Hyderabad 1843 (Serjt. G. Massey 1st T. H.A.) naming correctly impressed in serif capitals, fitted with original silver clip and bar suspension, nearly extremely fine and scarce £600-800

The medal for Hyderabad was awarded to 101 members of the 1st Troop, Bombay Horse Artillery.

Godfrey Massey was born at Kiteely, in east County Limerick, in about 1808. He was recruited into the H.E.I.C. forces at Rathkeale and attested for unlimited service in the Bombay Artillery on 15 November 1826, aged 19 and a clerk by trade. He was embarked for India in January 1827 and arrived at Bombay on 12 May 1827. In May 1834 he was transferred to the 1st Troop, Bombay Horse Artillery, and by the time of the Scinde campaign in 1843 had risen to the rank of Sergeant. This Troop was then commanded by Brevet Major John Thomas Leslie and played an important part in the battle of Hyderabad. The battle began with the 1st Troop moving diagonally across the battlefield in front of the infantry, halting, firing and re-mounting until they reached a position where they could engage the entire left flank of the enemy. It was during this stage of fire and movement that Lieutenant Smith was killed as he went forward to recce a gun position close to the enemy. He was the Troop’s only fatality of the battle. The sustained fire from the artillery weakened the enemy and allowed the cavalry on the right flank to charge; simultaneously the infantry, led by H.Ms. 22nd Regiment made a frontal attack on the enemy’s position. Leslie’s Troop, their artillery duties done, crossed the river under heavy fire and charged with the cavalry. Amir Shere Mohamed was heavily defeated, suffering over 4,000 casualties, whilst Napier’s losses numbered 39 killed and 231 wounded.

After the battle Leslie noted that ‘we descended down a steep bank and one of my trumpeters had gone ahead up the far bank and seized a banner amidst a hail of bullets. Waving the banner he shouted “this way” and led the Troop in support of the infantry.’

General Napier later wrote that the battle was decided by the Troop of Horse Artillery and Her Majesty’s 22nd Regiment. On 11 April 1843, the Governor General in India directed that ‘after the merits of the Troop during its service in Afghanistan and India, for the many long marches that it had completed, especially the one to join Napier’s forces at Hyderabad, it should hereafter be denominated the 1st or Leslie’s Troop of Horse Artillery and shall in addition to the appointments of Hyderabad and Afghanistan bear the Eagle.’

Sergeant Godfrey Massey died of unknown causes at Poona on 24 March 1845.

Sold with various copied muster and description lists, and medal roll entry.