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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 72

Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal, 1 clasp, Sobraon (Major Edwd. Bond 53rd Regt.), light contact marks and light contact wear, very fine

Provenance:
Buckland, Dix & Wood December 1992.

Edward Bond was commissioned Ensign with the 53rd Regiment of Foot on 8 March 1827, being further advanced Lieutenant with them on 16 September 1829. He spent most of his early career at home, was promoted Captain on 26 February 1836 and finally advanced Major on 31 March 1843. The next year the Battalion was posted overseas, going to India in 1844 where they were soon to see action.

The Battalion, including Bond, were at the affair of Buddiwal and later the Battle of Aliwal however their greatest contribution to the war was their part in the Battle of the Sobraon. This is well covered by Historical Record of the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment, which states:

''H.M.'s 10th and 53rd Regiments were honoured by being chosen to lead the attack with some Sepoy corps, the whole commanded by Sir Robert Dick; the position of the 53rd was on the extreme left, and lay concealed under cover of the dry bed of a river for about two hours, while a previous cannonade was kept up between the contending forces. The word was then given to the Left Division to advance, which they did in double time; and, though they were fired at with shot and shell with great precision, nothing stopped the advance till within about 200 yards of the entrenchments, when a large body of the enemy's cavalry moved out and threatened the left of regiment.

A heavy, well-directed fire of musketry and a few discharges of grape from a battery about 600 yards in rear compelled them to retire; the 53rd immediately following up with loud cheers and in full charge cleared the entrenchments of its defenders- being the first who did so. On nearing the entrenchments a battery of the enemy on the other side of the river opened fire, and by its first discharge killed Captain Warren, the senior Captain; the colours seemed a great object for the enemy to aim at, the two pike-staves being broken in the centre with musket balls and a number of men struck down near them. Lieutenant Lucas, who carried one of the colours, was wounded. The enemy's right being turned, they retreated into the river from all parts, followed up by the whole army- who kept up for an hour a most destructive fire of cannon and musketry on the retiring masses in the river. The victory was complete.'

Bond was transferred to the 39th Regiment of Foot after the war in May 1846, he finally retired in 1854 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and died at some stage between 1882-1886; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240