The Ghuznee and Sutlej campaign pair to Veterinary Surgeon Isaac Bicknell, Governor-General’s Body Guard

(a) Ghuznee 1839 (Vety. Surgeon J. Bicknell, Bengal Light Cavalry) contemporary engraved naming in the reverse field, fitted with an attractive wide silver bar suspension

(b) Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Aliwal, Sobraon (Vety. Surgn. J. Bicknell, G.G.B.G.) note initial ‘J’ on both medals, a common ocurrence at this period caused by confusion between the letters ‘I’ and ‘J’ when written in copper-plate, nearly very fine or better
£1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Issac Bicknell, the son of Isaac and Susannah Bicknell, was born in Somerset in September 1803. He trained at the Royal Veterinary College and was recommended to the Hon. Hugh Lindsay, M.P., for a post in the H.E.I.Co’s service by Professor Edward Coleman of the aforementioned institution. Having declared a preference for a posting in Bengal, where he had friends, Bicknell was appointed to the Bengal Establishment on 10 May 1828, and sailed for India exactly a year later, departing from Gravesend in the Juliana. He first acted as Veterinary Surgeon to the 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, but by 1838 was serving with the 2nd Light Cavalry. The following year he accompanied the Army of the Indus into Afghanistan and accordingly was present at the Siege and Capture of Ghuznee in July. He returned to India shortly afterwards to take up an appointment at the Hauper Stud on 25 October 1839. In 1842, he was appointed officiating Veterinary Surgeon to the Governor- General’s Body Guard. After sick leave of a year in Europe in 1844, Bicknell was permanently appointed to the Body Guard on 14 February 1845, and served with that corps during the Sutlej Campaign of 1845-46, being present at the Battles of Moodkee, Aliwal and Sobraon. Bicknell continued with the G.G.B.G. until 13 June 1851, and was advanced to 1st Class Veterinary Surgeon on 10 May 1865. He retired from the service on 11 March 1873.

Refs: Hodson Index (NAM); Historical Records of the Governor-General’s Body Guard (Hodson); IOL L/MIL/9/433 & 434.