointed him Inspector of Prisoner of War Camps; in 1915 he became Assistant Adjutant-General

A naturalist, artist and sportsman of prodigious talent, Thornhill produced over 800 drawings of Indian plants and animals which were finally published in 1987

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lieut. H. B. Thornhill. 1/5th Fusrs.), extremely fine

[C.M.G.] London Gazette 3 June 1918.

[K.C.I.E.] London Gazette 12 December 1911.

[C.I.E.] London Gazette 26 June 1903.

Henry Beaufoy Thornhill was born at Agra on 7 January 1854, the third son of Cudbert Bensley Thornhill, C.S.I., of the Indian Civil Service. As a child of three he witnessed the Indian Mutiny, when his mother and her young family took refuge in Agra's citadel for over a year. Educated at Eton, where he was in The Rev. W. B. Marriott's house, he gained a commission in the 1st Battalion, 5th Foot (Northumberland Fusiliers) on 23 April 1873. The Battalion was stationed at Chakrata on the North-West Frontier on 8 October 1878, when it received orders to advance into Afghanistan. It reached Jamrud on 13 December, and was initially employed on convoy duties in the Khyber Pass. Thornhill took part in both Bazaar Valley Expeditions, aimed at destroying hostile villages and reducing the power of the Zaka Khels. He was appointed to the Bengal Staff Corps on 21 March 1879.

In 1880, after hostilities ended, Thornhill was posted to the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal as a Civil Administrator. This role amply demonstrated his energy and managerial flair. A talented naturalist, he introduced new species of trees to the islands, describing himself as 'mad on trees'. This was more than horticultural curiosity; timber from the trees became the islands' main export, transforming their economic output. Thornhill made extensive studies of natural history, producing important drawings. He learnt the calls of every Indian bird, and could repeat them with eerie accuracy.

In 1882 Thornhill married Margaret Massey, daughter of Lieutenant-General George Wheeler, with issue of two sons and one daughter. He became a Captain in the Indian Staff Corps on 8 January 1885 and was appointed Cantonment Magistrate, North-West Provinces in 1891, and Inspecting Officer of Cantonments in 1903. He was promoted to Major on 27 June 1893, and Lieutenant-Colonel on 18 July 1899. His talent for organisation saw him appointed Executive Sanitation Officer during the 1902 and 1911 Durbars, a role which involved putting up endless tents and lavatories, constructing roads, and piping water to 500,000 people. Thornhill was decorated for his services: he became a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1903, rising to Knight Commander in 1911.

Thornhill retired on 15 March 1912. That year, at Srinigar in Kashmir, his daughter Madge gave birth to his first grandson, named Teddy. Thornhill doted on the lad, his knowledge of animals providing hours of entertainment. Once, while taking Teddy to London Zoo, he caused pandemonium in the primate house by imitating the call of an Indian monkey. He drew over 800 animal drawings for Teddy, some whimsical, but others highly accomplished and virtually Cubist in feel. The onset of the Great War saw him attached to the War Office as Inspector of Prisoner of War Camps. He was then appointed Assistant Adjutant-General (London Gazette, 7 June 1915).

After his wife died in 1917, Thornhill showed even greater affection towards his grandchildren, sending them weekly parcels across the seas. These remarkable illustrations were published in 1987, under the title: Pictures in the Post: The Illustrated Letters of Sir Henry Thornhill to His Grandchildren. In scale and complexity of artwork, this tome rivals The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. Thornhill re-married in 1925. A freakishly tall man at 6 foot 8 inches, he was a prodigious sportsman; special cricket bats had to be made for him. At tennis, he defeated the renowned brothers R. F. and H. L. Doherty, who went on to dominate the Wimbledon men's singles title between 1897 and 1906. He died at Montreux, Switzerland on 26 April 1942. His obituary, entitled 'Lieut.-Col. Sir Henry Thornhill: A Mutiny "Baby"', appeared in The Times two days later. Many of his letters are held at The British Library (Mss Eur B298/18).

Sold with obituaries, and a copy of the charming Pictures in the Post: The Illustrated Letters of Sir Henry Thornhill to His Grandchildren (Bantam, 1987).



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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£320