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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 399

Pair: Captain T. H. Pearson, 1st Goorkha Regiment, late 66th Bengal Native Infantry

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. T. Pearson. 66th Bengal N.I.); India General Service 1845-95, 1 clasp, Bhootan (Lieut. T. H. Pearson. 1st Goorkha Regt.), some edge bruising, overall very fine (2)

Thomas Pearson was made Ensign on 13 June 1857 and joined the 66th Bengal Infantry as Lieutenant on 18 May 1858. On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, the 66th Regiment of Native Infantry was stationed at Almora, Naini Tal, Bhim Tal and the outposts of defence at the foothills towards Bareilly, which was considered to be the real danger point and where its centre of gravity was concentrated for much of the period it was engaged in suppressing the Mutiny. It was not engaged in operations connected with the defence, relief and capture of Lucknow. However, a Nepalese Contingent of an estimated strength of 3,000 all ranks, with a small cadre of British Officers attached from the East India Company, was deployed extensively in the Oudh Province where, in March 1858, it took part in operations leading to the capture of Lucknow. As a British officer of a Goorkha Regiment of the East India Company, it is assumed that Lieutenant Pearson would have been an ideal candidate to serve with the Nepalese Contingent as a liaison officer.

In October 1865, the 1st Goorkha Regiment was despatched for field service with the Bhutan Force, which it joined at Buxar in late December. It was not involved in any subsequent fighting and remained there until the end of 1866, tasked with the construction of roads, field works and bridges, being noted as having suffered considerably from cholera and scurvy. Nevertheless, the unit were entitled to the Medal & clasp under Government General Order No. 86 of 1870. Pearson and was promoted Captain on 19 December 1867 and the following year he was listed as on furlough.



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Sold for
£750

Starting price
£500