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Auction: 22075 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 16

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (R. A. Hamilton. 14th Lt. Dragns), highlights polished, some light scratching, about very fine

Robert Alexander Hamilton enlisted for service with the 14th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1841, giving his age as 18 and his birthplace as St. Luke's in Middlesex. He was allocated the regimental number 983 and served with the 14th throughout their time in India, returning home with the regiment and being discharged in 1860.
Arriving in India in May 1841, the 14th Light Dragoons were to remain in there for nearly 20 years; in that time they saw heavy fighting in the Second Anglo-Sikh War, especially at the battles of Ramnagar (22 November 1848), Chillianwala (13 January 1849) and Gujrat (21 February 1849).
The action at Ramnagar earned them the nickname "The Ramnuggur Boys" (an event which is still celebrated by their descendants, the King's Royal Hussars, to this day) and resulted in the death of their Commanding Officer, Colonel Havelock; at Chillianwala the regiment retreated in panic before the Sikhs due to confused orders from the Brigade commander, Brigadier Pope, but at Gujrat they redeemed themselves in the pursuit of their defeated enemy over a distance of at least 12 miles.

Sold with a card index note, stating: "Bought WHB, Seaby 26 April '46, 17/6".

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Sold for
£1,000