The Gwalior and Sutlej campaign pair to Private Thomas Brown, 16th Lancers, killed in their famous charge at Aliwal in January 1846

(a) Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Private Thomas Brown, H.M. 16th Lancers) fitted with original brass hook, this neatly pierced at the bottom

(b) Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846 (Thos. Brown, 16th Lancers) nearly extremely fine
£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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Thomas Brown was born in Hertfordshire and gave his trade on enlistment into H.M’s 16th Lancers on 5 October 1829 as ‘Shoemaker’. He fought during the Gwalior campaign in the action at Maharajpoor, and was killed in action at Aliwal on 28 January 1846.

With the British infantry deployed into line, the battle of Aliwal began with a smart cannonade from the Sikh guns. The village of Aliwal was the key to the enemy's position. Against this our attack was concentrated, and it was stormed and captured, the 53rd (1st Shropshire Light Infantry) leading the way. Major Lawrenson unlimbered his battery of Horse artillery within a short distance of the Sikh guns, and forced the Khalsa artillerymen to abandon their pieces. Sir Harry Smith now fell on the Left and Centre of the Sikh line, whilst the cavalry delivered several effective charges. The 16th Lancers on this day made history for their corps: 'Gallantly led by their death-despising officers, our troopers broke through the Sikh squares.' As the impetus of their charge carried them past the successive formations, the Sikhs flung themselves on the ground, and directly the squadrons had passed sent a volley of bullets after them. Three times the 16th repeated this attack, losing a hundred of their number in the effort, or nearly one-fifth of the total casualties on the British side during the action.

Thomas Brown’s Maharajpoor Star was sent to his father nine months later on 7 November 1846, and his name is commemorated on the 16th Lancers Aliwal memorial in the nave of Cantebury Cathedral.

Ref: Our Fighting Services (Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, VC); WO 25/1458.