A superb group of five medals awarded to Colonel Michael Dawes, Bengal Artillery

Ghuznee 1839 (1st Lieutt. Michael Dawes, Arty.) on 1st type ribbon; Cabul 1842 (1st Lieutt. Michael Dawes, Arty.); Defence of Jellalabad 1842, ‘Flying Victory’ (1st Lieutt. Michael Dawes, Arty.); Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Capt. Michael Dawes, Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Capt. & Bt. Lt. Col. Michl. Dawes, 1st Bde. Bengal H. Art.) first four are later replacement issues with similar style privately impressed naming; first three with swivel silver straight bar suspensions; all with individual silver buckle brooch bars, medals in fitted leather case, 306 x 160 x 22mm., with silver label on lid, ‘Lt. Colonel Dawes, Bengal Artillery’, case scuffed; medals with some edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (5) £4000-5000

Michael Dawes was the son of Daniel Butler and Elizabeth Dawes, of Winchelsea, Sussex. He was baptised in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 13 March 1813. Was an Addiscombe Cadet, February 1828-December 1829 before being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 11 December 1829. Served as Acting Adjutant and Quartermaster of the 2nd Battalion Artillery, January 1834. He was promoted to Lieutenant in June 1838 and served in the First Afghan War 1838-42, being present at the capture of Ghuznee; the forcing of the Khurd Kabul and and Jagdalek Passes; the taking of Mamu Khel; the defence of Jellalabad; Mamu Khel; Jagdalek; Tazin, and the re-occupation of Cabul. As a Lieutenant in the 2nd Company, 6th Battalion Bengal Artillery, he was awarded medals for Ghuznee, Jellalabad and Cabul (London Gazette 10 June; 9 August; 11 October 1842). On furlough, March 1843-45. With 1st Troop Horse artillery, 1842-46. Promoted to Captain in July 1847. Served in the Second Sikh War 1848-49 as Captain commanding the 3rd Company 1st Foot Artillery, seeing action at Chilianwala, where he was wounded, and at Goojerat - awarded the medal with two clasps and granted the brevet of Major in June 1849. He commanded the 3rd Troop 1st Brigade Horse Artillery, 1849-57 and was granted the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1854. During the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, he served in operations in the Punjab, about Delhi; Agra and Doab and was awarded the medal. Lieutenant-Colonel Dawes retired on 1 January 1858 with the rank of Honorary Colonel. He was appointed a Companion of The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (C.S.I.) in 1870.

Michael Dawes was married firstly in Dublin, 17 June 1845, to Louisa, 5th daughter of Rev. John Burdett, of Cushcallow, King’s Co., Rector of Ballygarth, Co. Meath - she died on 15 September 1857, and secondly in Chester, 8 May 1862, to Harriett Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir William Fitzroy, K.C.B., Admiral, R.N. and grand-daughter of the 3rd Duke of Grafton - she died on 14 July 1875. Colonel Michael Dawes died on 30 May 1871.

His original First Afghan and Second Sikh War medals were probably lost during the upheavals of the Indian Mutiny.