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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 29

The Army of India Medal awarded to Captain E. C. Archbold, 8th Light Cavalry and Governor-General's Bodyguard, who was wounded in action at Kokein in December 1824 - his Medal also represents a unique combination to a European Cavalryman

Army of India 1799-1826, 2 clasps, Bhurtpoor, Ava, short-hyphen reverse (Lieut. E. C. Archbold, 8th Lt. Cavy.), officially impressed naming, very fine

Approximately 14 Medals with this clasp combination, and the only one to a European cavalryman.

Provenance:
Spink, November 1992.

Edward Cook Archbold was born at Gibraltar in November 1800. Commissioned Cornet in May 1820, he was posted to the 8th Light Cavalry in September 1820 and appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General in October 1823. He next served with the Governor-General's Bodyguard from November 1823, was promoted Lieutenant in May 1824, and was appointed Extra-Assistant to the Resident at Nagpur in July 1824.

During the First Burma War of 1824-25 he served with the Governor-General's Bodyguard, and was wounded at Kokein, on the banks of the Irrawaddy near Rangoon on 15 December 1824. On that day the enemy forces of 25,000 men were attacked by 1,500 troops- without artillery- under General Willoughby Cotton and routed with enormous loss.

Returning to Calcutta in February 1825, he re-joined his parent unit and took part in the Siege, Storming and Capture of Bhurtpoor, from 10 December 1825-18 January 1826. Archbold was appointed Deputy Paymaster at Benares in January 1828, Sub Assistant Commissary General in June 1828 and he was promoted Captain, May 1835. He retired in February 1836 and died at Brighton in January 1867.



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Estimate
£1,600 to £2,000

Starting price
£1400