Lot 80
A PRESENTATION 1822 PATTERN HEAVY CAVALRY SWORD.
A Victorian Heavy Cavalry Officers sword, with very clean 36.3/4" blade complete with its steel scabbard. VR under a crown above oak leaves, with scrolls on both sides of the blade. On the A side, Presented to John Hill Bombay Engineers by his friend John Forres Bombay Cavalry 24th November 1848. On the B side Mundee Ava Decbr 21st 1848. O God the Lord The Strength of my Salvation. Thou Hast covered my head in the Day of Battle. Psalm CXL 7th Verse.
John Hill became an Ensign on the 11th June 1834. Lieutenant 16th August 1843. Captain 13th June 1849. Major 2nd August 1854. Lt Colonel 4th December 1857. Colonel 6th March 1858.
He took part in the actions at Mandi Awa (Mundee Ava) which was commanded by Major General Whish and also operations against the enemy at Sidi-lal-ki-bed on the 27th December 1848. He was a Field Engineer with the Multan Field Force, during the Second Sikh War 1848-49.
Mandi Awa was a fortified mound, which British Forces captured with the surrounding suburbs. During the storming an artillery shell exploded showering a nine pounder with shrapnel. Lt Younghusband was killed and Lt Hill (Field Engineer) wounded
Lt John Forbes then a Captain served in Sind & Afghanistan 1841-42. (Ghuznee & Kabul Medal) Later in the Persian Campaign, where he was severely wounded at the Battle of Kooshab. He led the famous Charge of the 3rd Light Cavalry against the Persian Infantry, who had formed a square. (Medal & Clasp CB) Again during the Indian Mutiny Campaign with the Central Field Force. (Medal & Clasp) He retired as a General in 1886.
See Illustration
