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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 21

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Mooltan (Lieut C. R. B. Calcott. 10th Foot), mounted on a silver riband buckle for wear, contained within an attractive and contemporary velvet-lined brown leather case, the lid inscribed: 'Lieut. C. R. Berkeley Calcott. 10th. Regt.' in block gilt lettering; the underside with a piece of paper pasted upon it, with a hand-written ink inscription: 'My medal of the Campaign in the Punjaub is to be given to the eldest surviving son of my late brother George Wallis of Oundle - C. Berkeley Calcott, Sept. 1907', last three letters of 'Foot' re-engraved, highlights polished, scratches and minor pitting, otherwise good fine and better

Charles Rowland Berkeley Calcott was born in Caynham, Shropshire, on 14 December 1827 and appointed Ensign without Purchase in the 10th (North Lincoln) Regiment of Foot in October 1845 at the tender age of 18. The regiment having been in India since 1842, Calcott travelled 'out East' to join them in time for the Siege of Mooltan (April 1848 - January 1849) and Battle of Goojerat (February 1849); promoted Lieutenant (again without Purchase) in December 1848, his 'Statement of Services' also confirms his participation in those engagements with his regiment.

Transferring to the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot in 1852, he purchased a Captaincy in the same unit in 1855, at which time the 26th were serving on garrison duty in Bermuda. Calcott appears to have seen some further active service, being noted: 'Served as a Staff Officer under Major General Storks, commanding the Bosphorus during the Russian war in 1855-56' (War Services of Lieutenant Colonels Retired by Sale, &c, p.1118, Hart's Annual Army List, 1908, refers) and retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 28th Foot on 1 April 1870.
Colonel Calcott lived to the grand old age of 94, dying at Cheltenham in 1921, and was therefore possibly the last surviving officer of the Punjab campaign. It is also worthy of note that the young Lieutenant Calcott kept a diary during his time in India: dated 18 August 1848 - 7 April 1849, it is held by the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London, Accession Number 2001-09-318.

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Sold for
£850

Starting price
£320