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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 27

India General Service 1854-95, 4 clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Burma 1887-89, Burma 1885-7, Naga-1879-80 (806 Sepoy Tilbir Thapa (1st) 44th Bl. Infy.), clasps mounted in this order, good very fine

Naga 1879-80

In February 1875, a small detachment of the 44th [(Sylhet) Light Infantry] formed the escort to survey party in the Naga Hill, which was attacked without warning resulting in the death of eighty and fifty wounded, many who were defenceless coolies. On receipt of the news of the disaster, the 44th was deployed and a week spent scouring the country and destruction of villages implicated in the massacre until the culprits were captured.

Subsequent outrages by the Nagas continued against British interests until the Government of India was compelled to despatch an expedition against the Naga tribes in late 1879. The Expedition included the whole of the 44th and its two 7 pounder guns, which were recalled enroute for service in Afghanistan. Towards the end of November, an unsuccessful attack was mounted against the Naga stronghold at Konoma, which included the award of the Victoria Cross to Lieutenant RK Ridgeway, the Adjutant of the 44th, for his distinguished gallantry in the assault. However, the stronghold was evacuated by the Nagas during the succeeding night. There was now a lull in the fighting for several weeks, pending the arrival resupplies, transport and reinforcements, in competition with the requirements of the war in Afghanistan. Operations of a guerrilla nature followed until the Nagas finally sued for peace towards the end of March 1880. The Expedition also took its toll from fever, dysentery and 'Naga' sores as well as the mountainous terrain and lack of transport.

Burma 1885-87

During the summer of 1886, a force, which included a detachment of the 44th [Regiment Goorkha (Light) Infantry], advanced from Manipur and, after some fighting, occupied Tammu in the Kebaw Valley. In October 1886, the remainder of the Regiment proceeded to the front, and until March 1887, was engaged in the pacification of the surrounding country, constantly clashing with dacoits.

The Indian Medal with clasp "Burma 1885-87" was issued to all troops and in 1889, the battle honour "Burma 1885-87" was authorised. At long last a battle honour was ours, a pleasant experience, for despite nearly sixty years of frontier fighting the Regiment had nothing to show.

Burma 1887-89

In November 1888, the Headquarters Wing, 44th [Regiment Goorkha (Light) Infantry], left Manipur to reinforce the Bengal troops serving in Burma and joined the Chindwin Field Force at Kanballay; several encounters with dacoits, and hard marching ensued.

N. E. Frontier 1891

Following a revolution in Manipur in September 1890, which resulted in the Maharaja being deposed by his brother (the self-appointed Commander-in-Chief or Senapati of the Manipur Army), the Chief Commissioner for Assam, with an escort of 400 Gurkhas from the 42nd and 44th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiments of Bengal Infantry, proceeded to Imphal towards the end of March 1891 for the purpose of settling the affairs of the State and arresting and deporting the Senapati. However, the arrival of the Commissioner and his Escort at Imphal was violently resisted and resulted in open hostilities forcing a withdrawal of the Commissioner and his Escort to the British Residency. Later the same evening, the Commissioner, the Escort Commander and another British officer were invited to a meeting in the former Maharaja's palace by the Senapati, where they were seized and barbarously put to death by the insurgents. The Residency was now under increasing attack and with ammunition running low, the Escort was forced to withdraw, in some disorder, in small parties. With the alarm raised, a force comprising three columns was formed, which included one from Kohima and another from Cachar, both of which had sizable contingents from the 44th. These two columns reached Imphal towards the end of April 1891, the enemy having offered little resistance. With the re-occupation of Imphal, the Manipur revolt was brought to an end and the leaders responsible for the murder of the Commissioner, the Escort Commander and another British officer were duly tried and executed.


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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£170