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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 1

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (William. Barlow, 22nd Light Dragoons), edge bruise, contact marks, nearly very fine

Provenance:
Sotheby's May, 1908.

One of only 54 clasps issued to the cavalry for this campaign.

William Barlow was born at Bowden, Chester around 1772. Enlisting with the 22nd Light Dragoons on 25 June 1806 and he went on to serve with them for over 19 years, seeing service in the Java Expedition 1811 to seize the Island of Java from Franco-Dutch forces. The Regiment landed on 5 August 1811 along with the artillery, and the next day a small number acted as escort to the then-Colonel Robert Gillespie. This party encountered Batavian pickets across the Anjole river but were unable to engage as the bridge had already been destroyed. The expedition was able to cross the river uncontested on the evening of 7 August however, and the advance continued. The nature of Java made the deployment of cavalry difficult, however the 22nd were utilised in the traditional role of pursuing retreating enemy after the action at Weltervreeden. It seems some of the regiment may have taken part in the fighting dismounted, Gillespie's Brigade Orders refer to:

'I have also to thank Captain Gall of the Body-guard, Lieutenant Dudley of the dismounted dragoons twenty-second regiment, and Captains Smithwayte and M'Craith of the Madras pioneers, for their support in the affair.'

The returns of those killed and wounded note a detachment of the 22nd Dragoons who lost no troopers killed or wounded but did suffer two horses wounded. The British order of battle for the assault upon Cornelis again places Lieutenant Dudley's dismounted dragoons in the line of battle, in this case on the left flank. The column was guided into position by a deserter who rode at their head escorted by Serjeant Smith of the 22nd. The attack was a success and after a fierce battle the defences were carried; at the critical moment Colonel Gillespie led the mounted detachment of the 22nd after the fleeing enemy. The fleeing Batavians rallied on more than one occasion leading to a series of running battles however in the end the vast majority of the force was cut off. They made another stand at Campong Macassar but the 22nd broke through their barricades and took almost 5,000 prisoners. The 22nd suffered far heavier losses in this engagement with 6 dead and 17 wounded. The wounded included the commander of the dismounted detachment, Lieutenant Dudley, who was again 'mentioned' although this time by the Adjutant General. Another noted participant was Major Travers who commanded the Regiment's mounted detachment. The Battle of Cornelis ended effective resistance in Java, though the stubborn resistance of General Janssens carried on well into September.

Barlow transferred to the 13th Light Dragoons on 13 September 1819 likely as a result of the 22nd being set to disband, this taking place in 1820. He was invalided on 27 August 1823, his record stating that he was suffering from:

'An Incontinence of urine for long duration'

He had served at this point for over 24 years, largely in India and his conduct was described as 'good'; sold together with copied medal roll, Adjutant's roll for the 22nd Light Dragoons and discharge documents for 13th Light Dragoons.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£480