Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A fine K.C.B. and early Indian campaign group awarded to General Sir Charles Foster, 16th Lancers, who commanded the regiment as Lieutenant-Colonel, 1859-62, and was Colonel of the regiment 1886-96

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s set of insignia comprising neck badge in 18 carat gold, hallmarked London 1877, complete with fill neck cravat and gold fitments, and breast star in silver, gold and enamels, reverse fitted with gold pin for wearing; Ghuznee 1839 (Lieutenant C. J. Foster, H.M’s 16th Lancers) named in running script in reverse, fitted with ring and gilt swivel suspension; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Lieutenant C. J. Foster H.M’s 16th Lancers) fitted with gilt swivel suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846 (.... C: J: Foster 16th L....) fitted with ring and gilt swivel suspension, the ribbon with privately made slide clasp ‘Sobraon’, rank and part of regiment illegible due to severe pitting from star, these two fine only, the Ghuznee nearly very fine, the K.C.B. set good very fine (5)
£3500-4500

Charles James Foster was born in 1818 and gazetted a Cornet in the 16th Lancers in 1836; Lieutenant, 1838; Captain, 1847; Major, 1852.

Foster served in the first Afghan campaign, the Gwalior campaign, and the first Sikh War, being present at the storm of Ghuznee (medal), the battle of Maharajpore (bronze star), the action at Budiwal, the battle of Aliwal, where he was A.D.C. to Brigadier-General Cureton, and the battle of Sobraon (medal with clasp). He transferred to the 3rd Light Dragoons in 1855, becoming Lieutenant-Colonel in 1857. He transferred to the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1858, and exchanged from that regiment to the 16th Lancers in 1859 with Colonel Pattle. Advanced to Colonel in 1861, he went on half-pay in 1862; Major-General, 1868; Lieutenant-General, 1879; General, 1885.

Foster was a Member of the Indian Council from 1878 to 1889. He was appointed Colonel of the 21st Hussars in 1882 and transferred to the Colonelcy of his own regiment, the 16th Lancers, in 1886, vice General Shute. He was appointed C.B. in 1877 and advanced to K.C.B. in 1893. Foster died on 11 February 1896, and was buried at Kensal Green.

General Foster was celebrated for his extreme coolness. This was well exemplified by a story told of him in one of his duels in India. The offence for which he had been called out necessitated his receiving three shots without returning the fire of his adversary, according to the usage of the time. His opponent fired and missed him three times whereupon Foster, saying he was tired of standing up, insisted on a chair being brought for him to sit on. He then actually received a fourth shot sitting down, firing again himself in the air, when the seconds stopped the duel. It is believed that he fought three duels during his career in India.