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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 43

The outstanding campaign group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel F. T. Stewart, 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs, Indian Army, who was Commandant of that famous force

Cutting his teeth in Central Africa, he commanded a Column in the operations to locate and cease the slavers in those parts; latterly serving extensively on the North-West Frontier, Stewart commanded his Regiment at the outbreak of the Great War

Central Africa 1891-98, 1 clasp, Central Africa 1894-98 (Capt. F. T. Stewart. 45: Sikhs.); India General Service 1895-1908, 3 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, Waziristan 1901-2 (Captn. F. T. Stewart. 45th Sikhs.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Major F. T. Stewart 45th Rattray's Sikhs.), official correction to surname; 1914-15 Star (Lt-Col. F. T. Stewart, 45 (R) Sikhs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. F. T. Stewart.); Russia, Imperial, Order of St Stanislaus, breast Badge with Swords, gold and enamel, by Osipov, maker's initials to reverse and marks to sword tips, good very fine (7)

Russian Order of St Stanislaus, Military Division, 3rd Class London Gazette 15 May 1917.

Francis Thornton Stewart was born on 29 July 1865, the son of Major-General C. J. Stewart, Royal Engineers and was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry in November 1886. He went to the Bengal Staff College in January 1890 and thence joined the 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs, in what was to be a long and happy commission to that famous unit.

Opening shots - Central Africa

His first campaign would take him to Central Africa with his unit from February 1895-January 1897. This period saw Stewart in the campaigns against Zarafia, Makanjira, Tambala and Chikusi, being in Command of his Column in the operations against the last two Chiefs.

During the Zarafi Expedition, on 18 August, together with Lieutenant Coape Smith, he was sent in command of 61 rifles (to include 21 Sikhs) to prepare a reconnaissance of the country to the south-east of Mangoche, returning to Chikala on 26 August '...having made a most useful reconnaissance' (TNA FO2/106, refers). During this time they reached Ulimbo Hill and were attacked by the Nyambi on 22 August and had taken and destroyed Manolo (Nyambi's town), with the loss of one wounded. They continued to push on and attacked Batamira. Having returned, they set off again on 3 September and reached the hill at Sakalu, which was found to be held by Zafari's troops. Having completed their tasks, the Force needed to make for Mangoche, the stronghold of Zarafi.

In this task, Stewart, together with Lieutenant Hamilton, with 150 rifles and a 7lb gun under an officer from the Gunboats, proceeded up the Lingardzi Stream to make a camp up-country. This camp was in part to distract Zarafi and to draw them onto his stockade which was erected at Likoro.

Stewart would go on to command his own expeditions having cut his teeth, especially that against the Chikusi. Forming up at Liwonde, the force totalled some 80 Sikhs, 50-60 Atonga under Lieutenant Alston, Grenadier Guards, two 7lb guns under Sergeant-Major Devoy, Royal Artillery and Dr Wordsworth Poole, Medical Officer in Charge. They pushed through '...appalling heat...As the sun gathered strength, the red, iron-impregnated path grew hotter and hotter. Where it was shaded, of course, it was bearable enough; but where the tree-tops parted, as they often did, the unhappy porters and bare-footed native troops were forced to make frequent detours under shelter of the forest to avoid foot-contact with the burning road surface.'

Their task was to push some 70 miles to Chikusi's main kraal. They made about 27 miles on the first day. They reached the Kirk range, knowing that their attack should have to go in at dawn, or before if at all possible. A night march was required, with Stewart at the head, to cover the final 20 miles in around seven hours:

'About 4am our path was blocked by a narrow but rapid river, and a good deal of time was lost in getting the guns and heavy loads over....As the light increased, we at length clearly made out the great kraal about a mile away. We had decreased the distance mentioned by about half when a great commotion in the kraal became audible. Horns were blown, shouts and whistles resounded from all quarters, and Chikusi's warriors in hundreds, in full war-costume of feather head-dressed, kilt-like moochis of monkeys' tails, and armed with their short stabbing-assegais and oval shields, fell in front of the town, and, intoning a sonorous chant, at once formed a long line of considerable depth slightly advanced at the flanks, and proceeded to push forward across the interval of open space which separated us to repel our attack.

The Sikhs under Stewart were in the centre, flanked by the Atonga, half under Alston on the left and the remainder with me on the right...Many of Chikusi's men were armed with muzzle-loading guns, and although the range was at first too great for anything like accurate shooting, their bullets began to reach us.

At about 400 yards Stewart's trumpeter sounded 'Commence fire', and we put in volley after volley all along our line, the men firing with excellent fire-discipline and marked effect, whilst the guns behind, raising their sights slightly, opened on the town with incendiary shell. At a distance of about 100 yards, our volleys, which continued to be delivered with great steadiness and result, began to produce their effect. The dense line of Angoni warriors wavered and hesitated. Observing this, there was a prompt and sharp call from Stewart's trumpeter, and our entire line sprang to its feet and charged with the bayonet. The Angoni, whose morale had for some little time been gradually evaporating, cast one glance at our glittering bayonets and wild-looking Sikhs, and group by group turned tail, retreating towards the kraal, now well alight.'

The enemy now put to flight and the main body of around 1,000 warriors, together with the Chief Chikusi and his headmen, had watched the whole engagement from a small eminence. As soon as they saw the results, they put to flight and crossed the Anglo-Portuguese border which laid not too far away. The village was burned. Stewart had shown a fine account of himself and whilst several of his comrades, plus the noble Sikhs of his unit, were 'mentioned', Stewart was overlooked for official reward.

Second innings - India

Returned to India, Stewart and his unit would see continued campaign service, in the operations in Banjaur, Mamund and the Bara Valley, 7-14 December 1897 (Medal & 2 clasps). He thence served in Waziristan in 1901-02 (clasp) and earned a 'mention' (London Gazette 8 August 1902, refers) for his troubles. Stewart was again returned to the Zakka Khel country in 1908 (Medal & clasp).

Great War - closing shots

Appointed Commandant of the 45th Sikhs on 24 April 1914, Stewart was made Temporary Brigadier in May 1915, serving with the 37th Infantry Brigade from 2-22 September. In January 1916, the 45th Sikhs finally mobilised for service in Mesopotamia and they sailed for Basra in March 1916. There they would join the 37th Infantry Brigade in the 14th Indian Division. Major Rattray was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 March 1916. On the 15 November 1916, Stewart was appointed to command the Defences Line of Communication No. 2 Section, and he left the following day for Amarah, before latterly being invalided back to India and also being Assistant Provost Marshal at Bombay. He died at Guildford, Surrey in December 1945; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£2500