Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Captn. F. C. Tombs 18th Bengal N.I.) toned, nearly extremely fine £500-£700

Frederick Cooper Tombs was born at Calcutta on 8 February 182, son of Major-General J. Tombs, 6th Bengal Light Cavalry, and Mary, an elder brother to Sir Henry Tombs, V.C., K.C.B., Bengal Horse Artillery (see Dix Noonan Webb sale, 6 December 2017).

Frederick Tombs was educated at Soton & Mayer, Wimbledon, and was gazetted Ensign in the Bengal Army on 9 December 1837; Lieutenant, 12 April 1848; Captain, 7 June 1854; Major, 10 June 1861; Lieutenant-Colonel, 25 March 1862.

Lieutenant-Colonel Tombs served in the Punjab campaign of 1848 and 1849, and was present at the siege and surrender of Mooltan and the battle of Goojerat (Medal and clasps). Served in the Indian Mutiny as Field Pay Marshal at Lucknow.

‘Captain F. C. Tombs, 18th Native Infantry. Field Pay Marshal. Was present at Benares when the native troops mutinied on 4 June 1857, at Futteghar and siege and capture of Lucknow. Dated 5 September 1859. Calcutta.’ (Indian Mutiny medal roll L/MIL/7/77 Folio 181.’ Record of an officer of the late 18th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry who was employed in the suppression of the Mutiny in India.’ refers)

‘Not long before his death, Hodson had applied to the paymaster, Captain F. C. Tombs, for two months’ pay for his regiment. General Mansfield, then Chief of Staff to Sir Colin Campbell, had sanctioned the application. At Hodson’s request the sum of Rs. 60,000 was paid to him in the shape of bills on Calcutta, for which at that time there was great demand among the upcountry bankers. “That they were duly paid”, writes his brother, “all allow... It is perhaps needless after this to say that it can be proved that no such sums came into the hands of his bankers at Calcutta or was found by his executors”.’

Lieutenant-Colonel F. C. Tombs died at Long Marston, Bishopsteignton, South Devon, on 22 May 1905.