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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 430

A campaign group of three awarded to Major-General B. T. Stafford, 22nd Native Infantry, an East India Company Veteran who fought the Tiaping, the tribes of the North-West Frontier and in the Khyber Pass

China 1857-60, no clasp (Lieut: B. T. Stafford. 22nd P. N. Infy.), engraved naming; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Looshai, Jowaki 1877-8 (Major. B. T. Stafford 22nd Nat Infy); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Col: B. T. Stafford. 22nd Ben: N. I.), contact marks and minor bruising, nearly very fine (3)

Boyle Torriano Stafford was born on 4 August 1828 in Semur, France the son of Major-General John Stafford and Frances Maria Stafford. He was educated at the Ecole Superieure in Le Mans. However upon the early death of his parents he moved to Calcutta. East India Company Director Major-General James Caulfield nominated him as a Cadet for the Bengal Infantry, with his papers being passed to the Military Committee on 15 November 1848. Appointed Ensign on 6 January 1849 he served with with 65th Bengal Native Infantry from 13 March-30 June 1849. Transferred to the 18th Bengal Infantry on 13 July 1849, he was promoted Lieutenant on 12 August 1853.

He married Georgiana Eliza Heathcote in 1854. Stafford was appointed Adjutant to the right wing of 18th Bengal Infantry at Shahjehanpore from 4 August 1855-February 1856 at the same time performing the role of Station Staff Officer. From there he moved on to Meerut where he commanded a section of cavalry from 5 October-18 December 1858 before becoming the Officiating Adjutant of the Meerut Levy on 19 January 1859. Appointed Officiating Second-in-Command of the Agra Levy on 26 April 1859 and then Second-in-Command of the 11th Punjab Native Infantry on 25 November 1859; (this regiment was commanded by his brother, Joseph Fitzmaurice Stafford). Promoted Captain on 21 April 1860. The 11th Punjab Native Infantry was renamed the 22nd Punjab Native Infantry in 1861.

The Regiment shared in the action in China and notably was engaged with the Taiping rebels at Shanghai from April-May 1862. During this period British, French and Imperial Qing troops drove the Taiping Armies from the vicinity of Shanghai in a series of engagements. Stafford was still serving as Second-in-Command during this fighting. He later served as Acting Commandant for the same regiment from 17 January-31 October 1863 and the next year as Wing Officer from 28 January 1854. Promoted Major on 9 December 1864, he served gallantly during the Looshai Expedition 1871, notably leading a detachment of the 22nd in the capture of Khotel on 23 December.

Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1874, he took part in the Jowaki expedition in 1877 against the Jowaki Afridis raiding British territory from the Kohat Pass. Their presence in the area led to their becoming involved, almost immediately after the Jowaki expedition, in the Second Afghan War. The 22nd Infantry served as part of the Khyber Line Field Force which advanced through the Khyber Pass under the command of General Bright. After the war was concluded Stafford remained in India. Promoted Colonel on 9 December 1886, he was placed upon the Unemployed Supernumerary List. Promoted Major-General in 1890, he retired on 1 April of that year. Fittingly given his service with them he was made Honorary Colonel of the 22nd Punjabis in 1904. Major-General Stafford died at St. Leonards-On-Sea at the age of 84 on 21 March 1913, he was survived by his wife Georgiana; sold together with copied research including regimental rolls and a newspaper obituary.

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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£600