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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 14

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (Lieut. A: W: Lyster. 1/3d. Gurkha Rifles.), suspension re-affixed and suspension slack, very fine

Arthur Walterl Lyster formerly held a commission in the 1st West India Regiment and was made Lieutenant, 8 March 1876, Captain, 8 March 1887 and Major, 8 March 1896. Transferred to the Indian Staff Corps, 33 Native Infantry, 8 March 1876, he was made Wing Officer in the 3rd Goorkha (Rifle) Regiment, 1 July 1882, being made Adjutant on 28 October 1883. He was Wing Commander, 15 January 1891, and officiating Second-in-Command, 1st Battalion 3rd Goorkha (Rifle) Regiment, 1893. Confirmed Wing Commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Goorkha (Rifle) Regiment, 3 March 1895, he retired on 10 April 1898, having seen active service in Burma and on the Chitral Relief Force.

INSURBORDINATION - 3rd GOORKHA REGIMENT 1886

An incident occurred in April 1886 during the annual inspection of the 3rd Goorkha Regiment at its home station, Almora, by the District Commander; at that time, Lieutenant AW Lyster was Adjutant . Since 1883, the Regiment had drawn compensation for dearness of provisions and for a better quality of rice than the men actually consumed, the consequence being that the Gurkha received a larger money allowance than they were entitled to under regulations. Upon the changeover of Regimental Commanders in 1885, this was brought to the attention to the Authorities and the allowance provided was dramatically reduced. This led to discontent by the Gurkhas, and resulted in 'a great commotion among the privates of the Regiment and a strong mustering in a tumultuous manner, throughout the companies during the Regiment's annual inspection'. This unrest continued through the ensuing night and until the Inspecting Officer conducted interviews the following day to hear of the complaints; and who recorded that 'the Regiment was at present in a bad state of discipline, but that the worst had probably happened'. The Inspecting Officer wrote his report; a Regimental Court of Inquiry was conducted; a Court Martial convened to try and sentence the ringleaders; the Commander was replaced; the Subedar-Major sent on early pension; and Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India informed of the incident and outcome.

BURMA 1886-87

Following unrest in the 3rd Goorkha Regiment, the subsequent removal of its Commander and Subedar-Major and the sentencing of four Gurkha soldiers to terms of imprisonment with hard labour, the Regiment was ordered to proceed to Burma, in July 1886, on active service and a fresh start. During its move to Rangoon by rail and steamer, it suffered from recurring outbreaks of cholera, resulting in the deaths of twenty two Gurkha soldiers and three followers. Although the war in Burma had officially been brought to an end, lawlessness by armed bands had broken-out. The 3rd Goorkhas therefore took part in a series of expeditions throughout upper Burma to help pacify the country. It returned to India In April 1887 and was awarded the IGSM54 clasp BURMA 1885-7 and the Battle Honour BURMA 1885-87.

RELIEF OF CHITRAL 1895

At the beginning of April 1895, 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Regiment (2-3GR) joined the Reserve Brigade of the Chitral Relief Force. This was its first operational deployment since being reconstituted in 1891 as an all Gurkha battalion. The Reserve Brigade initially concentrated at Nowshera, the railhead and mounting base for the Force. In mid-April, the Brigade moved to Mardan, one day's march from Nowshera, in order to be better placed to counter any possible unrest amongst the tribes. In June, 2-3GR moved up to the Malakand; the rest of the Brigade remaining at Mardan until August 1895, when it was broken-up on conclusion of the Chitral campaign. 2-3GR did not take part in any fighting during the campaign, but because it had crossed the Administrative Boundary into tribal territory, it was awarded the Battle Honour CHITRAL and the India Medal 1895 clasp RELIEF OF CHITRAL 1895.


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Sold for
£170

Starting price
£70