Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 146

x Defence of Jellalabad 1842, 1st ´Mural Crown´ type, edge engraved in upright serif capitals ´Major. T. Seaton 35th Bengal N.I.´, very fine, pierced for ring and straight bar suspension Estimate £ 800-1,200 Major-General Sir Thomas Seaton, K.C.B. (1806-76), of Ackworth House, East Bergholt, Suffolk; commissioned Ensign Indian Army 1823; posted 35th Bengal Native Infantry the following year; served with the regiment at the siege and capture of Bhurtpoor (entitled to Army of India, with Bhurtpoor clasp); Lieutenant 1824; Captain 1834; served during the 1st Afghan War, 1839-42, was present at the forcing of Khurd Kabul and the Jagdalak Passes, and the defence of Jellalabad, 7.4.1842; commanded the 35th Native Infantry from 16.4.1842 during the different engagements leading to the re-occupation of Kabul by Pollock´´s force (C.B.; entitled to Cabul Medal, twice Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 11.2. and 24.11.1842); served as Brigade Major at Agra, 1844-51; advance Lieutenant-Colonel 1857; commanded the 35th Native Infantry at Sialkot, January 1855-May 1857; appointed in the same position for the 60th Native Infantry at Ambala, 15.5.1857; the regiment mutinied a month later at Rhotak and Seaton and several other officers managed to escape with their lives and flee to Delhi; he was severely wounded during the siege of Delhi, 23.7.1857, when he was struck by a bullet in the chest whilst helping two men to carry a wounded Captain called Low; W.S.R. Hodson, of Hodson´´s Horse fame, galloped off to get a Surgeon to treat him, it would appear that Seaton and Hodson were great friends, ´´Hodson´´s care for me I shall never forget. He watched and tended me with the affection of a brother he anticipated all my wants, prevented me from speaking (according to the doctor´´s orders) and carefully excluded everyone from the tent..... All through the siege of Delhi we had shared the same tent.... he was the very perfection of a commander of irregular cavalry... His untimely death was a calamity to our country, and I mourned for him as for a brother´´ (From Cadet to Colonel, written by the recipient refers); Seaton served at Patiali, Mainpuri; Commanded the 1st European Fusiliers after he had recovered from his wound and was later appointed Brigadier Commanding at Futtygurh during the siege of Lucknow, and from the Fort at Futtygurh he successfully led an attack on rebels at Kunkur (K.C.B.); retired Major-General 3.6.1859; died in Paris.

Sold for
£1,300